Being bitten by one of the dogs in the neighborhood is not something to take lightly. In fact, it pays to talk with an attorney and find out what can be done to cover the costs of seeking treatment after the bite. There are attorneys with plenty of expertise in handling cases involving dog bites in Brooklyn NY area. Here is what the client can expect the attorney to do.
Assessing the Specifics of the Situation
Laws related to Dog Bites in Brooklyn NY do take into consideration the circumstances surrounding the bite. For this reason, the attorney will want to gather evidence related to the actual event. What was happening at the time the bite occurred? Was the victim attempting to interact with the animal, or did the pet come out of nowhere and surprise the victim? The attorney will also spend some time finding out if the dog in question has any past infractions. The ability to prove that the dog is aggressive even when not being threatened will go a long way toward providing a basis for the case.
Seeking Damages
Assuming that the attorney is able to establish that the dog is aggressive and has a history of attacking without provocation, it is possible to seek damages from the owner. The damages can have to do with time missed from work, the cost of medical treatments, and basically any other expense that arises as the result of the episode. By being able to prove that the bite took place due to the negligence of the owner to properly restrain the dog, it is possible to secure the finances needed to begin moving past the event.
Penalties and Fines
If the judge does find that the dog owner was negligent in controlling the animal, there is the potential for additional fines and penalties. A fine is the more likely scenario if the dog does not have an established history of attacking. When there is such a history and the owner still did not take adequate measures to confine the animal, there is the potential for criminal penalties to be invoked. Those penalties can include being charged with a misdemeanor that includes a fine and possibly some jail time.
Do not write off Dog Bites as minor issues. Seek legal help and bring the matter to close for the good of everyone in the neighborhood.
