Melville Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

If a dog attacked you or a loved one in Melville, New York, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries. Dog bites can result in serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and significant financial burdens. At Parker Waichman LLP, our Melville personal injury lawyers understand the challenges you face after a dog attack. We work to hold negligent dog owners accountable.

With over two decades of experience representing injury victims across New York, our legal team has recovered over $2 billion for clients. We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today at 800-968-7529 for a free consultation to discuss your dog bite claim.

Why Choose Parker Waichman LLP for Your Dog Bite Case

When you need a dog bite attorney in Melville, Parker Waichman LLP offers the experience, resources, and commitment necessary to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.

• Extensive Experience: Our firm has represented injury victims for over 20 years. We handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including dog bites and animal attacks. Our attorneys understand New York dog bite laws. We know how to build compelling cases that hold negligent dog owners accountable.
• Proven Track Record: Parker Waichman LLP has recovered over $2 billion for clients across all practice areas. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, our history demonstrates our ability to achieve substantial recoveries for injury victims.
• Convenient Melville Location: We maintain an office at 201 Old Country Road, Suite 145, in Melville. This makes it easy for local clients to meet with our attorneys. We also have offices throughout New York, including Port Washington, New York City, Queens, and Brooklyn. This allows us to serve clients across Long Island and the metropolitan area.
• Comprehensive Resources: Our firm has the financial resources and professional network to thoroughly investigate dog bite cases. We retain qualified witnesses when needed. We take cases to trial if necessary. We do not back down from insurance companies or defendants who refuse to offer fair compensation.
• Client-Focused Representation: We understand that dog bite injuries affect every aspect of your life. Our attorneys take time to listen to your concerns. We answer your questions and keep you informed throughout the legal process. We treat every client with respect and compassion while fighting aggressively for their rights.
• No Upfront Costs: Our contingency fee structure means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement allows you to access quality legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
• Professional Recognition: Our founding partner, Jerrold S. Parker, has received recognition from Best Lawyers in America for Mass Tort Litigation and Class Actions from 2010 through 2026. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Partner Melanie H. Muhlstock has been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers List annually since 2014.

If you suffered injuries in a dog attack in Melville or anywhere on Long Island, contact Parker Waichman LLP. Discuss your case with an experienced dog bite attorney.

Understanding Dog Bite Injuries in Melville

Dog bites occur more frequently than many people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites happen in the United States each year. In Melville and throughout Long Island, dog attacks can happen in neighborhoods, parks, or even on private property.

These incidents often result in severe and catastrophic injuries that require immediate medical care and ongoing treatment. Children are particularly vulnerable to dog attacks. They often suffer injuries to the face, head, and neck due to their smaller stature. Adults may sustain injuries to their hands, arms, and legs while attempting to defend themselves or protect others.

The physical wounds from a dog bite represent only part of the harm victims endure. Many people experience lasting psychological effects. These include fear of dogs, anxiety in public spaces, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These emotional injuries can affect your quality of life and ability to work. Legal representation becomes important to recover full compensation for all damages.

When a dog owner fails to properly restrain or control their animal, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries. Our Nassau County dog bite attorneys investigate each case thoroughly to establish liability. We pursue maximum compensation for our clients.

New York Dog Bite Laws

New York has specific laws that protect dog bite victims. These laws establish when dog owners can be held responsible for injuries their animals cause. Understanding these laws is important to pursuing a successful personal injury claim.

Liability for Dog Owners

New York law provides different standards of liability depending on the type of damages you seek. For medical expenses, the law offers stronger protection to victims. For other damages, you must prove additional elements.

• Medical Expenses: Under New York Agriculture and Markets Law § 123, owners of dogs classified as “dangerous dogs” face strict liability for medical expenses. However, this statute applies only after a dog has been formally designated as dangerous through a judicial determination. For dogs without this designation, you can still recover medical expenses by proving the owner was negligent or that the dog had known vicious propensities.
• Other Damages: For damages beyond medical expenses—such as lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress—New York law changed significantly in April 2025. The Court of Appeals eliminated the traditional “one bite rule” in Flanders v. Goodfellow. Now, you can recover these damages by proving the owner was negligent in controlling or restraining the dog. You no longer need to show that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior.

This means victims of first-time dog bites can now recover full compensation for all their injuries. The owner’s negligence in failing to control the animal is sufficient to establish liability.

Our experienced attorneys gather evidence to demonstrate owner liability. This includes animal control records, witness statements, and documentation of the dog’s history. We work to build a strong case that maximizes your compensation under New York law.

Common Dog Bite Injuries and Their Impact

Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries. These range from minor wounds to life-altering trauma. The severity of injuries often depends on the size and breed of the dog, the location of the bite, and how quickly medical treatment is received.

Common physical injuries from dog bites include:

• Puncture Wounds and Lacerations: Dog teeth can penetrate deep into tissue. This causes puncture wounds that damage muscles, tendons, and nerves. These wounds carry a high risk of infection. They may require surgical cleaning and repair.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Large dogs can exert tremendous bite force. This can crush bones in hands, arms, legs, and facial structures. These fractures often require surgery. Doctors may need to use pins, plates, or other hardware for proper healing.
• Nerve Damage: Dog bites can sever or damage nerves. This leads to loss of sensation, weakness, or permanent disability in the affected area. Nerve injuries may require treatment from specialists and extensive rehabilitation.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Dog bites frequently leave permanent scars. This is particularly true on the face, neck, and hands. Victims may require multiple reconstructive surgeries to minimize scarring. These procedures help restore appearance and function.
• Infections: Dog mouths harbor numerous bacteria that can cause serious infections. These include cellulitis, sepsis, and rabies. Infection can develop rapidly. It may require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics. The CDC provides guidance on rabies prevention and treatment protocols.

Beyond physical injuries, dog attack victims often experience significant psychological trauma:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Many victims develop PTSD symptoms. These include flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety related to the attack.
• Fear and Anxiety: Dog bite victims may develop a lasting fear of dogs. They may experience anxiety in situations where they might encounter animals. This can limit their ability to enjoy outdoor activities and public spaces.
• Emotional Distress: The trauma of a dog attack can lead to depression and sleep disturbances. Victims may have difficulty returning to normal activities.

These injuries create substantial financial burdens through medical bills, lost income, and reduced quality of life. Our catastrophic injury lawyers work to help you receive compensation. This compensation addresses both the immediate and long-term impact of your injuries.

Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims

If you suffered injuries in a dog attack in Melville, you may be entitled to recover various types of compensation. You can pursue this through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. New York law allows dog bite victims to seek damages for:

• Medical Expenses: You can recover compensation for all medical costs related to your dog bite injuries. This includes emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and medications. It also covers physical therapy, psychological counseling, and future medical care. Keep detailed records of all medical treatment and expenses.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevented you from working, you can claim compensation for lost income during your recovery period. This includes wages, salary, bonuses, and other employment benefits you missed due to the dog attack.
• Diminished Earning Capacity: Severe dog bite injuries may permanently affect your ability to work. They may reduce your earning potential. You can seek compensation for the difference between what you could have earned before the injury and what you can earn now.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by your injuries warrant compensation. New York law recognizes that dog bite victims endure significant pain and suffering during treatment and recovery.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Permanent scars can affect your self-esteem, social interactions, and career opportunities. This is particularly true for scars on visible areas like the face, hands, and arms. You can recover damages for the lasting impact of disfigurement.
• Emotional Distress: The psychological trauma from a dog attack constitutes compensable damages. This includes anxiety, fear, PTSD, and depression. Mental health treatment costs and the impact on your quality of life factor into these damages.
• Property Damage: If the dog damaged your clothing, eyeglasses, phone, or other personal property during the attack, you can include these losses in your claim.

The value of your dog bite case depends on multiple factors. These include the severity of your injuries and the extent of medical treatment required. Other factors include whether you have permanent scarring or disability, the clarity of liability, and the available insurance coverage. Our attorneys evaluate all aspects of your case to pursue maximum compensation.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Melville

The actions you take immediately after a dog attack can significantly impact your health and safety. They also affect your ability to recover compensation. Follow these important steps:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health and safety are the top priority. Even if the bite seems minor, seek medical evaluation promptly. Dog bites can cause internal damage and infections that are not immediately apparent. Medical treatment also creates documentation of your injuries. This documentation is important for your legal claim.
2. Report the Incident: Contact local animal control authorities or the Town of Huntington police to report the dog bite. An official report documents the incident. It may reveal whether the dog has a history of aggressive behavior or previous attacks. Animal control can also help the dog is quarantined and tested for rabies if necessary.
3. Document Everything: Take photographs of your injuries, torn clothing, and the location where the attack occurred. If possible, photograph the dog from a safe distance. Write down details about the incident while your memory is fresh. Include the date, time, location, and how the attack happened.
4. Gather Witness Information: If anyone witnessed the dog attack, obtain their names and contact information. Witness and expert testimony can corroborate your account of the incident. It helps establish liability.
5. Preserve Evidence: Keep all clothing and personal items damaged in the attack. Save all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment. Document any time you miss work due to your injuries.
6. Obtain Owner Information: Get the dog owner’s name, address, phone number, and homeowner’s insurance information. If the attack occurred on someone else’s property, obtain the property owner’s information as well.
7. Avoid Giving Statements: Do not provide recorded statements to insurance companies. Do not sign any documents without consulting an attorney first. Insurance adjusters may use your statements to minimize your claim or deny liability.
8. Contact a Dog Bite Attorney: Consult with an experienced Melville dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Early legal representation protects your rights. It helps ensure that critical evidence is preserved. At Parker Waichman LLP, we offer free consultations. We can begin working on your case immediately.

Remember that New York’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, acting quickly strengthens your case. It preserves evidence and witness memories while they are fresh.

How Parker Waichman LLP Handles Dog Bite Cases

At Parker Waichman LLP, we provide comprehensive legal representation to dog bite victims throughout Melville and Long Island. Our approach focuses on building strong cases while supporting clients through every step of the legal process.

Our Approach to Your Case

• Free Consultation: We begin with a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your dog bite incident. We review your injuries and legal options. During this meeting, we will answer your questions. We explain how New York dog bite laws apply to your situation.
• Thorough Investigation: Our legal team conducts a detailed investigation to establish liability and document your damages. We gather medical records, animal control reports, and witness statements. We also collect photographs of injuries and the attack scene. Additionally, we obtain evidence of the dog’s history or prior aggressive behavior.
• Evidence Preservation: We act quickly to preserve critical evidence. This includes obtaining veterinary records, homeowner’s insurance policies, and surveillance footage that may have captured the incident.
• Insurance Negotiation: Most dog bite claims are covered by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. We handle all communications with insurance companies. We negotiate aggressively to secure fair compensation. Insurance adjusters often try to minimize payouts. However, our experience allows us to counter their tactics effectively.
• Trial Preparation: While many dog bite cases settle through negotiation, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This preparation demonstrates our commitment to pursuing full compensation. It often motivates insurance companies to offer reasonable settlements.
• No Fee Unless We Recover: We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs for our legal services. We only collect attorney fees if we successfully recover compensation for you. This arrangement allows you to pursue justice without financial risk.

Throughout the process, we maintain open communication with our clients. We provide regular updates and answer questions promptly. Our Melville office allows us to meet with local clients conveniently. We respond quickly to their needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Our Melville Dog Bite Attorneys Today

Dog bite injuries can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. You should not have to bear these burdens alone when a negligent dog owner is responsible for your harm. Parker Waichman LLP stands ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Our Melville dog bite lawyers offer free consultations to evaluate your case. We explain your legal options. During this consultation, we will:

• Review the circumstances of your dog attack
• Explain how New York dog bite laws apply to your situation
• Discuss the types of compensation you may be entitled to recover
• Answer all your questions about the legal process
• Provide honest advice about the strength of your case

You have three years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit under New York’s statute of limitations. However, waiting to take action can jeopardize your case. Evidence can be lost. Witnesses’ memories fade. Insurance companies may become less willing to negotiate. Contact us today to protect your rights and begin building your case.

Call Parker Waichman LLP at 800-968-7529 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Let our experienced legal team fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

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