Dogs make excellent pets and have earned the title of our best friends. However, when a dog owner fails to exercise adequate control over a dog known to be prone to viciousness, injuries can and often do occur.
If someone else’s dog has injured you or someone you love, don’t wait to reach out for the skilled legal guidance of an experienced Buffalo dog bite lawyer from our team at Steve Foley Law Firm.
We have over 75 years of combined legal experience, and we’re ready to fight for you. Contact a Buffalo personal injury lawyer now and discuss your next steps.
Why Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Buffalo, NY?
Hiring a personal injury attorney after a dog bites you means you‘ll have someone on your side to provide legal support and help secure maximum compensation for your losses. Our team offers dog bite victims personalized and dedicated support.
Based on your needs, we may focus on:
- Giving you clear answers to your legal questions
- Explaining what to do after an animal attack
- Gathering evidence to establish liability
- Handling communications with the dog owner and insurance representatives
- Negotiating for a fair insurance settlement
- Helping you with a lawsuit when necessary
We take incidents involving dangerous dogs in Western New York seriously. You can reach out now to learn more about the services we can offer you in this situation.
We get to work quickly because we know you have limited time to seek compensation after an animal attack. We’ll review your situation, explain upcoming deadlines, and work tirelessly on your behalf.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Buffalo, call 716-249-2222
Your Compensation After a Dog Bites You
If an animal attacks and injures you, you may qualify for funds to pay for your economic and non-economic damages, including your:
Medical Expenses
Dog bites often require immediate medical attention and can result in serious infections, permanent scars, and, in some cases, fractured bones and nerve damage. Serious dog bites often require skin grafts and subsequent plastic surgery.
We believe the liable party should have to cover all of your medical bills.
Lost Income
Your injuries may require you to miss a lot of time at work. A dog bite attorney in Buffalo can push to ensure you get money to cover your lost wages and reduced earning potential when appropriate.
Pain and Suffering
After an animal attack, you may find yourself dealing with emotional distress, mental anguish, and physical pain. The party responsible for the dog bite incident may need to cover these non-economic losses.
Buffalo Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 716-249-2222
Dog Bite Laws in New York
Under New York law, to prevail on a dog bite claim, the person attacked must prove that the dog had vicious propensities and that the dog’s owner knew or should have known about such propensities. Propensities include a tendency to act in ways that might endanger the safety of others’ persons and property.
Evidence that can prove that a dog has vicious propensities includes:
- A previous attack
- The dog’s tendency to growl, snap, or bare its teeth
- The way an owner restrained the dog
- A proclivity to act in a way that puts others at risk of harm
Once a dog demonstrates vicious propensities, the dog owner or any other person who may have harbored the dog is strictly liable for all damages caused by the vicious dog.
Behavior such as barking at strangers or other passersby, and other normal canine behavior, will not support a claim of knowledge of vicious propensities.
Ordinary Negligence and Dog Bite Claims
New York law also allows victims to recover under a theory of ordinary negligence where the person responsible for the dog failed to exercise due care under the circumstances that caused the injury
Does Breed Matter for New York’s Dog Bite Laws?
A dog’s breed is not a relevant factor in determining vicious propensities. An experienced and skilled attorney who has handled many dog attack cases knows how to establish vicious propensities effectively so that their client can successfully recover all their economic and non-economic damages.
Negligence Beyond a Dog’s Owner
Under New York law, not only can a dog’s owner be held responsible for the dog’s vicious propensities, but the legal theories of strict liability and negligence also apply to any person who harbors or provides a home to the vicious dog, if he knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious propensities or was careless in restraining the dog.
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Dogs Have Powerful Jaws and Are Often Unpredictable
The power behind a dog’s bite can be immense, and even a small dog can do serious damage. To make matters more dangerous, dogs are unpredictable.
While a pup’s owner may have a keen understanding of what triggers them, outsiders generally don’t, and a dog owner who fails to keep their pet under control can be liable for any injuries that ensue.
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Turn to Us After an Animal Attack in Buffalo, NY
Our seasoned Buffalo dog bite attorneys at Steve Foley Law Firm have an impressive reputation for successfully guiding challenging dog bite cases toward favorable resolutions that support our clients’ fullest recoveries and best interests.
We‘re ready to get to work on your claim today, so don’t wait to secure the legal assistance you deserve.
Call or text 716-249-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
