Dog Attacks

New York Dog Bite Law

Attorneys at our Brooklyn firm help dog bite victims recover compensation for the trauma, scarring, nerve and muscle damage, and other medical and psychological problems that follow a dog attack. In New York, dog owners and handlers are subject to absolute liability – if the dog bites, the owner is responsible. If you, your child or your dog was the victim of a dog attack and you would like to discuss a possible claim, please call our office and arrange for a complimentary consultation with one of our lawyers.

Dog bites are common throughout the United States. Dogs bite approximately 4.7 million people, or 2% of the U.S. population, every year. Severe injuries from dog bites occur almost exclusively in children under 10 years of age. The physical and psychological effects of a dog bite can be severe. A dog attack can result in permanent scarring, nerve and muscle damage and the need for follow-up surgery. The psychological effects of an attack are also a great concern, as many of those who are bitten are small children.

Dog bites and absolute liability

New York State law imposes absolute liability on an owner or custodian of a dangerous dog for medical or veterinary bills resulting from any type of injuries inflicted upon a person or animal. Beyond the medical bills, New York is a "one-bite" state, meaning an owner will be responsible only for injuries sustained in an attack caused by (1) negligence, (2) a violation of a leash law or prohibition to running loose law, or (3) owning a dog with knowledge that the dog has a violent history. Additionally, a dog owner can be criminally convicted of a misdemeanor if the owner negligently permits his dog to bite you, the dog has a violent history and the injury is a serious injury. Our lawyers have handled dog bite claims in Brooklyn and know how the New York City insurance providers and courts interpret the law. Section 121 of New York State's Agriculture & Markets Law spells the right of a dog attack victim to full compensation for his or her injuries, medical costs, pain and suffering, loss of physical ability, mental anguish, loss of earning capacity and more.

If you are attacked by a dog

If you are attacked by a dog, first try to block the animal with any object. If the dog knocks you down to the ground, curl into a ball and protect your face, neck and ears. Following the attack, there are a number of steps that must be taken:

• Get immediate medical attention, if needed (make sure to keep copies of all your records)
• Maintain contact with any witnesses
• Obtain a copy of the dog's medical history
• Investigate the scene
• Obtain animal control records
• Obtain police reports
• Contact an experienced attorney

It is extremely important to identify the dog that bit you, so that you can contact the owner of that animal. Finding out as much as possible about the dog and the owner, including any insurance-related information, is essential for your potential case.

Compensation for dog bite injuries

If the owner of the dog has insurance find out the name of the insurance company, the address of their office, their telephone number and the policy owner's name. There are various types of insurance policies that cover dog attacks:

• Homeowners insurance
• Renters insurance
• Landlords insurance
• Commercial general liability insurance

For information about dog bite prevention: http://spokanimal.org/bite.html

At Lozner & Mastropietro, our Brooklyn lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of dog bites get full compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a dog attack or you simply need more information, please call 1-718-615-0044 or click Tell Us About Your Case.

Tell Us About Your Case

Frequently Asked Questions: Personal Injury