Dog bites are an unfortunately common occurrence in the United States, with over 4.5 million people bitten each year according to the CDC. In New York State specifically, over 6,000 residents seek medical care annually for animal bite injuries.
Getting bitten by a dog can be a traumatic and dangerous experience. At the Porter Law Group, our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling dog bite cases if you were bitten by a dog in New York. We understand the physical and emotional toll these incidents take.
Here’s an overview of the key steps you should take after suffering a dog bite injury.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The first priority after any animal bite should be getting prompt medical care. Under New York Public Health Law § 2164, healthcare professionals are required to report animal bites to local authorities.
Seeing a doctor quickly serves several important purposes:
- Treating injuries – Dog bites often cause lacerations, puncture wounds, bruising, infections, and other trauma. Receiving timely treatment can help minimize the risk of complications from bite wounds.
- Creating a record – Your medical report will document details about the bite and your injuries. This record can support liability claims against dog owners.
- Preventing infections – Bite wounds can transmit rabies, MRSA, pasteurella, and other serious infections. Doctors can provide antibiotics and other care to help prevent disease transmission.
Do not delay seeking emergency care, even for wounds that seem minor at first. The full extent of bite damage may not be immediately apparent.
Identify the Dog and Owner
If possible to do at this point, figure out where you got bit and who was the owner of the dog.
- Get contact details – Request the owner's name, address, and phone number. This information can support legal action if needed.
- Note physical description – Record the dog's breed, color, size, collar details, or other identifiable features. This may help animal control identify the animal if it flees.
If the at-fault dog owner is unwilling to provide their details or flees the scene, try to gather information from witnesses instead. You can also contact local law enforcement for assistance identifying the animal. Police reports carry legal weight as official records.
Report Bite to Authorities
For severe dog bites, New York State Agriculture and Markets Law §121 mandates formally reporting the incident to authorities. This involves filing a bite report with either:
- Local animal control
- Police department
Reporting serves multiple functions:
- Creates an official record documenting the bite
- Triggers an investigation into whether the dog is potentially dangerous
- Supports any legal liability claims against irresponsible owners
Do not wait to file a report!
Consult a Dog Bite Attorney
New York recognizes strict liability for many dog bite cases due to the court decision in Hastings v Sauve. This means owners can be held liable regardless of whether they knew the animal was dangerous.
Our experienced dog bite lawyer can help injured victims:
- Navigate New York's liability laws and legal process
- Pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages
- Meet statutes of limitations for filing personal injury claims
At the Porter Law Group, our attorneys have a proven track record with dog mauling cases. Contact us for a free consultation about your potential claim. We can discuss your options and timeline for action.
What Are the Laws for Dog Bites in New York?
New York's legal landscape for dog bites has evolved from the former "one bite rule." Under this earlier framework, owners could only be held liable if they knew the animal had dangerous tendencies prior to an attack.
However, a series of court decisions like Hastings v Sauve established strict liability statutes in their place. Key provisions include:
- No proof of owner's foreknowledge required – Plaintiffs no longer have the burden of demonstrating the owner was aware of the risk their dog posed. This makes cases much more straightforward.
- Limited exceptions – There are a small number of carve-outs to strict liability, such as for police and military working dogs acting officially at the time of a bite.
Overall, New York's current laws recognize that owners bear the main responsibility for properly managing dogs in their care. This provides important protections for bite victims.
How Do You File A Claim for a Dog Bite in New York?
Pursuing financial recovery after a dog attack involves several key actions:
Identify Liable Parties
Those potentially responsible for paying damages often include:
- The dog owner
- A landlord if the incident occurred on rental premises
- The property owner where the attack happened
Gather Evidence
Documentation that supports the claim should cover details like:
- Medical records confirming bite injuries and treatment
- Veterinary examination of the dog confirming dangerousness
- Photographs of wounds, the scene, property damage, etc.
- Witness statements about observing the attack
What Compensation Is Available?
For victims, possible economic and non-economic damages after a dog attack include:
- Lost income – If injuries from the bite cause you to miss work for recovery, you can claim lost wages.
- Medical bills – All expenses related to bite treatment, from emergency care to physical therapy.
- Pain and suffering – Financial compensation for trauma and emotional distress.
- Permanent disability – Awards involving bite-related long-term impacts like disability, disfigurement, or loss of limb function.
Pursuing the full scope of damages ensures you are made whole after the incident.
What To Do if Bitten by Guide or Police Dog?
If bitten by a guide, hearing, service, police, military or other working dog on duty, strict liability does not automatically apply under New York law.
Instead, you would need to prove:
- Negligence by the animal's handler or trainer, such as lack of reasonable precautions against a bite.
- Intent is also possible but challenging to establish in most cases.
Get Experienced Legal Help After a Dog Attack
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a dog bite, the dog bite attorneys at the Porter Law Group are here to help. Our team has extensive experience in New York handling cases just like yours.
We operate on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront fees for you. We are committed to protecting your rights under strict liability laws and pursuing maximum compensation for your damages.
Contact us at 833-PORTER9 or email info@porterlawgroup.com for a free consultation with our dog bite lawyers. We will review your case details and options for holding negligent owners accountable. We also work on a contingency basis, so there's no fee unless you win!
