Long Island Dog Bite Lawyer
Over 40 years of experience representing Long Island residents injured by dangerous dog attacks throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Uniondale office centrally located on Long Island. Free consultation 24/7.
Experienced Dog Bite Representation Across Long Island
Long Island, home to nearly 3 million residents across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, has one of the highest dog ownership rates in the nation. From affluent North Shore communities like Great Neck, Manhasset, and Huntington to family-oriented neighborhoods in Levittown, Massapequa, and Smithtown, Long Island residents encounter dogs daily in parks, on sidewalks, and in residential areas.
With extensive park systems, beach communities, and suburban neighborhoods stretching from Queens to Montauk, dangerous dog attacks occur throughout the region. When you're injured by a dog bite on Long Island, you need local attorneys who understand both Nassau and Suffolk County Supreme Courts.
At Licatesi Law Group, our main office is located in Uniondale, Nassau County - centrally positioned on Long Island to serve all communities across both counties. We have over 40 years of experience representing Long Island dog bite victims.
We're familiar with every Long Island community, understand Nassau County SPCA and Suffolk County SPCA procedures, local police departments throughout the region, and the unique challenges of dog bite cases involving Long Island's affluent property owners.
We regularly appear in both Nassau County Supreme Court (Mineola) and Suffolk County Supreme Court (Riverhead) and have recovered over $100 million for injured clients.
Major Long Island Hospitals Treating Dog Bite Injuries
We represent Long Island dog bite victims who received treatment at:
- NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island (Mineola)
- Nassau University Medical Center (East Meadow)
- Stony Brook University Hospital
- Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center (West Islip)
- Southside Hospital (Bay Shore)
- St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center (Smithtown)
- Huntington Hospital
- Peconic Bay Medical Center (Riverhead)
Long Island Dog Bite Statistics
Long Island's extensive suburban character and high dog ownership rates create unique dog bite risks:
400-500
Annual reported dog bites across Long Island
60%+
Involve children under 12 years old
2.8M+
Long Island residents (Nassau + Suffolk Counties)
Why Long Island dog bites are so common: Long Island encompasses Nassau County (1.4M+ residents) and Suffolk County (1.4M+ residents), creating one of the most affluent and densely dog-populated suburban regions in America. Single-family homes with yards mean extremely high dog ownership rates per capita.
Long Island families own more large breed dogs (German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Pit Bulls) than most suburban areas. Extensive park systems in both counties see heavy dog traffic. Residential neighborhoods in Huntington, Smithtown, Islip, Brookhaven, Babylon, and throughout Nassau County have significant dog-pedestrian interactions.
Children playing in Long Island neighborhoods encounter dogs on sidewalks, in yards, at parks, and on beaches. Affluent Long Island residents often have multiple dogs and large properties creating control challenges.
Common Locations for Dog Bites in Long Island
Long Island dog bites frequently occur in these affluent suburban locations:
Long Island Parks & Beaches
- • Jones Beach State Park (Nassau)
- • Robert Moses State Park (Suffolk)
- • Sunken Meadow State Park (Suffolk)
- • Caumsett State Park (Suffolk)
- • Fire Island National Seashore
- • Heckscher State Park (Suffolk)
- • County parks throughout Nassau & Suffolk
- • Town parks and dog-friendly beaches
Affluent Suburban Residential Areas
- • Single-family home yards and driveways
- • Residential streets in Huntington, Smithtown, Islip
- • Sidewalks in Brookhaven, Babylon, Oyster Bay
- • Private properties in affluent neighborhoods
- • Playgrounds and school yards
- • Shopping centers and commercial areas
Types of Dog Bite Injuries in Long Island
Physical Injuries
- Puncture Wounds: Deep tissue damage from canine teeth requiring emergency treatment at Stony Brook, NYU Winthrop, or Good Samaritan hospitals.
- Facial Injuries: Particularly devastating for Long Island children playing in neighborhoods or parks - plastic surgery, permanent scarring, disfigurement.
- Nerve Damage: Resulting in permanent numbness, loss of function, chronic pain requiring long-term care at Long Island medical centers.
- Infections: Bacterial infections, rabies exposure, tetanus requiring immediate vaccination at Long Island emergency rooms.
- Broken Bones: From large breed attacks in Long Island yards, parks, or beaches.
- Scarring & Disfigurement: Permanent cosmetic damage requiring reconstructive surgery.
Psychological Injuries
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety about Long Island parks and neighborhoods, fear of encountering dogs while playing outside.
- Cynophobia (Fear of Dogs): Debilitating phobia preventing normal activities in Long Island's extremely dog-friendly suburban communities.
- Anxiety & Depression: Particularly in children attacked at Long Island parks, beaches, or neighborhood yards.
- Social Withdrawal: Avoiding Long Island parks and beaches, avoiding neighborhood walks, inability to play outside normally.
- Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, nightmares about the Long Island attack.
- Emotional Distress: Ongoing mental anguish requiring counseling with Long Island therapists or psychiatrists.
Compensation for Long Island Dog Bite Victims
Nassau and Suffolk County juries understand the impact of dog attacks in affluent suburban Long Island communities. New York has NO caps on damages, and Long Island juries award substantial compensation.
Economic Damages (Full Compensation)
- Medical Expenses: All costs for emergency treatment at Stony Brook University Hospital, NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island (Mineola), NYU Winthrop Hospital (Mineola), Good Samaritan Hospital (West Islip), Southside Hospital (Bay Shore), Peconic Bay Medical Center (Riverhead), or any Long Island medical facility; hospitalization; surgery; rehabilitation; physical therapy; medications; psychological counseling; future medical care.
- Lost Wages: All time missed from work due to injuries, medical appointments, surgery, recovery. Long Island residents often have substantial earning capacity.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your Long Island injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation or earning the same income.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Transportation to Long Island medical appointments, home care, assistive devices.
Non-Economic Damages (No Cap in New York)
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, anxiety, depression, PTSD from the Long Island attack.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in Long Island activities (neighborhood walks, parks, beaches like Jones Beach and Fire Island, playing outside in yards, family activities in suburban communities).
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: Particularly devastating for facial scars, hand injuries affecting work, psychological trauma preventing normal suburban life in Long Island.
- Loss of Consortium: Spouses of Long Island dog bite victims can recover for loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy.
Typical Long Island Dog Bite Case Values
- Minor bites with full recovery: $20,000 - $75,000
- Moderate bites requiring surgery/permanent limitations: $100,000 - $350,000
- Serious bites with permanent disability or facial scarring: $350,000 - $1,500,000+
- Catastrophic injuries (children, severe disfigurement, disability): $1,500,000 - $10,000,000+
Long Island Jury Consideration: Long Island encompasses Nassau County (median income $120K-$125K) and Suffolk County (median income $105K-$110K), both significantly more affluent than NYC. Many Long Island communities have even higher median incomes - Manhasset, Roslyn, Garden City, Great Neck, Huntington Bay, Old Brookville ($150K-$250K+).
Long Island juries are affluent, educated, and understand the value of lost earning capacity, the impact of facial scarring on children's lives and careers, and the psychological trauma of being afraid to play outside in your own Long Island neighborhood.
Long Island juries have awarded substantial verdicts in serious dog bite cases, particularly those involving children injured in residential neighborhoods, parks, or beaches.
The Long Island Dog Bite Legal Process
Understanding the legal process for Long Island dog bite cases helps you know what to expect when pursuing justice in Nassau or Suffolk County Supreme Courts.
Immediate Medical Treatment on Long Island
Seek emergency treatment at the nearest Long Island hospital: Stony Brook University Hospital (major Level I trauma center serving Suffolk County), NYU Langone Hospital—Long Island (Mineola - Level I trauma center serving Nassau County), NYU Winthrop Hospital (Mineola), Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center (West Islip), Southside Hospital (Bay Shore), or Peconic Bay Medical Center (Riverhead). Document all injuries with photographs.
Dog bites carry serious infection risks including bacteria, rabies, and tetanus. Long Island emergency rooms are equipped to handle dog bite injuries and will report the incident to county health authorities.
Report to Long Island Authorities
File reports with the appropriate county: Nassau County Department of Health (516-227-9717 for Animal Control) or Suffolk County SPCA (631-382-7722). Also report to your local police department (Nassau County Police Department or Suffolk County Police Department, or village/town police).
Provide the location where the attack occurred (specific address in your Long Island community - Huntington, Smithtown, Islip, Brookhaven, Babylon, Oyster Bay, Hempstead, etc.), description of the dog, owner information if known, and description of your injuries. Official reports create documented evidence for your Nassau or Suffolk County Supreme Court case.
Contact Our Long Island Dog Bite Attorneys
Call (516) 227-2662 immediately for a free consultation. Do NOT speak to the dog owner's insurance company or give recorded statements before consulting an attorney. Insurance companies will try to minimize your Long Island claim or trick you into accepting inadequate settlements.
Our attorneys understand Nassau and Suffolk County courts, Long Island communities (Huntington, Smithtown, Islip, Brookhaven, Babylon, and all Nassau County neighborhoods), and how to maximize your recovery. We work on a contingency basis - no fees unless we win.
Investigation of Your Long Island Case
Our attorneys immediately investigate: the dog's history (prior bites or aggressive behavior reported to Nassau or Suffolk County Animal Control), owner's knowledge of dangerous propensities, witness statements from Long Island neighbors who saw the attack or know the dog's history, veterinary records, compliance with Long Island leash laws and ordinances, and available insurance coverage (homeowner's insurance policies on Long Island typically range from $300,000 to $1,000,000+ given property values).
We photograph the attack scene in your Long Island neighborhood, document dangerous conditions, and preserve evidence before it disappears.
Demand Letter & Settlement Negotiations
Once your Long Island medical treatment is complete (or reaches maximum medical improvement), we send a comprehensive demand letter to the dog owner's insurance company.
This letter details your injuries from the Long Island attack, medical treatment at Long Island hospitals, economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages), non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring), legal liability under New York law, and our settlement demand. Most Long Island dog bite cases settle without trial. We negotiate aggressively to maximize your compensation.
Many insurance companies offer low initial settlements hoping Long Island victims will accept quickly - we fight for full compensation.
Filing Lawsuit in Nassau or Suffolk County Supreme Court
If settlement negotiations fail, we file a lawsuit in Nassau County Supreme Court (100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501) or Suffolk County Supreme Court (1 Court Street, Riverhead, NY 11901 - or Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex, 400 Carleton Avenue, Central Islip, NY 11722).
New York's statute of limitations requires filing within 3 years of the Long Island attack (with special rules for children). CRITICAL: If you were bitten on county property (parks, sidewalks, public buildings), you must file a Notice of Claim with Nassau or Suffolk County within 90 DAYS. Missing this deadline destroys your case against the County.
Filing a lawsuit shows the insurance company you're serious about pursuing justice in Long Island courts.
Discovery & Depositions
Both sides exchange evidence about your Long Island dog bite case: written interrogatories (questions answered under oath), document requests (medical records from Long Island hospitals, Nassau or Suffolk County Animal Control reports, police reports, insurance policies, veterinary records), and depositions (sworn testimony from you, the dog owner, and Long Island witnesses).
This process strengthens your Long Island case and often leads to increased settlement offers as the insurance company realizes the strength of your evidence and the risk of a Nassau or Suffolk County jury trial.
Trial in Nassau or Suffolk County Supreme Court
If no settlement is reached, we take your case to trial before a Long Island jury. Nassau County juries (Mineola) and Suffolk County juries (Riverhead or Central Islip) are affluent, educated, and award substantial verdicts.
They understand the challenges of living in suburban communities with large breed dogs, the impact of facial scarring on children's lives, the psychological trauma of being afraid to play outside in your own Long Island neighborhood, and the loss of quality of life in Long Island communities.
We present evidence of your injuries (medical records from Long Island hospitals, photos, expert testimony), the dog's vicious propensities (prior bites, aggressive behavior, county Animal Control records), owner negligence (violated leash laws, failed to control dog), economic damages, and non-economic damages.
New York has NO caps on damages, allowing Long Island juries to award full compensation including substantial amounts for pain and suffering, scarring, and emotional trauma.
Timeline: Long Island dog bite cases typically take 12-24 months from injury to resolution (settlement or trial verdict), though some cases resolve faster through early settlement negotiations.
Contingency Fee: We work on a contingency basis - you pay NOTHING upfront and NOTHING unless we win your Long Island case. Our fee is a percentage of your recovery.
Long Island Dog Bite FAQs
Contact Our Long Island Dog Bite Lawyers Today
Free consultation. No fees unless we win. Uniondale office centrally located on Long Island. Serving all of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Available 24/7.
Long Island Communities We Serve
Our Long Island dog bite lawyers represent clients throughout all of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including: