Dog Bite Attorney in Long Island, NY

Dog bite law in New York surprises almost everyone, so start there. New York is not a pure strict-liability state. Under Agriculture and Markets Law § 123, the owner of a dog that has been legally determined to be "dangerous" is strictly liable for the medical and veterinary costs resulting from an attack. Beyond those costs, recovery for pain and suffering generally requires proving that the owner knew or should have known of the animal's vicious propensities — the standard New York's Court of Appeals confirmed in *Collier v. Zambito* and reinforced in *Bard v. Jahnke*, which held that there is no separate common-law negligence claim against the owner of a domestic animal.

That means these cases are won with evidence of prior behavior: earlier bites or lunges, complaints to a landlord or town, "Beware of Dog" signage, muzzling, confinement, or animal control records. In Nassau County cases are filed in Supreme Court, Mineola; in Suffolk County, Supreme Court, Riverhead. Where the attack occurred on rented property, a landlord who knew of the dog's propensities and had control of the premises may also be responsible — which often matters, because homeowners' or renters' insurance is where recovery comes from.

Deadlines: three years for personal injury (CPLR 214), tolled during infancy under CPLR 208 — significant, since a large share of serious bite victims are children. A 90-day notice of claim applies if a public entity is involved.

Ask how they obtain animal control and prior-complaint records. General information, not legal advice.

No upfront cost. New York injury attorneys work on contingency — a percentage of the recovery, nothing if there is no recovery. One-third of the net recovery is the customary arrangement in New York personal injury matters, subject to the written retainer. Where the injured person is a child, any settlement requires court approval, and the court reviews the fee as part of that process.

What affects the total:

• Whether the case settles with the homeowners' or renters' carrier or requires suit
• Case expenses — animal control and municipal records, prior-complaint investigation, medical records, plastic surgery and scar-revision opinions, deposition transcripts
• Whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated
• Health insurance, Medicare or Medicaid liens
• Whether an infant's compromise proceeding and structured settlement are required

Scarring cases turn on future surgical opinions, so expect expert costs. Ask for the retainer in writing. Our consultation and referral are free.

Because New York's vicious-propensities rule quietly ends dog bite claims that people assumed were automatic, and the difference is almost always whether someone went looking for the dog's history.

• Free consultation; the referral costs you nothing.
• Available 24/7 at (800) 669-0060.
• English, Spanish, and Russian.
• Over 30 years of matching injured people with attorneys across New York and New Jersey.
• Local case experience in Nassau and Suffolk, including serious injury and scarring claims.
• We stay involved after the introduction.

Attorneys in Michael Brook's network give the same guidance in every bite case: report the incident to the local animal control or police so a record exists, identify the owner and the property owner, and photograph the wounds at every stage of healing. Prior-complaint records and healing photographs are the two things these cases are actually decided on.

Because children are so often the victims here, one careful note: serious facial or hand injuries in a child may require surgery years later, and settling before a treating surgeon can speak to future care is difficult to undo.

Disclaimer: Michael Brook Attorney Referral is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation or legal advice. This is general information and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific circumstances. No result is guaranteed.