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Long Island Dog Bite Lawyer and Attorney

Dog attacks can cause serious injuries and lasting trauma. Our lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact of dog bite injuries and fight aggressively to secure the compensation you deserve.

516-227-2662
Dog bite injury attack victim legal representation aggressive dog lawyer New York

New York State Dog Bite Laws

New York follows a "mixed" approach to dog bite liability, combining elements of strict liability and negligence laws to protect victims.

Strict Liability for Medical Expenses

Dog owners are automatically liable for medical expenses if their dog injures someone, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

  • Emergency room treatments
  • Hospital stays and surgery
  • Ongoing medical care
  • Physical therapy
  • Psychological counseling

Negligence for Other Damages

For non-medical damages, victims must prove the owner was negligent or knew the dog had "vicious propensities."

  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Permanent scarring
  • Emotional distress
  • Reduced earning capacity

Long Island dog bite lawyer review

What a Long Island Dog Bite Attorney Looks For First

A dog bite claim is not only about the first medical bill. A Long Island dog bite lawyer should identify the owner, insurance company, prior warnings, and the medical costs that may continue after the wound closes.

Medical bills and costs

Emergency care, infection treatment, scar revision, therapy, and future medical costs should be documented from the start.

Insurance company proof

Homeowner, renter, landlord, or business coverage can affect recovery. We work to identify every available policy.

Law firm investigation

Prior complaints, leash violations, witness statements, and owner knowledge can show why the attack should have been prevented.

Dog bite liability documentation for a New York injury claim

Owner knowledge and control

We Document the Dog's History Before It Gets Rewritten

Dog bite claims are rarely just about the bite itself. The strongest cases connect the injury to prior warnings, leash-law violations, inadequate restraint, insurance coverage, and the medical record documenting scarring, infection risk, nerve damage, or trauma.

Incident and owner records

Animal-control reports, prior complaints, neighbor accounts, and lease or property rules can show notice and control.

Coverage and injury proof

Homeowner, renter, landlord, and business policies must be identified while the medical record tracks the full harm.

What matters in a New York dog bite claim

A strong dog bite case does not need a long injury catalog. It needs proof of the bite, the dog's history, the owner's control, insurance coverage, and a medical record that shows the full effect of the attack.

Injury proof

ER records, infection treatment, scar photos, plastic-surgery opinions, hand limitations, counseling, and school/work disruption matter.

Dog and owner history

Prior bites, lunging, leash complaints, neighborhood warnings, veterinary records, and animal-control reports can prove notice of danger.

Coverage and deadlines

Homeowner's, renter's, business, school, park, or municipal coverage can all matter. Public-property claims may have a 90-day notice issue.

Records to save after a dog bite

  • Photos of wounds, bruising, torn clothing, the scene, the dog if safe, and healing over time.
  • Hospital, urgent-care, rabies/tetanus, prescription, surgery, therapy, and counseling records.
  • Dog owner name, address, insurance details, vaccination records, and witness contact information.
  • Police, health department, animal-control, building, school, park, or property-owner reports.
  • Video from homes, buildings, doorbells, stores, schools, parks, or nearby businesses.
  • Proof of missed work, school absences, scars, activity limits, and future treatment needs.

Why Choose Licatesi Law Group for Your Dog Bite Case

40+ Years of Experience

Our attorneys have decades of experience handling dog bite cases throughout New York. We understand the medical, psychological, and legal complexities of these cases and fight aggressively for full compensation.

Compassionate Representation

We understand the trauma and fear that follow a dog attack, especially for children. Our team provides compassionate support while aggressively pursuing your legal rights and holding negligent dog owners accountable.

Thorough Investigation

We conduct full investigations to prove the dog's vicious propensities, identify all liable parties and insurance sources, and document the full extent of your physical and psychological injuries.

No Fees Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis - you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect fees if we recover compensation for you. This allows injured victims to obtain experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.

Free Consultation • No Fees Unless We Win • Available 24/7

Dog Bite Case Results

$1,021,235
Plaintiff was involved in an auto accident in Long Island sustaining an exacerbation of prior neck and back injuries resulting in spinal surgery and physical therapy. Following careful deliberation, a Suffolk County jury awarded plaintiff a verdict for pain and suffering in the amount of $1,021,235 after a minimal $50,000 pre-trial offer.
$800,000
A hardworking individual's life changed dramatically after an accident at an intersection, leading to severe injuries that required spine surgery. Beyond the physical pain, the accident brought significant emotional and financial hardship.
$650,000
The Licatesi Law Group obtained a $650,000 verdict for a 55 year-old woman who underwent discectomy after being rear-ended at a red light. The Defendant argued the accident was of minimal impact, and that the plaintiff had pre-existing conditions due to a previous spinal surgery. The last offer prior to trial was $12,500.
$899,940
69 year old female with underlying osteoporosis and preexisting spinal degeneration awarded as a result of a motor vehicle accident causing an acute T12 fracture of her spine.
$800,000
66 year old female passenger in a motor vehicle sustained a right distal tibial pilon fracture and a right lateral malleolus fracture both requiring open reduction internal fixation as well as a left knee medial meniscus tear with a left knee subchondral fracture requiring arthroscopic assisted open reduction internal fixation.
$1,605,413
The injured plaintiff was struck from behind on the Hutchinson State Parkway sustaining injuries to the neck, back, and left shoulder. The plaintiff underwent a lumbar fusion and left shoulder surgery. After trial, plaintiff was awarded $1,605,413.39.
$875,000
51 year old male was rear ended sustaining neck and back injuries and successfully resolved his case within eighteen months.
$950,000
63-year-old rear ended on the cross island parkway resulting in an anterior cervical discectomy and permanently disabling her from work
$950,000
Serious intersection crash. Our client suffered significant neck injuries requiring a cervical discectomy and fusion surgery.
$500,000
58-year-old female with preexisting injuries was awarded the maximum recoverable amount of $500,000 at arbitration after being involved in a motor vehicle accident
$750,000
61 year old male was involved in a head on collision exacerbating his prior injuries which resulted in a one level cervical fusion and an arthroscopic shoulder surgery
$1,000,000
Plaintiff rear ended causing herniated discs requiring an ACDF.
$1,770,000
Plaintiff was involved in a car accident resulting in multiple disc herniations requiring percutaneous fluoroscopic-guided epidural treatment and lumbar fusion laminectomy.
$1,025,000
The victim was driving on Route 112, in Medford, when he was stopped at a red traffic signal. His vehicle's rear end was struck by a trailing vehicle and sustained injuries to his neck and shoulder.
$800,000
Plaintiff sustained L3-4 disc herniation; L4-5 disc herniation; L5-S1 disc herniation; T12-L1 disc bulge; L1-L2 disc bulge; L2-3 disc bulge; C6-7 disc herniation with ventral CSF impression; C3-4 disc bulge with impression; C4-5 disc bulge with impression; C5-6 disc bulge with impression; Anterior cervical diskectomy at C6-7 with intervertebral implant; arthrodesis of C6-7.
$650,000
Rear-end collision—Lumbar herniations—Surgery—Defendant contends claim should be considered extinguished as of time of subsequent collision a few years later—$1,000,000 policy—No income claims.
$1,250,000
47 year old male involved in a two car Motor Vehicle Accident during the course of his employment sustaining right shoulder impingement with subsequent surgery as well as multiple cervical and lumbar herniated discs requiring lower back surgery.

Injured by a Dog Attack? We Can Help.

Don't let negligent dog owners escape responsibility. Contact us today for a free consultation.

516-227-2662

Related Practice Areas

Where dog bite evidence usually comes from

The location shapes the claim. Parks, apartment buildings, sidewalks, homes, schools, grooming/daycare facilities, and stores each create different records and insurance questions.

Public places

Parks, sidewalks, beaches, schools, and public buildings may create police, health department, park, school, or municipal notice records.

Private property

Homes, apartment buildings, stores, restaurants, and offices may have insurance, lease, security-camera, complaint, and building-management records.

Dog-care settings

Groomers, walkers, kennels, rescues, and daycares may have intake forms, incident reports, behavior notes, staff witnesses, and business coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dog Bite Lawyers Serving New York

We represent dog bite victims throughout the greater New York area

Ready to Hold Negligent Dog Owners Accountable?

Contact Licatesi Law Group today for a free consultation. No fees unless we win your case.

516-227-2662