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Almost everybody is a dog fan. Dogs are smart, loyal, and, most importantly, loving. However, sometimes, dogs can be nasty, just like people can. However, rather obviously, if you are the victim of a dog attack, you cannot sue a dog as you would a person. Fortunately, you may still sue the dog’s owner to recover financial compensation for the injuries you have sustained. This compensation may help cover the cost of your medical bills, in-home care, and more. If you are interested in pursuing a lawsuit against a negligent dog owner, here are some of the questions you may have regarding your legal options going forward:

What are grounds for a dog bite lawsuit?

Generally, you will be able to recover financial compensation if you can prove that you were either bitten by a dog on public property, or were bitten by a dog while you were lawfully in a private establishment, such as a friend’s or relative’s house. However, if you were bitten by a dog who you were teasing or while you were trespassing on the dog’s owner’s property at the time of the incident, you will most likely lose your lawsuit, so you must consider the circumstances of your bite before going forward.

How do I win a dog bite lawsuit?

To win a dog bite lawsuit, you must first prove that the dog’s owner was aware of his or her dog’s violent tendencies and that you suffered severe injuries as a result of the owner’s negligence. To prove that an owner was aware of his or her dog’s violent nature, your attorney may interview the owner’s neighbors or research any other prior claims against the owner’s dog.

How do I prove my personal injury claim?

To prove that you were injured due to a negligent dog bite, your attorney will obtain several important pieces of evidence. For example, your attorney may recover security camera footage of the accident, especially if it happened in a public place. Additionally, your attorney may use police reports of the accident, witness statements verifying your claim, medical documents detailing the extent of your injuries, and more. If you were bitten by a dog, you cannot afford to wait. Get in touch with our knowledgeable and compassionate firm as soon as you can.

Contact our experienced New York City firm

If you have been injured in a New York City accident, Swerling Law is here to help. Our firm understands the challenges that many people face after being hurt in an accident and is prepared to help you receive significant compensation to ease some of your burdens. To schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in New York City, contact Swerling Law today. 

$3,250,000

Settlement to a barista who slipped and fell on a defective stairwell while working for Starbucks who sustained back injuries requiring multiple surgeries in 2012.

$3,000,000

Settlement to a woman who was assaulted and sustained back/hip injuries in 2015.

$1,415,000

Verdict to a high school student who was assaulted by a school dean during her lunch period dislocating her hip in 2014.

$995,000

Settlement to a man who was run over by a dump truck on a Brooklyn street causing him to sustain multiple injuries, including but not limited to a broken leg and detached urethra in 2019.

$850,000

Settlement to a woman who slipped and fell down a wet stairwell in a New York City Housing Authority building requiring a back surgery in 2018.

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