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Buffalo Dog Bite Attorneys
Seeking the compensation you need to recover after an animal attack
A dog bite can be a painful and traumatizing event, and the problems likely won’t end once the initial wounds are treated. The risk of contracting a disease or complicated infection will have to be addressed. The victim may incur substantial medical bills and miss time from work. So who can they count on to have their backs and seek the monetary damages they deserve?
It’s time to explore your legal rights with O’Brien & Ford PC. When you hire us as your Buffalo dog bite lawyers, we develop a personalized strategy aimed at maximizing your recovery so you can move forward. Find out how we can serve you and your family today.
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More than $100 million recovered in verdicts and settlements for those injured in New York.
Dog bite victims trust O’Brien & Ford PC
At O’Brien & Ford PC, we intentionally maintain a selective, limited caseload so that we can devote the necessary time, resources, and effort to each victim’s case. That’s the sort of treatment we would want for ourselves if we had suffered a serious dog bite or other personal injury.
As you consider which law firm is right for your case, we invite you to consider a few things that set us apart:
Contingency fee representation
Our firm takes clients on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront retainers or hourly attorney fees, and we only get paid if we win or favorably settle your case for you.
Setting the pace of litigation
Although some personal injury attorneys sit back and let the defense counsel drive the case, we seek practical, fair outcomes from day one and try to move the case along quickly so you can get your life back to normal.
Customized and comprehensive strategy
We adapt our legal experience to the specifics of your case, and we work hard to leave no stone unturned. We try to recover all available damages that the law entitles you to receive.
Quick turnaround time
You deserve to know the status of your legal matter and to have your questions answered in a reasonable amount of time. Our firm tries to connect clients to a lawyer in a matter of minutes, rather than waiting hours or days to get back to them.
You may be unsure whether you want to hire an attorney. We invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with us. Or you can read some past client testimonials to get an idea of the level of legal service we bring to the table.
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say About Us
“I cannot say enough good things about Chris Pannozzo and this law firm! From start to finish, the professionalism, communication, and dedication was exceptional. I always felt supported, comfortable, listened to, and confident that I was in good hands. My case was handled with the utmost care and attention, and I couldn’t be happier with the way everything was resolved. I would highly recommend the firm to anyone.”
“The professionalism I received from the entire staff was great. Christopher Pannozzo, Annat and John worked tirelessly to get me the justice I deserve. Even Patrice the receptionist was professional and always a joy to talk to. Thank you guys for the hard work and taking my case.”
“I highly recommend O'Brien & Ford, P.C. to anyone who has been injured and needs someone they can trust. I’m extremely thankful for everything Anant and his team did for me and for the way I was treated throughout the entire process. They were professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to explain things clearly and answer my questions. I would highly recommend this law firm.”
What you need to know about dog bites in Buffalo
Buffalo has a number of ordinances related to dogs and other animals. For example, dogs generally must be restrained on a leash or otherwise not free to roam. Owners who ignore these laws may allow their dogs to bite and seriously injure people. Even a single bite can be dangerous, potentially deadly, depending on the circumstances.
Dog bite victims commonly report such injuries as:
Puncture wounds
These can include, but are not limited to, wounds that break the surface of the skin. More serious bites can damage muscles, tendons, and even bones.
Lacerations
Dogs not only bite, but they tear. A deep enough cut may require stitches or potentially reconstructive surgery to ensure proper healing.
Bone fractures
Larger and more powerful dogs with strong jaws can crush bones. Fingers, legs, and arms are among the more vulnerable parts of the victim’s body.
Infections
Dogs’ mouths can carry numerous bacteria that are easily transmitted to humans through a bite. Moreover, they may carry rabies and other diseases. Infection is always a risk with dog bites.
Nerve damage
A dog bite can crush or sever nerves. This, in turn, may lead to numbness, loss of movement, chronic pain, and other complications.
Scarring and disfigurement
Bites can leave permanent scars that may require plastic surgery. When these scars are in noticeable areas like the face, they can have a strong effect on the victim’s self-esteem and quality of life.
Understanding New York’s dog bite laws
New York law generally holds dog owners strictly liable if the dog bites someone and the owner either knew, or should reasonably have known under the circumstances, that the dog has a vicious propensity. A “vicious propensity” doesn’t necessarily require that the dog has bitten someone else. It can be evidenced by a prior bite, or by:
- A prior, non-biting attack (e.g., aggressively knocking someone to the ground)
- Growling, snapping, or showing its teeth
- Complaints from other people concerning the dog
- Any other aggressive behavior or evidence that the dog put others at risk
In situations like these, the owner can be held strictly liable for the various expenses and losses the victim incurs because of the dog bite. Strictly liable means that the victim does not have to show that the owner was careless or negligent in permitting the dog to attack.
However, victims may also be able to pursue an ordinary negligence case against the owner. This means showing that the dog’s owner failed to exercise reasonable care concerning the dog, and that this failure caused the victim’s injury. Ordinary negligence doesn’t require proving that the dog’s owner either knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious propensity.
An experienced dog bite lawyer in Buffalo can review the facts of your dog bite injury. Then, your lawyer can explain whether it’s best to pursue a strict liability theory, an ordinary negligence theory, or both.
Possible compensation in your Buffalo dog bite injury case
Filing a lawsuit can allow you to collect monetary damages from the dog’s owner or another responsible party. The nature and amount of compensation that is available will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, the medical treatments you will need, and your ability to work after the dog bite. Potential compensation for your case may include:
- Medical expenses: Among these are bills for emergency room treatment, hospitalization, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, prescription medications, and more. Compensation can also cover reasonably estimated future medical needs you are likely to have.
- Lost income: During your recovery, there’s a good chance you will not be able to work. You can ask for monetary compensation to replace the amount of income that you lose as a result.
- Reduced earning capacity: Your injuries could unfortunately prevent you from working at the same productivity level as before. As a result, you may lose a substantial amount of income and benefits in the future.
- Non-economic damages: Some losses are intangible and subjective to the individual, but compensation may still be available for them. Examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, scarring, decreased quality of life, and more.
- Property damage: To the extent that your property was damaged or destroyed in the attack, you may have a claim for compensation as well.
Visit Us
Is there a Buffalo dog bite lawyer near me?
Were you or a loved one bitten in the Buffalo area? If so, it’s time to get in touch with O’Brien & Ford PC. We have offices at 4549 Main St Suite 201, Buffalo, NY 14226, and 701 Seneca St Suite 208, Buffalo, NY 14210. A few of the landmarks and points of interest near our Main Street office include Williamsville Village, Amherst State Park, Northtown Center, and the Grover Cleveland Golf Course.
If you are driving to our Main Street office, you may wish to take I-290, I-990, or streets like Sheridan Drive and Transit Road. However, bus service is also available, and your best option for that is probably the NFTA Metro. Some clients also take the Metro Rail to get to this area. Give us a call at 716-222-2222 if you need directions to either office or details about parking.
O’Brien & Ford, P.C.
4549 Main Street, Suite 201
Buffalo, NY 14226
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701 Seneca Street, Suite 208
Buffalo, NY 14210
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Buffalo dog bite frequently asked questions
What should I do after a dog bite?
The decisions you make right after you or your loved one is bitten will make a difference to your physical well-being and legal rights. We suggest the following steps:
- Clean the wound and see a medical doctor immediately to prevent infection
- Report the incident to animal control or call 911 if it’s an emergency
- Take pictures and record videos of the injury, or have someone else do it while you render aid to yourself or the victim
- Identify the dog’s owner and the dog’s vaccination status, if you can, but be prudent in whether you confront the owner directly
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses
- Talk to an experienced Buffalo dog bite attorney for further assistance
Who can be held liable for a dog bite in Buffalo?
Is there a deadline to file a lawsuit?
Can you help if my loved one died in a dog attack?
Contact our Buffalo dog bite attorneys
Don’t delay taking action on your dog bite. Medical bills will start piling up, and you may miss work for an extensive period of time. O’Brien & Ford PC is here to assist you. Schedule a free initial consultation with us to learn more about how we advocate for the rights and compensation that dog bite victims deserve.