1. Is there insurance for the payment of dog bite
claims?
Yes, almost all homeowner's insurance covers personal
injuries caused by the homeowner's dog. Factors such
as the existence of a leash law, the prior vicious or
aggressive propensities of the dog and other
circumstances surrounding the dog bite will be
necessary to prove in order have your claim paid.
2. What
if the owner of the dog or the person caring for it
does not have homeowner's insurance?
Can a landlord
and his insurance company be held responsible for the
claim?
Yes. In certain circumstances, a landlord who permits
a tenant to own a vicious dog and fails to take the
proper legal steps to have the dog removed, he and his
insurance company may be responsible to pay for the
injuries caused.
3. How
do I prove my landlord knew another tenant's cat or
dog was dangerous?
The Law Offices of Scott C. Gottlieb & Associates, LLP will know what information is
important. Sometimes, it is enough to show that the
landlord had the responsibility to know, whether
actual knowledge can be shown or not.
4. My child's face will be disfigured from a dog bite,
but my friend says that my child provoked her dog to
bite. What do I do?
There are many factors involved here. Where did the
bite happen? Was it on your property or your friend's?
Who was responsible for watching the child? Had the
dog shown prior vicious tendencies? Generally,
responsibility rests with the owner of any animal
known to be vicious or aggressive. Younger children,
especially those under seven years of age, are
generally never found to be at fault for provoking the
dog.
5. What
am I liable for if my dog bites someone?
In New York State, the owner of a dog is responsible
for damages if that dog is known to be vicious and
bites someone. However, if a dog is restrained and on
the owner's property, there may be mitigating
circumstances.
6. I
was watching a dog for someone and he bit the postman,
am I liable?
In some instances, people who only keep or care for a
dog will be liable for any dog bites occurring during
their care of the dog. The actual owner would more
likely be held liable in those instances.
7. This
dog did not bite me but ran in front of me while I was
driving. Who is responsible for my damages in the
motor vehicle accident?
A dog owner may be held liable for damages caused even
by a non-biting dog, particularly in areas where
restraint of a dog is legally mandated. Such claims
are common involving dogs who chase motorcycles.
8. What
if I have other questions?
Contact us today. We
will answer your questions and discuss your case.
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