Brooklyn Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

A dog attack can happen in seconds, leaving you with serious injuries, medical bills, and emotional trauma. If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a dog bite in Brooklyn, you have legal rights. Parker Waichman LLP helps victims recover compensation from negligent dog owners. Our team handles every aspect of your case while you focus on healing. Call (718) 554-8055 today for a free consultation—we work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Why Choose Parker Waichman LLP for Your Brooklyn Dog Bite Case

When you need a dog bite lawyer in Brooklyn, experience matters. Parker Waichman LLP has recovered over $2 billion for clients across all practice areas, including serious personal injury cases. Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience in holding negligent parties accountable.

Jerrold S. Parker, our founding partner, has practiced law for over 40 years and earned an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell—the highest possible peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Alex Tovstolug, our senior litigation counsel, has 15 years of experience handling personal injury cases throughout Brooklyn and New York. Brett A. Zekowski, our partner, focuses on personal injury litigation and has earned recognition from the National Trial Lawyers organization.

We maintain a Brooklyn office at 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, so we understand the neighborhoods, courts, and local dynamics that affect your case. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your recovery is our priority.

How New York’s Dog Bite Laws Protect You

Understanding New York’s Dog Bite Liability Laws

New York law provides multiple pathways to hold dog owners liable for injuries their dogs cause. While a traditional one-bite rule exists based on owner knowledge of vicious propensities, the 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision expanded liability to include negligence claims even for first bites. Additionally, dogs formally designated as dangerous under Agriculture & Markets Law Section 123 face strict liability for medical expenses regardless of prior bite history. This multi-pathway approach provides stronger protections for dog bite victims than states following a strict one-bite rule.

When Dog Owners Are Held Liable

Dog owners can be held liable in several ways. Under New York law, dog owners can be held liable for injuries their dogs cause through multiple legal pathways. For dogs formally classified as “dangerous” through judicial proceedings, owners face strict liability for medical expenses. For other damages including lost wages, pain and suffering, and scarring, you must prove the owner was negligent. This means showing the owner failed to control the dog, used inadequate restraints, or ignored warning signs of aggression.

Property owners also bear responsibility in certain situations. If a dog on someone’s property bites you, the property owner may be liable for failing to warn you or prevent the attack. Comparative negligence rules in New York mean that even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages—though your award may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Common Dog Bite Injuries and Their Impact

Physical Injuries from Dog Attacks

Dog bites cause serious physical harm. Puncture wounds and lacerations from teeth can damage skin, muscle, and tissue. Many victims require emergency room treatment, stitches, or surgery. Some bites cause fractures when a dog’s bite force breaks bones, particularly in children and elderly victims.

Infections pose another serious risk. Dog bites can transmit bacteria like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, leading to serious infections requiring antibiotics or hospitalization. Rabies exposure, though rare, requires immediate post-exposure prophylaxis treatment. Scarring and disfigurement often result from dog bites, particularly on the face, neck, and hands. Many victims need reconstructive surgery to minimize permanent scarring.

Psychological and Long-Term Effects

The trauma of a dog attack extends beyond physical injuries. Many victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), experiencing nightmares, flashbacks, and anxiety. Some develop cynophobia—an intense fear of dogs—that affects their daily life and ability to go outside.

Lost wages accumulate during recovery and medical treatment. If your injuries prevent you from working, you lose income. Some victims suffer permanent disabilities that reduce their earning capacity long-term. Ongoing medical treatment, therapy, and medication add to your financial burden. The psychological impact on your quality of life—fear, anxiety, and emotional distress—deserves compensation.

What Compensation You Can Recover

Dog bite victims in Brooklyn can recover several types of damages:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, medications, and ongoing treatment
• Lost wages for time away from work during recovery
• Pain and suffering damages for physical pain and emotional distress
• Scarring and disfigurement compensation for permanent marks or cosmetic damage
• Psychological injury damages for PTSD, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions
• Property damage for torn clothing or personal items damaged in the attack
• Punitive damages in cases where the owner’s conduct was intentional or reckless

The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and the strength of liability evidence. Parker Waichman LLP evaluates each case individually to determine fair compensation.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Brooklyn

Immediate action protects your health and strengthens your legal claim. First, seek medical attention right away, even if the bite seems minor. Dog bites carry infection risks and require professional evaluation. Document everything: take photos of your injuries, the scene, and the dog if possible. Write down what happened while details are fresh.

Get the dog owner’s name, address, phone number, and insurance information. Obtain contact information from any witnesses who saw the attack. Report the incident to Brooklyn Animal Control—this creates an official record. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment. Avoid posting about the incident on social media, as insurance companies monitor social media and may use your posts against you.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP as soon as possible. The sooner we investigate, the better we can preserve evidence and witness statements. Do not accept any settlement offer from the dog owner’s insurance company without consulting our attorneys first.

How Parker Waichman LLP Handles Your Dog Bite Case

We start with a free consultation to evaluate your claim and answer your questions. During this meeting, we listen to your story and assess liability and damages. We then conduct a thorough investigation, gathering medical records, police reports, and witness statements. We photograph your injuries and the location where the attack occurred.

Our team works with medical experts to document your injuries and treatment needs. We calculate your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We then negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company to reach a fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses to offer adequate compensation, we prepare your case for litigation and represent you in court.

Throughout the process, we keep you informed with regular updates. You never pay upfront costs or attorney fees—we work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if you recover compensation. Schedule a consultation with Parker Waichman LLP today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites in Brooklyn

What if the dog owner claims the dog was provoked?

Dog owners sometimes argue their dog was provoked and therefore not responsible. New York courts examine provocation claims carefully. A dog being startled or annoyed does not justify biting someone. Children playing near a dog, or someone simply being in the dog’s presence, does not constitute provocation. Even if a court finds some provocation occurred, you may still recover damages—your award might be reduced based on comparative negligence, but you are not barred from recovery. Parker Waichman LLP challenges provocation defenses aggressively.

Can I sue if I was trespassing when bitten?

Trespassing complicates your case but does not eliminate your rights. Property owners owe even trespassers a duty not to use excessive force or allow dangerous conditions. However, your recovery may be reduced if you were trespassing. Children and emergency responders (police, firefighters) receive additional legal protections. If you were trespassing, contact Parker Waichman LLP immediately—we evaluate your specific situation and determine your legal options.

What is the statute of limitations for a dog bite claim in New York?

You have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit in New York. This deadline is critical. If you miss it, you lose your right to recover compensation. For minors, the clock may be tolled, meaning the deadline is extended until they reach adulthood. Do not delay—contact Parker Waichman LLP promptly to protect your rights. Learn more about New York statute of limitations for personal injury claims.

How much is my dog bite case worth?

Settlement value depends on many factors: the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, scarring or disfigurement, psychological impact, and the strength of liability evidence. Minor bites with minimal treatment might settle for a few thousand dollars. Severe injuries with permanent scarring, surgery, or PTSD can be worth significantly more. Parker Waichman LLP evaluates your case individually and pursues maximum compensation based on your specific damages. See our verdicts and settlements for examples of successful cases.

What if the dog owner doesn’t have insurance?

Many homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies cover dog bite liability. We investigate what insurance coverage exists. If the owner has no insurance, we can pursue a personal judgment against them, though collecting can be challenging. We explore all available options to recover compensation for you.

Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite claim?

While you can handle a claim alone, insurance companies employ adjusters trained to minimize payouts. They may offer far less than your case is worth. A lawyer levels the playing field. We know how insurance companies operate, we calculate damages accurately, and we negotiate aggressively. Most importantly, we handle the legal complexity while you recover. Our free consultation lets you decide if representation makes sense for your situation.

Will my case go to trial?

Most dog bite cases settle before trial. Insurance companies often prefer settling to avoid jury trials, where juries frequently award substantial damages for dog bite injuries. However, we prepare every case for trial. If the insurance company refuses fair compensation, we take your case to court. Parker Waichman LLP has extensive trial experience and is not afraid to litigate when necessary.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP for Your Free Dog Bite Consultation

If a dog bite injured you in Brooklyn, do not wait. Call (718) 554-8055 today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 for urgent matters. We serve all of Brooklyn and surrounding areas. You pay nothing upfront—we work on contingency, so you only pay if we recover compensation. Let Parker Waichman LLP hold the negligent dog owner accountable and help you get the compensation you deserve. Visit our testimonials page to see what our clients say about their experience with us.

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