The trauma of a dog bite or attack can last the victim a lifetime, both emotionally and physically. While most dogs are loving, friendly animals, some dogs are aggressive and must be kept secured on their property, requiring strict supervision from their owners when they are taken off the property. If you were bitten or attacked by a dog in New York City, you must take legal action as soon as possible. At Parker Waichman LLP, our law firm’s dog bite lawyer in New York City can investigate the incident to uncover the truth and hold the negligent dog owner responsible for your medical bills.

It is important to consult a dog bite attorney in New York City for specialized legal guidance under New York law and statutes. Our team has extensive experience handling dog bite cases in New York City. In some cases, you may also be able to pursue additional compensation and hold the negligent owner liable for other related damages. During this challenging time, while you focus on your recovery and moving forward with your life, let our New York City personal injury lawyers handle your case, guide you through the legal process, and help you recover maximum compensation for your losses. We offer a free case evaluation to help you understand your rights and options at no initial cost. Discover why we’re highly rated by reading our reviews and visiting us on Google Maps.

Table Of Contents

    How Can a New York City Dog Bite Attorney Help?

    If you were bitten by a dog, you may have sustained life-changing injuries that can require ongoing medical treatment, including reconstructive surgery. If you’re unable to work or you missed a significant amount of work as you were recovering from your injuries, you must take legal action as soon as possible. At Parker Waichman LLP, our dog bite injury lawyers can help during this time, in many ways, including:

    • Investigate the incident
    • Gather evidence
    • Contact animal control to learn whether the dog has a history of attacks
    • Identify the dog’s owner
    • Calculate damages
    • File paperwork
    • Handle all communication with the insurance company
    • File a lawsuit, if necessary, and represent you in court
    • Guide you through every step of your personal injury lawsuit to help you recover damages for your injuries
    • Help you file a dog bite claim and navigate the legal process

    Working with an experienced attorney is important for your personal injury case, as dog bite cases fall under personal injury law, which governs the legal standards and time limits for seeking compensation, to ensure the best possible outcome. During this time, while you focus on your recovery, let an experienced New York City dog bite lawyer on our legal team handle every aspect of your case and fight for your right to fair compensation. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you recover compensation for your injuries by establishing liability and pursuing damages through the appropriate dog bite claim process.

    What to Do After a Dog Bite Incident

    Dog bites occur frequently in New York City, making it important to know what steps to take if you are attacked. If you were bitten by a dog, your top priority is getting medical attention. Your next priority should be contacting a New York City dog bite injury lawyer at Parker Waichman LLP.

    Doing the following steps is important to establishing a viable claim and protecting your legal claim for compensation. These steps will help you protect your health and legal rights:

    Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

    Regardless of how severe you believe the bite to be, you must have a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Even a harmless, minor bite can result in a serious, life-threatening infection.

    Document the Incident

    Document the details of the incident. Take photos of your injuries, and the scene where the attack took place, and note the time, date, and location of the incident. Write down a description of the dog and anything the owner of the dog said.

    Report the Incident

    Contact animal control or law enforcement to report the incident. Doing so will create an official record of the attack, which can help strengthen your case.

    Obtain Contact Information

    If anyone witnessed the incident obtain their names and contact information. Witness testimony can help corroborate your account of the attack. If you’re able to identify the dog’s owner, obtain their name, insurance information, and contact information.

    Contact a Dog Bite Injury Attorney

    Schedule a free legal consultation with an experienced dog bite injury lawyer at Parker Waichman LLP as soon as possible. Bring any evidence and documentation you have to your consultation. This can include your medical records, police report, medical bills, and photos of your injuries.

    NY Dog Bite Laws

    In some cases, the dog’s owner may not be the only party that can be held liable for your injuries and other losses. Liability for a dog bite can be based on the owner’s negligence or the dog’s vicious propensities, such as prior dangerous behavior. The dog’s owner has a responsibility to prevent attacks by properly caring for, handling, and supervising their dog.

    The following parties can be held liable for a dog bite incident:

    • Owner of the dog
    • Landlords
    • The individual responsible for pet-sitting or watching the dog
    • Property owners

    An experienced dog bite injury lawyer can determine if you have a claim against multiple parties. Naming more than one defendant can help the injured party maximize their compensation.

    Free Consultation

    Parker Waichman LLP

    Untitled(Required)

    Contact Us Today

    If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident or have been injured by another party in some other way, we are here to stand up for your rights. Our personal injury attorneys have been representing injury victims and their families in Long Island and throughout the nation since the early 1980s.

    Liability Laws for Dog Bites

    New York’s dog bite laws are unique, as New York’s approach to dog bite liability—often referred to as New York dog bite law—blends strict liability with the one-bite rule. Under New York law, liability for dog bites combines elements of both strict liability and the one-bite rule, impacting how damages are assessed. Specifically, New York state law holds a dog owner strictly liable for medical costs and medical expenses resulting from a dog bite, regardless of the dog’s prior behavior.

    In New York, the mixed liability laws apply as follows:

    • The owner of the dog is strictly liable for the victim’s medical costs and medical expenses for any dog attack
    • The owner of the dog is only liable for additional damages if the dog owner knew or should’ve known that their animal had a history of biting or had vicious propensities

    If the dog owner knew or had prior knowledge of the dog’s vicious propensity or vicious propensities, they may be liable for additional damages beyond medical expenses. Evidence of a dog’s vicious propensities, such as previous complaints or aggressive behavior, is important in establishing liability under New York’s legal standards.

    While the dog’s owner can be held strictly liable for medical bills, it can be challenging to hold them responsible for additional damages. Dog owners are also held strictly liable if the incident involved a dangerous dog.

    What is a Dangerous Dog in New York

    The state defines dangerous dogs as:

    • The dog attacks, injures, or kills a human or another animal
    • The dog has acted aggressively, in a way that causes a reasonable person to believe the animal could cause imminent or serious harm
    • The dog causes serious physical injury or physical injury to a person

    When a dog attacked someone, the law considers the severity of the injuries, such as whether a serious physical injury or physical injury occurred, and whether the dog exhibited vicious behavior.

    Dog attack victims have specific rights under New York law, including the ability to seek compensation for injuries resulting from a dog attack. However, if there is justification for a dog acting aggressively or causing death or injury, the dog may not be considered dangerous.

    Damages After a Dog Bite Incident

    Regardless of whether a dog has attacked anyone in the past, the owner of the dog can be strictly liable for medical bills. If the owner of the dog was negligent, or if the animal has a history of viciousness, the injured party may be entitled to additional compensation for the following types of damages:

    • Pain and suffering
    • Lost wages
    • Loss of income
    • Lost earnings
    • Disability
    • Emotional distress
    • Reduced earning capacity
    • Scarring and disfigurement
    • Loss of enjoyment of life

    And more.

    Dog bite victims may be entitled to financial compensation for all losses, including pocket expenses, lost earnings, and the physical toll of their injuries. At Parker Waichman LLP, a New York City dog bite injury lawyer on our legal team will focus on maximizing the verdict or settlement you secure.

    Types of Dog Bite Injuries

    A dog attack can result in devastating injuries that can impact the victim’s life forever. A dog’s claws, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth can cause significant injuries, including:

    • Puncture wounds
    • Soft tissue damage
    • Broken bones
    • Evisceration
    • Eye injuries
    • Nerve damage
    • Facial injuries
    • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
    • Injured ligaments and muscles
    • Wrongful death

    A dog attack can also cause emotional injuries, such as anxiety, distress, PTSD, depression, and more.

    Contact Us Today

    A dog bite can result in devastating, disfiguring injuries, PTSD, and significant financial burdens. Don’t hesitate to hire a lawyer from Parker Waichman LLP. If you were bitten by a dog in New York City due to a negligent dog owner, Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced dog bite injury lawyer and learn how our law firm can help you recover the compensation you’re owed. We can get you the compensation and justice you deserve.

    Free Consultation

    Parker Waichman LLP

    Untitled(Required)

    • Top 50 Jury Verdicts
    • Billion Dollar Trial Lawyers Badge
    • AVVO 9.8 Rating
    • BBB Accrideted
    • Best Lawyers 2020
    • Bar Registrar Preeminent Lawyers
    • SuperLawyers
    Parker Waichman Reviews

    4.8 from 549 Reviews

    Related Testimonials

    Our law firm is ready to represent you in your injury case. We’ve helped many New York residents as well as those needing help nationwide. Contact our team for a free case consultation today.

    Star Icon

    I had a great experience with them , everyone was very helpful and sweet.

    Michelle Murphy

    4 months ago

    Google Icon
    Star Icon

    Zarahi was very professional and very Quick and very knowledgeable i realy appreciated her patience and perseverance she Deserves 100 stars 🌟 but since i can only send 5 i Guess i will just have to send that truly yours Rashine Downs

    Kush Three

    6 months ago

    Google Icon
    Star Icon

    VERY NICE WORK PLACE THEY HAVE BEEN GOOD TO MY MOM

    Whitney Brinson

    5 years ago

    Google Icon
    Star Icon

    They treated me with tender love and care

    Terrell Weaver

    2 months ago

    Google Icon
    Star Icon

    Wonderful people. They made the whole process if dealing with a gov’t agency so easy. Special compliments to Gina Viti

    Michael Ross

    2 months ago

    Google Icon
    Star Icon

    I’m a 9/11 first responder, and I can honestly say that Parker Waichman made me feel like they had my best interest in my VCF case. Ms Candalino & Ms Viti are top notch in my book. I was constantly informed on the status of my case. I would definitely recommend Parker Waichman LLP to family and friends.

    D D

    6 years ago

    Google Icon
    We Have Many Locations To Serve You
    Serving Mass Tort Clients Nationally

    We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.

    Parker Waichman LLP

    6 Harbor Park Drive

    Port Washington, NY 11050

    (516) 466-6500

    Parker Waichman LLP

    201 Old Country Road – Suite 145

    Melville, NY 11747

    (631) 390-0800

    Parker Waichman LLP

    59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor

    New York, NY 10038

    (212) 267-6700

    Parker Waichman LLP

    118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400

    Forest Hills, NY 11375

    (718) 469-6900

    Parker Waichman LLP

    300 Cadman Plaza West

    One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor

    Brooklyn, NY 11201

    (718) 554-8055

    Parker Waichman LLP

    27299 Riverview Center Boulevard, Suite 108

    Bonita Springs, FL 34134

    (239) 390-1000

    Parker Waichman LLP

    80 Main St #265

    West Orange, NJ 07052

    (973) 323-3603
    Nationwide Service

    We handle mass torts cases nationwide. Please contact our office to learn more.

    Call Us