Westchester Dog Bite Lawyer

You may be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Westchester County. Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. and our experienced Westchester dog bite lawyers can help you fight to maximize your financial recovery. We’ve been representing dog bite victims in New York for more than 40 years and understand how devastating these types of cases can be. You can rest assured that we’ll do everything in our power to get your family to compensation you deserve.

Our Westchester law firm offers a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to give us a call to arrange yours today. We’ll gladly review your case, provide a brief overview of your legal options, and answer any questions that you might have.

How Will Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. Help With My Westchester Dog Bite Injury Case?

Even friendly dogs can bite. It’s sad, but true. When a dog is aggressive, the owner must be held accountable. The experienced Westchester personal injury lawyers at Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. will work hard to make that a reality for you.

Together, we have more than 200 years of experience helping dog bite victims in New York. We take a dedicated and detailed approach to the cases we handle, which is why we can say that we’ve been able to recover more than $1 Billion for our injured clients. We get results, day in and day out, we’ll work tirelessly to do the same for you.

When you ask Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. for help after you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite in Westchester, we will:

  • Determine if the dog has a history of vicious or aggressive behavior
  • Identify any other people who might have been attacked by this dog
  • Investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack to figure out why it happened
  • Establish if and how the dog’s owner was negligent
  • Determine if anyone other than the dog’s owner might be liable for your injuries
  • Negotiate with at-fault parties and insurance companies for you, and
  • Work closely with leading accident and injury experts as we establish the value of your case.

We know that few things are more terrifying than getting attacked by a dog. It can take a while to recover from your physical injuries. Your emotional wounds may never fully heal. You’ll need time to focus on getting better. That’s why our Westchester dog bite attorneys will handle every aspect of your legal case. Just give us a call today to set up a time to speak with our team. As always, your initial consultation is free.

Dog Bite Facts and Statistics

Dog bites and attacks happen more frequently than you might think. Here’s a quick rundown of notable dog bite facts and statistics:

  • Roughly 4.7 million reported dog bites in the United States every year.
  • An average of 16 of these attacks are fatal.
  • Every year, 800,000 people seek medical treatment for a dog bite injury.
  • More than 5,700 postal workers were bitten by dogs in 2018.
  • Pitbulls, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are the breeds capable of causing the most harm, when considering bite force.
  • Half of all dog bite victims are children between the age of 5 and 9.

Following a dog bite, it’s important to make sure that you seek medical attention right away. Dog bites can cause extensive trauma that, if not treated promptly, can lead to infection and serious health complications.

Who Is Responsible For My Dog Bite Injuries?

It’s important to consider that someone other than the dog’s owner might be responsible for your injuries after an attack. In fact, under New York state law, anyone whose negligence contributes to your injuries can be held accountable.

Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. will carefully review the circumstances of your dog bite attack to identify all potentially liable parties, which could include:

When multiple parties are responsible for your injuries, our team will work hard to hold each and every one accountable. This approach can allow us to maximize the compensation we are able to recover on your behalf. 

New York Dog Bite Laws

Some states have “one bite” rules that allow dog owners to escape responsibility for their pet’s actions if the animal has no history of aggressive behavior. Other states say that owners are responsible for their dog’s actions, no matter what. New York’s dog bite law is a mixture of these two approaches.

  • Dog owners are strictly liable for medical bills related to a dog bite, regardless of that dog’s history of aggression, or lack thereof.
  • Dog owners are only strictly liable for other damages if they know or should have known that the animal has a history of aggressive behavior.

So, if you’re bitten by a dog in Westchester County, NY, you are always entitled to an award for your medical expenses. An owner will also be liable for additional damages if the dog that attacked you has been vicious or aggressive in the past.

Negligence vs. Strict Liability 

It’s important to note that you can potentially recover compensation for damages beyond your medical bills, even if the dog has never been aggressive before. New York’s law deals with strict liability. Strict liability means that an owner is responsible, regardless of the lengths to which they went to keep you safe. 

Strict liability isn’t the only way to recover compensation for your dog bite injury. You can also pursue damages if the dog’s owner was negligent. Specifically, the owner might liable for your injuries if they were negligent in taking care of the animal and you get hurt as a result. This is true, even if the dog has never demonstrated any vicious propensities.

Examples of negligence might include:

  • Not keeping the dog on a leash in a public space
  • Not keeping a dog in a fenced-in or enclosed area on private property
  • Raising the dog in an aggressive or antagonistic manner.

So, don’t think that you can’t recover compensation for more than your medical bills just because a dog has never been vicious in the past. Call Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. and have our experienced legal team to investigate your case. We’ll dig deep to find any possible grounds for recovering damages for your injuries.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dogs are powerful animals. They’re capable of causing very extensive and severe injuries. Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. is prepared to help you fight to recover damages for every single dog bite injury you or your loved one suffer. We represent dog bite victims in Westchester who have suffered injuries including:

  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Fractures
  • Lost limbs
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Face and eye injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Wrongful death, and more.

We know that, given the extent of your injuries, it might be tough to visit our Westchester County law office. That shouldn’t stand between you and the legal help you deserve. So, we can arrange a time to visit you at home, at the hospital, or wherever is most convenient. Contact our team today to learn more.

Damages Available to Westchester County Dog Bite Victims

A dog bite can take a serious toll on you and your family. Anyone who allowed this devastating attack to unfold should be responsible for the costs and pain you endure. Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. will work hard to secure all damages to which you are entitled under the law. This can include money for:

  • Medical bills, including corrective and/or cosmetic surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Lost wages
  • Disability
  • Loss of enjoyment of life, and more.

Many times, the damages stemming from a dog bite can be difficult to value. Things like pain, suffering, and PTSD don’t come with a price tag. Determining what they’re worth to you will take hard work. We’ll make sure that we get the expert input and insight we need as we work through the valuation process. We want to understand your injuries and how they could affect your life. With expert-backed evidence and testimony in hand, we can forcefully demand the compensation you deserve.

You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File Your Westchester Dog Bite Lawsuit

Once you’ve been attacked by a dog in Westchester County, you will have to act quickly if you want to recover compensation. The statute of limitations for these types of cases is typically three years. The clock will begin to run once you discover your injury. 

You might have more or less time to assert your rights, depending on the unique circumstances of your specific case. However, you will waive the right to recover anything, at all, if you wait too long. So, do not hesitate to call our experienced Westchester personal injury attorneys for help as soon as you can after you get hurt.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Westchester Dog Bite Lawyers

After a dog bite in Westchester County, Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C. can help you demand the monetary damages your family needs and deserves. Give our law office a call today to arrange a free consultation with our qualified legal team. You have a limited window of time to assert your rights, so call to get started now.