Were you or a loved one attacked by a dog in Utica, New York? Contact Passalacqua & Associates, LLC at (315) 500-6425 for a free consultation. Our experienced Utica dog bite lawyers can help you file a claim for your medical bills, other financial expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
We have 50 years of combined experience and have won millions of dollars for our deserving clients to date. If you hire us to represent you, we’re confident that we can help you recover the compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries.
Contact our Utica personal injury attorneys today to get started and to learn more about your legal rights and options.
In Utica, NY, hiring the right lawyer after a dog attack isn’t just about filing paperwork; it’s about having an advocate who knows how to protect your rights and fight for your recovery. At Passalacqua & Associates, LLC, we bring decades of combined experience and a track record of millions recovered for injured clients.
Here’s what makes our Utica personal injury lawyers different:
Contact our Utica dog bite attorneys today for a free consultation. We’re passionate about standing up for the rights of injured victims in our local area.
Dog bite claims in New York work differently from those in many other states. Owners are strictly liable for a victim’s medical bills if the dog is deemed “dangerous” under Agriculture and Markets Law §123. You generally don’t need to prove negligence to recover those expenses.
However, for other damages (like pain and suffering or lost wages), you usually must show the owner knew or should have known the dog in question had vicious propensities.
This doesn’t always mean a prior bite. Evidence could include snapping, lunging, growling, muzzle use, warning signs, or complaints from neighbors. Courts require proof of this knowledge before awarding compensation beyond medical costs.
Negligence by the dog’s owner, such as breaking leash laws, can lead to or support your claim in many circumstances, as can ordinance violations or a “dangerous dog” finding. Because New York’s dog bite laws are surprisingly complex, we encourage you to reach out to us for a free consultation even if you aren’t sure whether you have a case.
No two dog bite cases are exactly alike. The value of your claim will depend on various factors, such as the severity of your injuries and the strength of your supporting evidence.
Overall, when we evaluate your case, we will consider things like:
During your free consultation, we can give you a clearer picture of what your claim may be worth and what details in your case may affect its value.
If you were bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to several types of compensation under New York law. Damages are typically divided into economic and non-economic varieties.
Economic damages cover the financial costs tied directly to your injuries, such as:
Non-economic damages compensate you for more personal, harder-to-measure losses, such as:
In rare cases, New York courts may also award punitive damages if the dog owner’s actions were especially reckless or malicious. These are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
At Passalacqua & Associates, LLC, we handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay us anything upfront, and you will never be charged hourly fees while your case is ongoing.
Instead, our payment comes as a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t successfully handle your case (whether through a jury verdict or settlement), you don’t owe us any attorney’s fees.
Many people worry about whether they can afford a lawyer, especially when unexpected medical bills and missed work are already causing financial stress. This system makes quality legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances.
It also ensures that we are fully invested in the outcome of your case, since our success depends on achieving the best possible result for you. We can answer any questions you may have about this kind of arrangement during a free consultation.
It is not unusual for dog owners and their insurance companies to argue that the victim caused or contributed to the attack. For instance, they may claim that you provoked the dog or entered private property without permission.
New York follows a pure comparative negligence law. This means that even if you are found partially at fault, you can typically still recover damages. However, your award will likely be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your damages total $50,000 but you are found 10% responsible, you may only be able to recover $45,000.
Insurance companies may use this law to reduce their liability, so it’s crucial to have an attorney who can counter these tactics and present a strong case showing the dog owner’s liability.
Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor bites to catastrophic harm.
Our firm has the resources and experience to handle all of them, including:
Whatever your injuries may be, we will fight to recover compensation that accounts for both your immediate needs and long-term recovery.
All personal injury cases are subject to a deadline known as the statute of limitations. In New York, you generally have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Exceptions or other factors can shorten the deadline to file a lawsuit after a dog bite. If the victim was a child, the timeline may be extended until after the child turns 18. In wrongful death cases, the statute of limitations is usually two years from the date of death.
Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to compensation entirely, so it is best to contact a dog bite attorney for legal help as soon as you can. We can help you file your claim on time and work to put as much money into your pocket as we can.
Dog bite cases can be overwhelming. Between painful injuries and mounting financial losses, you shouldn’t also have to battle with insurance companies or navigate complicated laws on your own.
At Passalacqua & Associates, LLC, we have over 50 years of combined experience fighting for injury victims in Utica and across New York. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients and are ready to put that experience to work for you.
If you or a loved one was attacked by a dog, don’t wait to get legal help. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted Utica dog bite lawyer.
Passalacqua & Associates, LLC provides legal representation for individuals facing personal injuries and criminal charges. Our attorneys offer compassionate guidance and aggressive strategies, and we’re committed to achieving the best possible outcomes. We’ll protect your rights and navigate legal complexities on your behalf.
Passalacqua & Associates, LLC proudly serves clients in Utica, Syracuse, and the surrounding upstate New York communities. We are dedicated to providing accessible and effective legal services to those in need of experienced personal injury and criminal defense representation within these regions.