Scott C. Gottlieb of the Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP, says New York dogs owners can be held liable for victims’ medical expenses, pain and suffering in an attack. “Dogs are unpredictable and, when aroused, can be vicious, dangerous animals,” said Gottlieb of the Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP, a Watertown personal injury firm that provides legal help to New York dog bite victims and handles other accident and injury cases. “An attack by a dog can lead to serious and, in some cases, fatal injuries,” he said. The Watertown Daily Times reported that a 66-year-old woman and her 46-year-old daughter were attacked by two pit bulls March 14 in the backyard of the elder woman’s Watertown home. Two mixed pit bulls got away from their owner’s home across the street and attacked a 90-pound boxer in the yard, the report said. One of the pit bulls bit off part of the index finger on the elder woman’s left hand as the women intervened, according to the newspaper. Surgeons reattached the digit, but the woman told the Daily Times that she was left traumatized. Three days later, a Nellis Street man reported that he killed a pit bull that had entered his home and attacked his miniature dachshund, the newspaper said. The Jefferson County Dog Control office investigated 227 dog bites last year, according to the Daily Times. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says dogs bite more than 4.7 million people a year in this country. About 800,000 dog bite victims require medical help for their injuries, and about 16 people die in dog attacks each year. Gottlieb said people injured in dog attacks are entitled to seek compensation for such medical expenses as the cost of emergency room visits, hospitalization, therapy, and, in many cases, plastic surgery. Reimbursement for lost wages and pain and suffering may also be available. “New York dog owners can be liable for injuries their dogs inflict upon others if their dog was not properly secured on their premises or on a leash,” Gottlieb said. Anyone injured in a dog attack should contact an experienced New York dog bite attorney to discuss their legal options, said Gottlieb, who has more than 25 years of experience in personal injury and malpractice law. Most often, the dog owner’s liability is covered by their homeowners insurance, he said. If a proper insurance settlement cannot be negotiated with the insurance company, going to court may be the next step to obtain proper compensation for the injured party. “Nobody should suffer a dog bite alone,” Gottlieb said. “It’s important to get proper medical attention and then get professional legal help to make sure one’s rights are protected.” About Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP The Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP, handle all types of personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases, including cases involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles and boats. The firm also represents clients in actions for wrongful death, cancer misdiagnosis, dog bites, hunting accidents, birth injuries, brain injuries, construction accidents, fall down injuries and insurance settlements. The firm regularly employs accident reconstruction experts, investigators, photographers and economists to assist in evaluating and preparing personal injury cases. In 2008, the firm reached the $100-million mark in combined lifetime verdicts and settlements. Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates features offices in Binghamton, Elmira, Rochester, Syracuse and Watertown. For more information, call (800) TALK-LAW or use the firm’s online contact form. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING Scott C. Gottlieb |
