Understanding Dog Bite Accidents
Dogs bite and attack for many reasons. Certain dogs are naturally aggressive while others were bred to be. Other times, dogs have been neglected or abused. While at other times they were overexcited or placed in a precarious situation.
- Be wary of all domesticated animals
- It is best to ask the owner before attempting to pet a dog
- Make sure the dog is not in a defensive posture, such as back on its hind legs, and assess the area in its entirety
- Make sure there is nothing occurring that the dog may perceive as a threat
- Commonly this occurs when there is a lot of activity in the immediate area
Remember: If you have been injured due to a bite or attack, obtain necessary medical care and treatment without delay. Report the incident to law enforcement, obtain contact information of any witness, learn the name of the dog/owner, ask if anyone in the area is aware of an early incident involving this dog, and take pictures of any visible injury
Case Focus: Lara
One fine day Lara spent some time at her boyfriend’s home. This was not her first visit, but it was her last.
The family owned a dog that was always kept behind a closed door in a basement room when guests where at the home. Her boyfriend left before her, and before she left, she went to the kitchen and said goodbye to his grandmother and sister.
Immediately upon exiting the house, she was jumped from behind by a dog. His sister had to pull the dog off of her. She retained us and a lawsuit followed. The homeowners claimed that the dog who attacked Lara was a marauding dog that roamed the neighborhood.
The insurance company claimed that even if it was the homeowner’s dog, it had never bitten anyone before. (That is an automatic pass in New York.)
We conducted an investigation, that included interviews with neighbors and the mail carrier. The neighbors and mail carrier confirmed that the subject dog did exhibit vicious propensities; growling, barking, being aggressive. This can overcome the “free” pass defense. We also found no evidence to corroborate the claim of marauding dogs.
In preparing this case for trial, the neighbors expressed reluctance to testify, and the mail carrier had moved and did not want to return to New York. Nevertheless, we remained steadfast and were committed to a trial.
On the eve of jury selection, the case settled for a “fair and reasonable” sum of money that fully compensated our client.
Experienced Dog Bite Attorneys
Our law firm is led by New York State injury attorney Jeffrey M. Adams, who has dedicated his legal practice to protecting and promoting the rights of injured individuals.
For over a quarter of a century, Mr. Adams has represented victims of nursing home abuse and neglect, personal injury accidents and families of wrongful death victims. His extensive experience enables him to quickly and effectively evaluate cases to determine their merit. Known throughout the legal community and insurance industry as a straight shooter, Mr. Adams provides honest case appraisals and educates his clients about their cases, enabling them to make informed decisions.
