Were you injured in a dog bite or animal attack in Middletown, New York? You may have legal options for recovering compensation, including filing a personal injury lawsuit against the owner or another responsible party. Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers, can help you identify and pursue your best course of action when you call 845-383-7790 to schedule a free consultation.
Our Middletown team is highly skilled at trial and won’t hesitate to take your case that far if that’s what’s best for you. Reach out today for more information and to speak with a Middletown dog bite lawyer.
Why Should I Hire Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers To Help With My Dog Bite Claim in Middletown, NY?
Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers is a trusted personal injury law firm in Middletown, NY. Our Middletown personal injury attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience and have achieved substantial recoveries for our clients. We will work just as hard to pursue winning results for your case.
Our lead attorney, Derek Rolo, grew up in the area and understands New York laws, procedures, and courts inside and out. He is also a former personal injury defense attorney, giving him and the rest of our team an advantage as we work to secure monetary damages for our clients. If you hire us, we’ll work to maximize the value of your claim from the start.
Learn more about your legal rights and options by calling our dog bite lawyers in Middletown, NY, for a free consultation.
Dog Bite Liability in New York State
New York’s laws surrounding dog bite liability are somewhat complex. The state uses a modified version of the so-called “one bite” rule, which could limit your legal options. However, depending on the facts and circumstances of your situation, you still may be able to file a claim under a theory of strict liability or negligence.
In general, you can recover compensation if you can show that:
- The dog had known dangerous propensities, or
- The dog owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack
Negligence claims can arise when a dog owner fails to properly leash, confine, or control their pet, resulting in injury to another person. Nonetheless, even if they did take those steps, strict liability claims are still possible in some cases.
Our attorneys can evaluate your case and explain your legal options during your free consultation.
Third-Party Personal Injury Claims
In some situations, additional parties beyond the dog owner may be held responsible for a dog bite injury. Filing a third-party personal injury claim may allow you to pursue more compensation than you would otherwise recover.
Examples of when third-party liability might apply include:
- You are bitten by a dog while on another person’s property due to negligent property maintenance
- A landlord fails to address the presence of a dangerous dog on rental property
- A business owner allows a known aggressive dog on their premises
Determining liability can be complex. Our lawyers can investigate the circumstances of your dog bite and advise you on all potential avenues for compensation.
How Valuable Is My Middletown Dog Bite Claim?
The value of a dog bite claim depends on many factors. No two cases involve the same exact facts or injuries, so each claim has a unique value. Some of the things we will consider as we evaluate your case include:
- The severity of your injuries
- The type of medical care you require
- Whether you suffered permanent scarring or disfigurement
- The amount of lost income or reduced earning ability
- Whether you can pursue additional damages through a third-party claim
- The strength of the available evidence
- Insurance policy terms and limits
We can provide more personalized insight into what your claim might be worth during your free consultation.
We’ll Fight for Compensation Based on All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks can result in a wide range of serious injuries. Our attorneys are prepared to help you seek full compensation for any of the following injuries, just to name a few examples:
- Puncture wounds
- Lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Infections
- Broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from falls during an attack
- Wrongful death of a loved one
We’re here to help you pursue recovery no matter the injuries you’ve sustained. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights and options.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Middletown?
If you are successful in filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. These “compensatory damages” aim to make you as whole as possible after the attack. In rare cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the dog owner acted recklessly or intentionally.
Economic damages compensate you for your financial losses, including:
- Medical bills and future treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
- Property damage (such as torn clothing or glasses)
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate you for more personal and subjective losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological conditions, such as PTSD
Punitive damages are only awarded in rare cases where you can show “clear and convincing evidence” that the dog owner acted with gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Dog Bite Injury in New York?
In New York, dog bite victims often face arguments from the dog owner or their insurance company suggesting that they provoked the dog or otherwise contributed to the attack. If you are being blamed for your injuries, it could impact your ability to recover full compensation.
Under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule, your compensation may be reduced if you are found to have been partially responsible. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your damages would be reduced by 20%.
It is essential to have an experienced Middletown personal injury lawyer on your side to counter these arguments and present strong evidence that the dog owner was primarily at fault.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Middletown?
Most dog bite lawyers in Middletown handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not have to pay any upfront costs to hire us. You also won’t be charged an hourly rate or a flat fee.
Instead, our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we are successful, our fee will be deducted from your settlement or award. If we do not win or settle your case, you will owe us nothing in attorney’s fees.
This system allows you to hire a highly experienced legal team without any financial risk. It also ensures that your attorney is fully invested in achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in New York?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit in New York. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations.
If you fail to file your lawsuit before this deadline, you could lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. There are only limited exceptions to this rule, and they are rare.
It is important to act quickly after a dog attack to preserve evidence, protect your rights, and give your attorney enough time to build a successful case. We recommend contacting our legal team as soon as possible after your injury.
Contact Our Middletown Dog Bite Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Were you injured in a dog attack in Middletown, New York? You may be entitled to substantial compensation for your medical expenses, emotional trauma, and other losses. A personal injury lawyer with Rolo Personal Injury Lawyers, can handle your claim from start to finish while you focus on your recovery.
Our Middletown dog bite lawyers have 40 years of combined experience and a proven track record of achieving substantial recoveries for our clients. We will fight for you and your family every step of the way. Call us today to schedule a free case review.
