How Long Do You Have to Report a Dog Bite in New York?

If someone’s dog bites you in the State of New York, you must report the matter to the Department of Health within 24 hours – especially if there is any risk or concern that the animal may have rabies. Reporting the bite helps the state keep tabs on dangerous dogs and contain the risk of rabies. There is also a time limit related to filing a dog bite lawsuit against the owner, which is called the statute of limitations and is a brief three years in New York. If someone’s dog has injured you, contact the professional legal counsel of our experienced Buffalo dog bite attorney.

How Dog Bite Injuries Can Be Serious

Being attacked by a dog is also a terrifying event that can lead to immense emotional pain and suffering. Many victims face a newly acquired fear of dogs and can experience debilitating flashbacks of the attacks they suffered. In other words, the losses you face in the aftermath of a dog bite can be overwhelming and should not be ignored.

Dog bites can lead to severe injuries for the following reasons:

• Dog bites are prone to infection and can be slow to heal.
• Dogs often bite victims’ hands, which are a complex network of joints, bones, ligaments, and tendons, and recovery can require multiple surgeries
• Dog bites are associated with serious scarring, and when on or near the face, they can permanently disfigure the victim

Your Dog Bite Claim

Bringing a successful dog bite claim is a complex legal matter. While the three-year statute of limitations may strike you as plenty of time, assessing your complete losses is a big job in and of itself, and the more serious your injuries, the more time-consuming this assessment can be. In other words, the sooner you have a dedicated dog bite attorney on your side, the better prepared you’ll be to address your claim effectively.

Dog Bite Laws in New York

The State of New York melds the so-called one-bite rule with strict liability, which makes its approach specific to the state. If the dog that bites you has already been identified as dangerous, such as if it had been reported to the Department of Health prior, strict liability applies. This means the dog’s owner will be held legally responsible for the losses you incur.

On the other hand, the one–bite rule affords dog owners considerably more leeway if their pets – who have given them no reason to suspect aggressive tendencies – suddenly attack. If the dog in question behaved in a manner that reasonable people would consider threatening, the owner can be held responsible for a bite victim’s medical bills.

Turn to an Experienced Buffalo Dog Bite Attorney for Help Today

Dog bite claims in New York involve a range of legal intricacies that the reputable Buffalo dog bite attorneys at Steve Foley Law Firm are well-positioned to tackle with finesse. The best course of action is to reach out for professional legal guidance sooner rather than later, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call 716-575-3236 for more information about what we can do to help you today.