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If someone has been bitten or injured by a dog, they want a knowledgeable Long Island dog bite attorney from The Law Office of Carl Maltese on their side to assist them with a free consultation to get the total and correct compensation for their injuries. An attack by a dog with vicious tendencies can leave a person with serious injuries, including loss of a toe or finger, permanent disfigurement, scarring, and excessive medical bills.
Individuals may need physical therapy, rehabilitation, plastic surgery, or long-term medical care, or they may require the necessary painful treatment for rabies. With some adults and small children, animal attacks can be fatal. Strict liability is upheld in these cases through the dangerous dog statute.
Personal injury is what the Long Island injury lawyers at The Law Office of Carl Maltese do. A passionate personal injury lawyer can understand the emotional trauma of a dog bite and can use their knowledge and skills to get the compensations victims deserve. In over two decades of practice, the law firm has successfully helped thousands of victims in Long Island and Nassau County with dog bite claims.
People can get a free consultation if they have been injured by an animal or dog attack in Long Island.
Safeguarding Long Island Dog Bite Victims for Over Two Decades
The Law Office of Carl Maltese handles all types of claims involving animal attacks and dog bites, including but not limited to:
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Injuries suffered on the dog's owner's property when someone was on the property as a reasonable person and was not aware of any risk of attack, or the dog was either not correctly restrained or was unrestrained.
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Damages sustained from dogs that are either not reasonably restrained or not restrained at all on public land, including parks, alleys, streets, and sidewalks.
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Injuries are sustained on a person's own property when a dog runs loose or has escaped and attacks them in Suffolk County.
The injuries suffered when a companion animal attacks someone can be among the most painful and horrific of all personal injuries. People can also face painful treatments that are required for rabies or infections in addition to serious scarring, disfigurement, or the loss of a limb.
If someone has muscle injuries or has been mauled and has to have plastic surgery to rebuild their other body parts or face, a Long Island dog bite lawyer can handle these cases in the supreme court. The lawyers can also govern wrongful death claims resulting from an animal attack and the owner's negligence at The Law Office of Carl Maltese.
A dog bite lawyer handles all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that the attorney won't charge any attorney fees unless they successfully recover compensation for the victim's injuries.
Rated a 5-Star Lawyer In Long Island
Alex Maltese and his firm are first class and they always made you feel as if you were their only client. The communication was always timely, professional and courteous. I can't thank them enough.
- Dina V.
You always know that the entire staff truly cares. I am extremely pleased with my settlement and thankful that they helped make an unpleasant experience more than bearable.
- John D.
Alex Maltese is a professional and compassionate attorney. I never felt as if I was a burden. He always answered my questions in a timely manner. The attorneys and staff are accommodating.
- Alex D.
What to Do After a Dog Attack in Long Island?
A person's first action after suffering a dog bite injury is vital. The adrenaline rush from the incident and the severity of their wounds will likely rattle them, but they should do their best the remember the following steps. This way, they have a better chance of securing compensation for their medical injuries, medical costs, and the unjustified imminent threat.
If an individual's injuries are life-threatening or severe, they need to call 911 immediately for medical attention.
Identifying the dog and its owner is the first thing someone should do after a dog's actions cause them harm. Taking a photo is possible since most Americans carry a smartphone. People need to record the contact information, address, and names of everyone involved in the incident. If there were witnesses nearby, it is crucial to obtain their input.
Someone will be more likely need to undergo a series of rabies shots if they cannot determine the person who should be held liable. When it comes to a dog bite incident with unidentified dogs, the risk of infection is very high.
Once a person obtains the information of those included, they must seek medical attention straight away. People must seek professional care to check for multiple injuries because dogs can cause various injuries in addition to bites. Dogs of any breed and size can cause extensive injuries, including but not limited to:
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Damage to the face. Dogs may bite a victim's nose and ears, damage the eyeballs, or disfigure other face parts. These injuries can leave permanent scarring and may necessitate multiple surgeries.
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Traumatic brain injuries. Falling to the ground or solid strikes and bites to the head can cause traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures. Traumatic brain injuries can range from life-threatening injuries to a less significant, very mild concussion. It is crucial to note that some degree of permanent damage comes with most traumatic brain injuries.
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Broken bones. Some bones can be broken by force when a large dog bites. A victim may suffer a bone fracture upon falling if a dog attack causes the person to drop.
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Some wounds. Claws or teeth can rip the skin and cause significant bleeding.
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Puncture wounds. Dog's teeth are typically too blunt to pierce the skin immediately, but their bites leave significant puncture wounds on victims because of their incredible strength.
After someone addresses their immediate medical attention concerns, they must secure a medical report from their attending physician that notes their injuries, treatment plans, recovery, and the possibility of long-term complications. This will be invaluable when a victim's dog bite lawyer wants to build a personal injury lawsuit against the Long Island dog owner.
Dog Bite Injury Reports
The next step for victims is to contact the correct county or city authority to file a dog bite report. These reports help create a paper trail if a dog attacks multiple people. Whenever someone files a lawsuit for a dog bite injury, their state's dog bite laws regarding the owner's liability come into play.
It dramatically increases future victims' ability to secure compensation for their injuries if a dog has been previously recorded biting people. After the dog and its owners have been identified, victims want to gather information about the dangerous dog. They can contact the appropriate authority to find more of the dog's records and obtain the dog license information.
Gathering More Evidence of the Dog Bite Injury
It is a good idea to try and photograph the person's injuries as soon as possible. If they can do so straight after an attack, it's essential to take more after receiving medical attention. This will help the court see the person's recovery and demonstrate the extent of their Long Island dog bite injuries.
Individuals should keep any personal belongings or damaged clothing from the dog bite incident and document them with photos.
Once someone has compiled all the evidence, they can concentrate on their medical conditions, the dog in question, and the extent of their damages; the person should contact a Long Island dog bite attorney as soon as they can. A dog bite lawyer specializing in dog bite lawsuits will be invaluable to their case as these laws vary from state to state. Professional representation is typically a wise choice since seemingly straightforward issues can quickly escalate to complex litigation.
Succeeding in personal injury lawsuits also hinges on filing the appropriate motions and meeting strict deadlines with the proper divisions of the court system. If someone fails to do so, it could result in the judge throwing their dog bite case out before it even has a chance to reach trial.
A dog bite lawyer can help people handle all the appropriate filings with the court and navigate their case with a free legal consultation. People have three years from the date of the dog bite injury to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages in the state of New York.
The New York Law and Dog Bites
All dog owners and victims of dog bite attacks must understand their state's law concerning dog bite injury liability. A strict liability rule is enforced in most states that say dog owners are liable for injuries or damages their dog causes.
Even if they made a reasonable effort to prevent the attack or mitigate harm to the victim, a dog owner is strictly liable for all the medical expenses incurred by the victim. It is important to remember that New York law states that owners are also accountable for attacks that kill or injure other domestic animals, service animals, pets, farm animals, or livestock without justification. Long Island follows the concept of a negligent dog owners' level of liability for all other types of damages.
The victim's attorney must prove the dog's owner was negligent in the handling and caring for the dog to collect damages beyond compensation for medical expenses. This concept especially applies to those with a documented history of past attacks or "dangerous dogs."
Proving negligence increases the plaintiffs' ability to confirm that the dog owner failed to handle the dog with reasonable care; this failure was directly related to the plaintiff's injuries. Additionally, the person must have suffered actual harm. If a dog attacked someone, but no real hurt or damage occurred, they have no case.
Caretakers or owners of "dangerous dogs" are required to take appropriate provisions against future attacks according to New York Consolidated Law plus Agriculture and Markets Law. This can include keeping the dog adequately enclosed while on the owner's property, muzzling and leading the dog on public property, and warning others of the dog's nature.
Compensation and Resources for Dog Bite Injury Victims
If the court finds a dog owner liable and negligent for a dog bite injury, the injured person will receive compensation for their medical bills and any other settlement deemed appropriate by the court. Other possible damages include but are not limited to the following:
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Permanent damages. The dog owner may be liable for the cost of continuing care, restorative surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care in the event the victim's injuries are permanently disfiguring or disabling.
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Pain and suffering. The Long Island dog bite attorney will generally call in witnesses to testify if an attack affected a sensitive body area or was particularly brutal. It may sound challenging to assign a dollar value to something like pain and suffering, but the judge will consider witness testimonies and the severity of the victim's injuries to determine an appropriate amount.
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Lost wages. Many times a person has to stay home due to a dog bite; they should be allowed to claim for loss of income. The individual can sometimes secure compensation for the lost wages they would have likely earned in the future.
Dog bite victims and owners should stay updated with their area's ordinances and laws concerning liability, dogs, and dog bites. Both dog owners and victims can find online resources covering various helpful topics after a dog bite incident.
People can also research various breed-specific laws in their area, search for liability insurance, go through their findings, and gather information from multiple organizations.
Defenses for Long Island Dog Owners
Dog owners are responsible for exercising caution and care when handling their dogs around other people. If the dog has a history of aggressive dog owners, they need to understand their potential liability for their actions.
However, unpredicted behavior can come from consistently well-behaved and most well-trained dogs. Other factors can aid a person's defense should their dog bite someone else, even though taking the proper precautions is the best way to defend themselves from future lawsuits.
Initially, it's imperative to remember that if a dog owner's dog attacks other people on their own property, they are only liable if the victim was legally present on the land. The law does not let intruders receive a settlement from dog owners on private property. In order to protect their owners and homes, the dogs in these circumstances are acting instinctively.
It is essential to check with the appropriate authority in their area as most local laws require dog owners to post warning signs about their dogs on their property's exterior.
The following possible line of defense is a provocation. Someone will most likely lose the lawsuit if the wounded plaintiff did anything to provoke the dog. The dog owner will more than probably avoid liability for the attack if someone's dog acts to protect its homeowner, home, or related dogs nearby. A case may be denied for other reasons if the injured party physically threatens, assaults, torments, or directly abuses the dog, and the animal retaliates.
Additionally, Long Island law allows dogs that attack to avoid being labeled dangerous dogs. K9 unit dogs injuring suspects while carrying out official duties are one consistent exception to the dangerous dog label.
Hiring the Right Dog Bite Lawyers
Every year 4.5 million people in the United States suffer a dog bite injury, and it sends more than 300,000 people to the emergency room. A hospital visit for a dog bite can end up costing victims up to $18,000.
Around 30% of victims require some form of reconstructive surgery, and most tragically, hundreds of people die each year due to animal and dog bites. Some of the most severe injuries a dog bite can cause include but is not limited to:
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Deformity
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Facial disfigurement
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Permanent scarring
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Rabies
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Bacterial infections
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Agoraphobia
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Post-traumatic stress disorder
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Nerve damage
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Broken bones
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Lacerations
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Punctures wounds
Dog bites are costly, severe, and painful. People getting compensation after a dog bite can be challenging and confusing under New York's mix of strict liability laws and negligence. It is crucial to learn more about the New York dog bite laws in order to have the upper hand in one of these cases.
Contacting a dog bite lawyer at The Law Office of Carl Maltese for a free consultation is one of the best things victims can do. If someone is suffering from Long Island dog bite injuries, they should look to open a dog bite case immediately.
Medical bills from Long Island dog bite attacks can amount to thousands of dollars and should not be the injured party's responsibility.
Come to The Law Office of Carl Maltese for a quality Dog Bite Lawyer on Long Island
The lawyers at The Law Office of Carl Maltese offer a free consultation to all people who have valid dog bite cases. These individuals must have sustained serious injuries through Long Island dog attacks; otherwise, they may not be eligible to file dog bite claims.
A negligent dog owner is responsible for paying for any damages the dog bite victim may have received through the "dangerous dog." New York law holds a strict liability policy for a dog bite claim. The Law Office of Carl Maltese understands the dangerous dog statute and can provide a unique attorney-client relationship.
These lawyers are used to handling dog bite cases and other serious physical injury claims caused by someone else's negligence. They can help victims recover compensation for the injuries caused by the domestic animal. People need to let attorneys handle their cases and recover damages for the unfortunate dangerous dog bite injuries they experienced.