Syracuse Animal Bite
Lawyer

Animal bites and dog bites are serious—and all too common

Animals can be our best friends. But in some cases, animals that aren’t properly restrained cause people harm. Every year, millions of people, including many children, are seriously hurt or even suffer wrongful death because of animal attacks.
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If you or a loved one has suffered an animal or dog bite, you need a lawyer. Many dog bites occur from other people’s pets. They commonly occur on private property as well, not on the street or in public.
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These cases can be extremely complex and emotional. You need someone who has your best interests in mind to help ensure you get justice and are not denied your fair compensation to pay for hospital bills and other costs.

Common Types of Injuries From Dog Bites

Dog bite injuries can be far more severe and complex than many people realize. Understanding these injuries helps victims seek appropriate medical care and legal compensation.

• Puncture wounds are extremely common, created by sharp canine teeth that can penetrate deeply into tissue. These wounds may appear small on the surface but can extend into muscle, potentially reaching bone. Infections are common, as bacteria may be pushed deep into the skin and bloodstream.
• Lacerations occur when a dog’s teeth drag across skin or when a victim pulls away during an attack. These injuries can range from superficial scratches to deep gashes that require extensive stitches and potentially even plastic surgery.
• Avulsion injuries happen when tissue is completely torn away from the body during a dog attack. This devastating type of injury most commonly affects ears, noses, fingers, or chunks of facial tissue. Avulsion injuries often require immediate reconstructive surgery and may result in permanent disfigurement even with the best medical treatment.
• Nerve damage can occur when dog teeth sever or compress nerve pathways, particularly in the hands, arms, and facial areas. Nerve injuries may result in permanent numbness, tingling, weakness, or complete loss of function in affected areas.
• Tendon and ligament injuries are common when dogs bite hands, wrists, or ankles. Severed tendons can result in permanent loss of movement or strength, while damaged ligaments may cause chronic instability in joints. Both types of injuries often require surgical repair and extensive physical therapy.
• Infections pose a serious ongoing threat after any dog bite and may include Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. Beyond common bacterial infections, there’s also the risk of rabies transmission.
• Psychological trauma often accompanies physical injuries from dog bites, especially in children. Victims may develop lasting fears of dogs, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other mental health conditions that require professional treatment and can significantly impact quality of life.
• Scarring and disfigurement frequently result from dog bite injuries, particularly those involving the face, hands, or other visible areas. Even with excellent medical care and reconstructive surgeries, appearance, self-esteem, and social interactions can be affected.

What to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog in Syracuse

Prompt medical attention is essential after any dog bite, regardless of how minor the injury may initially appear. Syracuse offers several medical facilities equipped to handle the complex nature of dog bite injuries and their potential complications.

• Upstate University Hospital serves as the region’s Level I trauma center and can provide comprehensive emergency care for severe dog bite injuries, including those requiring immediate surgical intervention.
• St. Joseph’s Hospital offers excellent wound care and infection control services. Their orthopedic specialists can evaluate and treat any bone, tendon, or ligament damage that may have occurred during the attack.
• Crouse Hospital’s emergency department is well-equipped to handle both adult and pediatric dog bite cases.

After getting medical attention, it’s important to keep medical records of all treatment received, including emergency room visits, follow-up appointments, medications prescribed, and any ongoing therapy or rehabilitation needs.

At the scene, document everything about the incident. Photograph your injuries, the location where the bite occurred, and the dog if it’s safe to do so. Write down details, including the exact time and location of the attack, what led up to the bite, and the dog’s breed, size, color, and any identifying features.

Collect information from the dog owner, including their name, address, phone number, insurance information, and the dog’s vaccination records if available. Also, obtain contact information from any witnesses who saw the attack.

You should then contact Syracuse Dog Control, which can investigate whether the dog has a history of aggressive behavior and take appropriate action to protect the community from future incidents. Additionally, contact the Syracuse Police Department directly to file a formal report. Finally, reach out to a Syracuse dog bite attorney. These cases involve complex legal and insurance issues that are best handled by lawyers experienced in this specific area of personal injury law.

Need Immediate Assistance?

Call us at 315.500.5000

Animal and dog bite cases require an experienced attorney

The full extent of the damage an animal or dog bite inflicts can take days, weeks, or longer to come to light. But if you or a loved one has been bitten, you need to act right away. If you contact Catalano Law, we will interview available witnesses, examine your medical records, and build a case that gets the compensation you deserve.
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Never negotiate a private settlement on your own. You need an experienced dog bite attorney to explore your legal options and assist you in pursuing financial compensation for your injuries. Without legal guidance, you may not get the financial recovery you need.

Will I get compensation by filing a claim?

If you’ve been injured by someone else’s animal, then you might be eligible for compensation. In dog bite cases that result in compensation, there are typically a few common factors, including the existence of serious injuries caused by an animal and a negligent animal owner who failed to do what was necessary to stop the attack.

The potential damages in these cases are often very high because the injuries caused by a dog or animal attack can be expensive, debilitating, and long-lasting. It’s important to understand how much your injuries cost you, not just today, but over the months and years to come.

You may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including the costs of surgeries, medications, adaptive equipment, and long-term rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress

As experienced dog bite lawyers in Syracuse, we know how to help you determine what your case is worth. Let us help you explore your legal options through a free consultation.

You pay our dog bite lawyers nothing unless we win

Our team has years of experience helping animal attack victims, and we understand the aftermath of any attack can be stressful and physically, emotionally, and financially draining.

This is why we work on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no out-of-pocket costs to hire our law firm, and we receive no fee or expenses unless a settlement or financial recovery is obtained for your animal bite.

Get a free case evaluation today

You can learn more about the potential of your case by speaking with an experienced dog bite attorney. The dog owner who was responsible for taking care of their pet might owe you significant compensation. By talking to our team, you can explore your legal options, and there is no obligation to move forward with a claim if you don’t want to.
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If you suffered a dog bite or other animal bite, contact Catalano Law for a free case evaluation at 315-500-5000.