Dogs are man’s best friend, right? Many New Yorkers consider dogs to be part of their families and for the most part, they are loving animals and they can be huge parts of our lives. However, because of the deep connection that many people feel with their family dogs, it can be easy to forget that deep down, dogs can be dangerous animals that can cause serious injuries if they attack.
A dog bites you, you go to the hospital and then you get a hospital bill in the mail. You might miss some time at work while you recover from your injuries but you’re not too worried because you assume the dog owner will cover all of the costs of the attack because the damages are their fault after all.
Legally, you’re most likely correct, the dog owners should be held liable for any damages that their dog has caused in the majority of cases. However, many times dog owners will not accept responsibility for attacks that their dogs may have committed and these owners may try to fight your allegations in order to get out of paying.
They may argue that a sign displayed in their yard such as “Beware of Dog” protects them of all liability since you had been warned to stay away from their dog especially if you cross a fence or other threshold to get onto their property prior to the attack. They also may claim that you provoked the dog by acting in an aggressive, threatening or otherwise violent manner and that your actions caused the attack.
Of course, there are many situations where you will be able to prove that the dog owner was in fact to blame in a dog attack. For example, if there are witnesses to testify that you did not gesture or act provocatively towards the dog prior to the attack or you can prove that there was no signage indicating the dangers of the dog. It is important to know about the potential excuses that property owners may use to avoid compensating you after a dog attack so that in the unfortunate case that you are attacked, you are prepared to protect your legal rights.
If you can prove that there was no way for you to avoid the attack and it occurred on behalf of the owner’s negligence, you are definitely entitled to compensation. At the Law Office or Richard Kenny, our attorneys have decades of experience handling dog bite cases and have achieved massive sums through both verdicts and settlements for our clients. In the unfortunate case that you or a loved one is injured in a dog attack, call our office today at 212-421-0300 for a free consultation.
