What Is the Average Payout for a Dog Bite?

The average settlement payout for a dog bite in New York State takes multiple factors into account, including:

• Injury severity
• The required medical treatment
• Whether the dog had a “vicious propensity,” i.e., a known history of aggressive behavior such as previous biting events, or growling, snarling and lunging.

The circumstances of the dog bite injury will affect the extent  of damages a victim is able to recover, based on New York State law.  For these reasons, because there is such an enormous variety of potential case circumstances, we focus our energy and resources on winning a settlement or verdict that addresses what happened to you. We eschew mere averages, that may have little or no relevance to what happened, very specifically, to you. While dog bites may happen frequently, the particular ways such an event affected your life are unique.  Winning a recovery that compensates you for those distinctive items of damage that you have experienced is our mission.

Monetary Compensation for Damages Are Recoverable in  New York Dog Bite Cases

Our legal team will  build your case to recover monetary compensation for all the harms you have suffered after you have been the victim of a dog attack. Among the types of damages that we will work tirelessly to win for you are the following:

• Emergency transportation and medical care
• Surgery to remove any contaminated tissue
• Stitches
• Pain medication and antibiotics
• Assistive devices, such as a wheelchair or crutch if the injury interferes with movement

Injury severity and type determine the kind of medical care needed and how much it will cost. When we represent you, our attorneys will account for procedures and treatment you have already received and estimate any further care you will need after the case settles.

For a free legal consultation, call (516) 932-0400

Negligent Dog Owners May Owe Additional Damages

Other damages are often available in personal injury cases - including those related to dog bites - as long as the victim can prove negligence. This legal concept refers to steps that a reasonable person in the same situation would or would not have taken for others’ safety. For example, if the dog owner was aware that their pet was aggressive, that is, that the dog had vicious tendencies, they should have taken reasonable steps to keep the animal away from others, whether by using a leash, fencing, a crate, or other means. Evidence that the owner was aware of this aggressive behavior, such as prior attacks, but did nothing to secure their dog could support such a negligence claim in your dog bite case In New York, failure to minimize the risk of harm in this type of case leaves at-fault parties open to liability for non-medical damages, such as:

• Property damage
• Pain and suffering from the dog bite and related injuries
• Wages missed during time off for recovery
• Diminished earning capacity if the injuries impair the victim’s ability to keep their current jobOur law firm will help you calculate the value of your dog bite settlement

When you hire an attorney from our firm to represent you after a dog attack, our legal team will explore the value of the case based on your damages and New York State law. Doing so will likely involve:

• Reviewing your medical records and discussing what your recovery entails
• Collecting statements and visual evidence from witnesses who saw the attack or knew of the dog’s aggressive tendencies
• Searching for any documentation of prior attacks
• Estimating your missed wages and future reduced income
• Assigning value to your pain and suffering

We will build a case to show whether the owner acted negligently, allowing their animal to get loose, and connect your injuries to the attack. Then, we will present the calculated case value and begin fighting for your damages. While the average payout for a dog bite typically comes in a settlement, our team will seek an award in court if necessary.

Reach Out for Help With Your Dog Bite Case in New York

Our team will help you understand what to do if a dog bites you and build a case to hold the dog owner responsible.. At Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., our compassionate, multilingual staff believes in providing accessible legal representation. We will meet you where you are and speak with you in your preferred language, whether English, Spanish, Bengali, Greek, Kannada, or Tamil. Call our office now to discuss your potential financial recovery in a free consultation: (516) 932-0400.

Call or text (516) 932-0400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form