When to Hire a Lawyer After a Dog Bite
Recovering from a dog bite personal injury does not only involve the healing process itself but also involves recovering financially. Some dog bites can require stitches, surgeries, or prescription medications to ward off infections. All of these treatments can be expensive, even with health insurance. If you can prove the dog owner was negligent, you may be able to sue for damages. Consider talking a Central New York Dog Bites Lawyer if this happened to you.
Determining Negligence After a Dog Bite
Negligence when it comes to dog bites can mean many things. In some cases, an owner may have failed to secure their dog and in other cases, they may have failed to warn you about their dog when you entered 
their property. Different states have different laws regarding negligence and dog bites.
The One Bite rule is a common law followed by 30 states that place the burden of proof on the injured person. A person who was bitten will need to prove that the dog owner should have known their dog was dangerous, or else compensation will not be awarded. If the dog has been known to bite people in the past, this can also meet the requirements of the One Bite Rule.
Proving these factors of negligence can help you obtain compensation for medical expenses in addition to pain and suffering if your injury was severe enough. Common injuries from dog bites can involve the face, arm, or leg and some may require plastic surgery or skin grafts. Some of these expenses may not be covered by your insurance company, so act now. Talk to a lawyer about what happened to take the next step.
How a Lawyer Can Help with Your Claim
The first step for filing a dog bite claim is to gather information about the incident. A lawyer will tell you to find out the dog owner’s name and address. Although, before this, you would likely seek medical attention and find out if the dog has rabies. Rabies shots are another costly medical expense, which is why filing a claim is key to your financial recovery.
A lawyer will also advise you to file the dog bite claim with your local police. This will put the incident into a legal file that can be used in court to back up your claim. Your lawyer will also advise you to take pictures of your injuries and collect information about the dog.
Dog Bites Lawyer in New York
Certain dog bite injuries can lead to expensive medical bills and long recovery times. Working with a Syracuse Personal Injury Lawyer can help you take the steps necessary to earn the compensation you deserve. Proving negligence, especially under the One Bite rule, can often be challenging in certain cases, but a lawyer may be able to help you overcome these obstacles.
At Gattuso & Ciotoli, we possess over 50 years of experience with personal injury claims. Contact us today at (315) 314-8000 for a free consultation. You can find us in Central New York, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Syracuse, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. We will work with you to defend your rights.