Pet ownership grows more popular every year, with approximately 69 million U.S. households including a dog. While dogs make great companions, attacks have also become a frequent problem on Long Island. Dog bites can result in severe injuries, limb amputation from infection or even death.
If you were the victim of a dog attack, it’s important to consult a Long Island personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The skilled and experienced team at Trantolo & Trantolo can help win the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Where Do Dog Bites Occur on Long Island?
Dog bites commonly take place in public, including at parks and on the street. A dog may not be properly restrained or act aggressively when approached. Injuries can also occur on private property when a guest is visiting someone’s house or a delivery is made. If the person was not aware of the presence of a dog on the premises or it was improperly restrained and escaped, bites can occur.
What Should You Do After a Dog Bite Injury?
After suffering a dog bite, there are several important steps to take. First, seek medical attention right away to ensure your injuries are properly treated and documented. You may need to receive a rabies shot to prevent this disease.
Also obtain the dog owner’s contact information and file a dog bite report, which can help support your claim if the dog has a recorded history of attacks. Previous incidents can significantly increase your ability to secure damages.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
There is a big difference between a playful bite that barely grazes the flesh and one that breaks the skin. Puncture wounds have an inherent risk of infection. Serious bites can lead to significant injuries, especially if untreated, including:
- Nerve damage
- Lacerations
- Scarring
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of sensation
- Emotional trauma and PTSD
How Can Owners Prevent Dog Bites?
At Trantolo & Trantolo, we are dog lovers but when our four-legged friends become aggressive, people can get seriously hurt. If you’ve been involved in a dog attack, you know how painful and scary the experience can be.
Contrary to popular belief, any dog breed can become hostile under the right circumstances. What can you do to prevent your dog from acting aggressive and potentially biting someone?
- Socialize your puppy from an early age, so they know how to safely interact with people and other dogs or pets.
- Provide your dog with plenty of opportunity for exercise, so they don’t become frustrated or restless.
- Dog training from a qualified professional can help your dog learn to be friendly, obedient and live peacefully with people.
Who’s Responsible for a Dog Attack?
When an animal causes personal injury, its owner can be held legally responsible. A number of factors need to be considered when determining whether the dog owner was responsible or if the person bitten provoked the attack.
On Long Island, the victim must prove the owner knew or should have known their dog had vicious tendencies before the attack occurred. Our experienced team will thoroughly investigate the incident to determine whether the dog had vicious propensities. If the dog had no history of aggression, the dog owner may not be held liable.
Request a Free Case Evaluation
Our Largest Dog Bite Settlements
Trantolo & Trantolo has over 80 years of experience representing dog bite victims. Our attorneys have secured settlements as large as $750,000! Explore our most impressive awards for dog bite clients.
Several Of Our Dog Bite Lawsuit Results
| Award Amount | Type of Case |
|---|---|
| $750,000 | A dog attacked a child while riding his bicycle. The child was dragged to the ground and bit on the arm and head, requiring surgery. |
| $422,018 | Client was bitten by two dogs. This attack resulted in our client having significant injuries which required surgeries and the need for physical therapy. |
| $300,000 | A dog attacked a child and bit him on his thigh. The child suffered emotional trauma and needed surgery for his injury. |
| $290,000 | A dog attacked our client while she was riding her horse. The startled horse threw the rider to the ground, causing significant injuries that required surgery and left scars. |
| $275,000 | A dog bit our client in the face while she was visiting at her neighbor’s home. Our client was hospitalized and suffered scarring from the bite. |
Dog Bite Laws in New York State
New York has a “one bite rule”, which can let the owner off the hook for their dog’s first offense if they were unaware the animal might cause someone harm. The state also handles dog bite cases under “strict liability” and negligence, which holds the owner liable for the resulting medical costs of an attack if they should have known of their dog’s “vicious propensity”. This may include growling, teeth baring or charging.
It can be difficult to prove strict liability when the owner challenges the victim’s account of the incident. That’s why you need an experienced dog bite attorney to navigate the often confusing legal landscape of these cases on Long Island.
Why Hire a Long Island Dog Bite Attorney?
At Trantolo & Trantolo, the dedicated legal team assigned to your case will gather all relevant information needed to prove liability. Our dog bite attorneys will show the dog owner had a duty of care to ensure their animal was properly controlled and let others know of any history of aggression. We’ll also work to prove the owner acted carelessly, which directly resulted in your dog bite injuries.
The consequences of a dog bite injury often extend beyond the initial medical treatment received. An attack can leave the victim in need of physical therapy, rehabilitation, plastic surgery or long-term medical care. An experienced attorney will fight back against the insurance company to maximize compensation for your long-term pain and suffering.
Contact Trantolo & Trantolo Today
Our compassionate team understands the trauma these accidents can cause. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite, Let Our Family, Help Your Family™.