AN ELMIRA DOG BITE ATTORNEY HELPING ANIMAL ATTACK VICTIMS GET FAIR COMPENSATION

Dog bites are a significant national problem in the United States. Each year there are nearly 5 million cases of dog attacks and bites. Some 800,000 victims per year require medical attention. Children are the main victims and account for the majority of individuals who have to be treated at the hospital, usually for bites to the face.

Whether you are out for a walk, walking up the stairs to your apartment, at a social gathering, or just passing by a dog, you shouldn’t have to worry about being attacked. Unfortunately, dog owners do not always take the precautions they should to protect others from their pet. At Proudfoot Law Firm, we are prepared to hold owners accountable for injuries caused by their dogs. As personal injury attorneys with experience handling dog attacks and bites, we’ve seen the damage a dog can do – disfigurement, puncture wounds, scarring, torn ligaments, and broken bones. Our firm will investigate your dog bite claim and go after those responsible for the dog bite injuries.

Get the information you need to pursue compensation for your injuries – contact our office for a FREE consultation.

STEPS TO TAKE TO HELP YOUR DOG BITE CASE

  • Take photographs of the dog
  • Take photographs of your injuries
  • Obtain medical records concerning your treatment
  • Videotape or photograph the area where the dog attack took place
  • If you know of any witnesses to the attack, get their contact information
  • Call an experienced Elmira dog bite attorney to protect your interests

Our office has successfully tried and settled dog attack and bite cases. If you or a family member has been attacked, call Elmira Dog Bite Attorney Steve Proudfoot today for a FREE consultation.

COMMON DOG BITE INJURIES

Dog attacks can be traumatic experiences that result in serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries include the following:

  • Puncture wounds and deep lacerations
  • Facial injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments
  • Hand injuries
  • Broken bones

In situations where the dog knocked the victim down, concussions and other head injuries often occur (sometimes serious brain injuries). Regardless of the circumstances, the injuries suffered in a dog attack typically require extensive medical treatment. Injuries to the face often require plastic surgery and can leave the victim with permanent, visible scarring or disfigurement.

Unfortunately, victims of dog attacks also suffer severe emotional and psychological trauma that can impact their lives for weeks or months after the attack. Many victims experience anxiety, PTSD, and depression as a result of the attack, making it difficult to work, sleep, or simply engage in daily living.

Whether your injuries are strictly physical or you have suffered psychological trauma, you should talk to an Elmira dog bite attorney to discuss your options.

DOG BITES AND CHILDREN IN ELMIRA

Because of their smaller size, lighter weight, and lack of physical strength, children are especially at risk of suffering severe injuries when attacked by a dog. The main issue is that a child’s face and neck are often at the same height as the muzzle of many dangerous dogs. This means that they are far more likely to suffer severe injuries to their face and neck, which are some of the most severe injuries victims can suffer in a dog attack.

Furthermore, children’s smaller limbs and lack of muscle mass mean that aggressive dogs with powerful jaws will be likely to cause greater damage. As a result, children are more likely to suffer crushing and broken bones, and torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

It is perhaps for these reasons that children are far more likely than adults to die as a result of a dog attack.

In addition, children lack the emotional and psychological maturity to understand and fully process what happened following the attack. As a result, they can experience long-term psychological and emotional trauma. Without proper counseling, this trauma could follow them for the rest of their lives, making it difficult for them to get a proper education or find steady employment.

If your child has suffered injuries as a result of a dog attack, the best thing you can do is contact an Elmira dog bite attorney to discuss your claim. They can make sure you receive the compensation your child needs to make a full recovery.

When is a Landlord Liable For a Dog Bite in Elmira?

In New York, a landlord can be held liable for a dog bite when three things are true:

  1. The landlord knew that a dog was on the premises;
  2. The landlord knew or should have known that the animal was potentially dangerous; and
  3. The landlord had sufficient control of the premises to be able to either confine or remove the dog.

If all three of these factors can be proven then a landlord may even be held liable when the attack occurs outside of the owner’s property.