Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf HomeDog Bite Injury Lawyers Serving NYC, Long Island, Westchester & All of New York State
Bitten by a dog in New York? Whether the attack happened in New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island), Long Island, Westchester, or Upstate, our top-rated trial attorneys are here to help. Based in Manhattan and representing clients statewide, we have recovered millions for victims of dog attacks, including children and delivery workers left with permanent injuries.
Contact the personal injury law firm of Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf to discuss your case. You pay nothing upfront and no legal fees at all unless we win your case.
We advocate for victims across the New York Metro area and beyond, including:
- Children bitten at parks, playgrounds, or apartment buildings
- Delivery drivers and mail carriers attacked on private property
- Pedestrians or joggers bitten or chased in public spaces
- Visitors to homes or short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo)
When it comes to serious injuries caused by dog attacks, the quality of your legal representation matters. Here's why injured New Yorkers and visitors trust our personal injury attorneys:
- Unmatched Trial Experience – Our attorneys are recognized among the top trial lawyers in the country and have successfully tried and settled some of the largest personal injury cases in New York.
- Record of Results – We have secured more than $5 billion in settlements for injured clients, including over 60 verdicts exceeding $1 million.
- Resources That Win Cases – From expert investigators to top medical experts, we have the legal firepower to build the strongest possible case.
- Reputation for Relentless Advocacy – Insurance companies know we won’t settle for less than full justice, and they prepare accordingly.
- Contingency-Based Fees – You pay nothing upfront. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us a dime.
Why settle for a small law firm when you can have a powerhouse team with a national reputation fighting for you?
A Landmark Shift: Negligence Now Recognized in New York Dog Bite CasesNew York's dog bite laws changed dramatically in April 2025 when the Court of Appeals issued a groundbreaking ruling in Flanders v. Goodfellow. For decades, victims could only recover damages if they proved that the dog had previously shown signs of aggression and that the owner was aware of it. That precedent has now been overturned.
In Flanders v. Goodfellow, a mail carrier was delivering a package when a 70-pound dog slipped past its owner at the front door and launched a violent attack. The victim suffered a serious bite that required multiple surgeries. The Court ruled that even though the dog had no documented history of vicious behavior, the owner could still be held liable for failing to take reasonable precautions.
This decision marks the first time New York has allowed dog bite victims to sue based on negligence. It brings the state in line with the majority of jurisdictions nationwide and ensures that victims no longer face an unfair burden when seeking justice for preventable injuries.
Understanding the New Legal StandardThe focus is no longer on the dog’s past behavior; it’s on the dog owner’s conduct. Under this new negligence framework, victims may recover compensation by showing that the owner failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the incident.
Courts may consider:
- Whether the dog was leashed, fenced, or otherwise contained
- The owner’s reaction to any warning signs of aggression
- Where the bite occurred (e.g., a sidewalk, park, or private residence)
- Whether reasonable steps were taken to prevent foreseeable harm
This development holds dog owners to a higher standard of care. It also removes an unfair legal barrier that, for too long, protected negligent behavior.
Serving All Regions of New York StateNew York City
Our trial lawyers have decades of experience handling dog bite claims in every borough—Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. We understand the city’s housing laws, leash ordinances, and local court systems.
Long Island
We represent dog bite victims in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, including attacks in residential neighborhoods, parks, and private homes. Whether you were attacked in Garden City or Montauk, we’re prepared to fight for you.
Westchester County
From Yonkers to White Plains, we handle cases across Westchester. We’re familiar with county-specific leash and confinement laws that may affect your claim.
Upstate New York
We also take on select cases throughout Upstate NY. If your injuries are serious and the local attorney doesn’t have the resources to go to trial, our firm can step in.
Dog Bite Incidents in NYC and New York StateDog bites are far more common than many people realize:
- Each year, over 4,000 dog bites are reported in New York City alone.
- New York State ranked among the top 5 states for dog bite insurance claims in 2022.
- The average cost of a dog bite claim in New York is over $77,000.
- Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens see the highest numbers of emergency visits for dog bite injuries.
Victims may suffer from lacerations, crush injuries, infections, nerve damage, facial scarring, and psychological trauma. Children are especially vulnerable and often experience the most severe injuries.
- Do You Get Money if a Dog Bites You?
- Is It Worth Suing for a Dog Bite in New York?
- How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Dog Bite in New York City?
- Can I Sue a Dog Owner in New York Even if the Dog Never Bit Anyone Before?
- How Much Is a Dog Bite Lawyer in NYC?
- What Are the Different Levels of Dog Bites?
- What Do I Need To Prove in a Dog Bite Negligence Case?
- What Types of Compensation Can I Recover?
- Is There a Deadline To File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in New York?
- Do Dog Owners Usually Have Insurance To Cover Injuries?
- Do I Have To Pay Anything Upfront To Hire a Lawyer?
- What if the Dog Bite Happened on Private Property?
- What if a Child Was Bitten?
- Why Choose Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf?
You may receive money if a dog bites you by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the dog’s owner. Compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Eligibility depends on liability laws and the circumstances of the bite.
Yes, it is often worth suing for a dog bite in New York. In April 2025, a New York Court of Appeals ruling allowed victims to sue dog owners for negligence even if the dog had no prior aggressive history. This ruling improves chances to recover compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Compensation for a dog bite in New York City depends on your case details, including injury severity, medical costs, and negligence. Settlements typically range from $30,000 to $50,000, but severe injuries can exceed $100,000. You may recover damages for medical bills, lost income, pain, and emotional distress.
Yes. As of 2025, New York law allows dog bite victims to sue dog owners based on negligence, even if the dog has no prior history of aggression.
A dog bite lawyer in NYC typically charges a contingency fee of 33% of your settlement or award. You pay no upfront costs, and the lawyer only collects the fee if you win compensation. This percentage is standard, though exact fees may vary by lawyer and case details.
There are six levels of dog bites: Level 1 shows aggressive behavior without contact; Level 2 leaves tooth marks but no puncture; Level 3 causes shallow punctures; Level 4 results in deep punctures; Level 5 involves multiple deep bites; Level 6 is fatal. Each level reflects increasing severity.
You must show that the dog owner failed to act with reasonable care—such as not using a leash, ignoring signs of aggression, or failing to secure the dog in a safe area.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, disfigurement, psychological trauma, and more. In wrongful death cases, families may also recover funeral expenses and loss of companionship.
Yes. The statute of limitations is three years from the date of the incident. However, if a municipal entity is involved (e.g., a dog owned by a city employee), you may have as little as 90 days to file a notice of claim.
Most do. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies commonly include liability coverage for dog bites, typically ranging from $100,000 to $300,000. However, some insurers exclude specific breeds or impose limits depending on the dog’s history.
No. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
You can still bring a claim. The location of the bite—public or private—does not prevent you from filing a lawsuit if negligence was involved.
Children are often the most seriously injured in dog attacks. In such cases, additional damages may be available for long-term medical care, scarring, emotional trauma, and reduced future earning capacity.
With more than 100 years of experience and over $5 billion recovered for injured clients, our attorneys are widely recognized as some of the top trial lawyers in New York. We take on serious cases with a relentless focus on results, and insurance companies know we will not hesitate to go to trial.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog, contact our team of top-rated New York dog bite injury lawyers. We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we win your case.
Call 212-943-1090 today to protect your rights.
