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Spanish Dogs are famously man’s best friend. But when a dog bite attack occurs, these fluffy pets may appear less than friendly. If you have been bitten by a dog in New York City, it’s important to understand your rights to compensation. This is especially true if you’re left with injuries. Fortunately, a dog bite accident lawyer like those at Shaevitz & Shaevitz can help you navigate the legal process and assess the value of your case! Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be eligible for significant compensation, covering medical bills, lost wages, and even non-economic damages like emotional trauma. Book a free consultation with us in Queens, NY, to navigate a dog bite accident.
What To Do After a Dog Bite
After a dog bites you, seek medical attention right away. Whether it’s a simple bite on the hand or a full-blown attack, you should always have a medical professional take a look. They both provide you with essential medical care and document your injuries.
Whether it was you or someone else who was attacked, make sure to photograph any injuries and the scene. If you’re unable to, ask a witness or first responder to do so on your behalf.
Within 24 hours of the bite, reach out to your local animal control or the police to file a report. Not only does this go on a dog’s record, protecting others, but it also documents when the incident occurred.
After filing a report, we suggest contacting a dog bite accident lawyer to help you navigate the legal process. While one would hope the owners of the dog take responsibility, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, dog owners try to blame you, claiming you antagonized their pet.
With the help of an experienced lawyer, you can gather evidence to support your side of the story. Then, through settlement negotiations or court, we secure compensation for your injuries!
Breaking Down Your Dog Bite Accident Case
A dog bite accident case can be complex, making it essential to reach out to a lawyer for help. At Shaevitz & Shaevitz, we understand the complexities of the law and are ready to help you navigate the legal system!
There are two legal theories of liability in a dog bite case.
Strict Liability
If the dog has a known history of aggression, the dog’s owner may be strictly liable. Owners are responsible for their pets, especially when they fail to take precautions that would prevent accidents like this from occurring.
A history of aggression is a clear sign that their dog must be on a leash, kept in the backyard, or muzzled. Failure to take these precautionary steps shows a clear disregard for the safety of others. The owners of the dog knew (or should have known) an incident like this might occur, and acted accordingly.
Negligence
If the dog has no prior history of aggression, the owner may be negligent, rather than strictly liable.
According to the “one bite rule,” which some states, like New York, follow, dog owners are not necessarily liable for their dog’s first bite incident, unless there are prior signs of aggression. However, this rule has recently been modified. As of 2025, a failure to act responsibly may make the owner liable even after just one bite. If the dog isn’t cared for responsibly, a dog bite may be the fault of a negligent owner.
The ability to prove negligence all depends on the details of your case and how we gather evidence to represent your interests!
How a Dog Bite Accident Lawyer Helps
After a dog bite accident, many clients like you find themselves injured, out of work (either temporarily or permanently), and facing permanent marks or disfigurement. As your dog bite accident lawyers, we are responsible for gathering evidence and representing your case.
Pictures of the scene and your injuries, medical records, witness statements, and official reports all help build your case. Depending on the extent of your injuries, we may even be able to file a claim for non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.
Dog attacks can leave clients with PTSD, feelings of intense anxiety, and even a fear of dogs that wasn’t there previously. These damages may also be eligible for compensation, as they’re a result of the owner’s negligence.
The only way to know what your case is worth is to contact a dog bite accident lawyer for a free case review.
Bitten by a Dog in NYC? Hire a Dog Bite Accident Lawyer in Queens!
If you’re bitten by man’s best friend, you don’t have to go through it alone. At Shaevitz & Shaevitz, we help you collect evidence, build your case, and represent your interests! Whether you’re dealing with just one bite or a devastating attack, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
Book a free consultation today to learn about the potential value of your case!
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