A dog bite can leave you dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and emotional distress, all at once. If someone else’s dog attacked you, your child, or another family member on Long Island, you deserve answers and real legal support.
At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, our Long Island dog bite lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you need. Call us today at (631) 250-4072 for a free consultation.
What Does New York Law Say About Dog Bites?
New York follows a specific legal framework when it comes to dog bite liability. Knowing how it works helps you understand your options. Under New York law, a dog owner can be held responsible for your medical costs if the dog had a known history of dangerous behavior.
This is sometimes called the “one bite rule,” though the name is a bit misleading. It doesn’t mean a dog gets one free attack. It means the owner must have had reason to know the dog was dangerous.
Where Do Dog Bites Happen on Long Island?
Dog attacks occur in various settings across Nassau and Suffolk counties. A loose dog might approach you on the trails at Caumsett State Historic Preserve in Lloyd Harbor, or a neighbor’s dog might get out of a yard in a residential area of Hauppauge.
Attacks have happened at busy spots like the Huntington Village green, at dog-friendly beaches along the South Shore, and in neighborhoods throughout Babylon.
Children are especially vulnerable during outdoor play in places like Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, where families gather on weekends. No matter where the attack happened, the location and circumstances matter when building your claim.
Our team investigates where the incident occurred, what local ordinances applied, and what the dog’s history of dangerous behavior looked like.
What Injuries Result from Dog Attacks?
Dog bites cause a range of serious injuries. Beyond the initial wound, victims frequently deal with nerve damage, scarring, and infections that can become life-threatening without prompt treatment.
Children often suffer facial injuries that require multiple surgeries. Bites to the hands and fingers can affect a person’s ability to work for weeks or months. The recovery process is often longer and more costly than victims initially anticipate.
Physical Injuries Common in Dog Attacks
The physical harm from a dog bite goes well beyond broken skin. Depending on the size of the dog and the nature of the attack, injuries can range from moderate to severe:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations that damage underlying muscle and tissue
- Nerve damage that causes lasting numbness, weakness, or loss of function in the affected area
- Bone fractures, particularly in the hands, wrists, and arms from a defensive struggle
- Facial injuries, including damage to the nose, ears, lips, and eyes, which are especially common in attacks on children
- Scarring and disfigurement that may require plastic or reconstructive surgery
Infections and Complications
One of the most underestimated risks after a dog bite is infection. Dog mouths carry bacteria that can cause serious complications even when the wound itself looks minor. Infections to watch for include:
- Cellulitis, a skin infection that spreads quickly and requires antibiotic treatment
- Sepsis, a severe, body-wide response to infection that can become life-threatening
- Capnocytophaga, a bacteria found in dog saliva that poses particular danger to people with weakened immune systems
- Rabies exposure, which requires immediate post-exposure treatment if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown
The Emotional and Psychological Impact
Physical injuries aren’t the only harm that matters. Many dog bite victims, especially children, develop anxiety, nightmares, and a lasting fear of dogs after an attack. Post-traumatic stress is a recognized and compensable injury in New York personal injury cases.
Adults who are bitten sometimes struggle to return to activities they once enjoyed, particularly if the attack happened in a familiar place like a neighborhood in Commack or a public trail in Bethpage State Park.
Getting Medical Treatment on Long Island
If you were attacked, getting prompt medical attention is the first step. Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park and Stony Brook University Hospital in Stony Brook both have emergency departments equipped to treat serious dog bite injuries.
Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip and Huntington Hospital are also well-regarded options for urgent care after an attack.
Your medical records from these visits are among the most important pieces of evidence in your case. They document the severity of your injuries and connect them directly to the dog attack. The stronger and more complete your medical documentation, the stronger your claim.
Why You Need a Dog Bite Attorney on Your Side
An attorney can deal with insurance companies who won’t pay fair settlements. Insurers have adjusters and legal teams working to minimize what they pay out. Without a skilled attorney representing you, you may receive a lowball offer that doesn’t come close to covering your full losses.
What Insurance Companies Do After a Dog Bite Claim
When you file a claim, the dog owner’s insurance company opens an investigation of their own. Their goal is to limit their payout, not to make sure you’re treated fairly. Some of the tactics they use include:
- Contacting you quickly after the attack, before you fully understand your injuries or your rights
- Asking for recorded statements that can be used to undermine your claim later
- Disputing the severity of your injuries or arguing that prior conditions contributed to your damages
- Offering a fast, low settlement before you know the full cost of your recovery
Without an attorney, you may not recognize these tactics until it’s too late to push back.
What Our Attorneys Do for You
A dog bite lawyer in Long Island who knows New York’s dog liability laws understands how to build a case that holds up. At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, we handle every aspect of your claim so you don’t have to go up against an insurance company alone. That includes:
- Gathering animal control records and documenting the dog’s history of dangerous behavior
- Collecting witness statements and photographic evidence from the scene
- Working with medical professionals to fully document your injuries and future care needs
- Calculating the true value of your claim, including damages that aren’t always obvious, like lost earning capacity and psychological harm
- Handling all communication and negotiation with the insurance carrier on your behalf
The Cost of Going It Alone
Victims who handle dog bite claims without legal representation often settle for far less than their case is worth. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators. They deal with injury claims every day. You shouldn’t have to match that experience on your own while you’re also trying to recover from a traumatic attack.
Having a knowledgeable attorney in your corner changes the dynamic. Insurance companies respond differently when they know a skilled legal team is prepared to take a case to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
Contingency Fee Representation — No Upfront Costs to You
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There’s no financial risk in calling us, and there’s no pressure during your free consultation.
If you or a family member was attacked by a dog anywhere on Long Island, from a neighborhood in Massapequa to a public space in Riverhead, call Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP at (631) 250-4072 today.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
The compensation available in a dog bite case depends on the specifics of your injuries and the circumstances of the attack. New York law allows injured victims to seek damages that reflect the full scope of what they’ve been through, not just the immediate medical bills.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses connected to your injuries:
- Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, hospitalizations, physical therapy, and medication
- Lost wages for the time you missed work during your recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to perform your job long-term
- Out-of-pocket costs related to your care, such as transportation to medical appointments
Non-Economic Damages
Not every loss shows up on a bill. New York courts recognize that dog bite victims suffer in ways that go beyond financial harm:
- Physical pain and suffering connected to your injuries and recovery
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress
- Scarring and disfigurement, which courts take seriously, particularly in cases involving facial injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life if the attack has limited your daily activities
In cases involving a child victim or a particularly reckless owner, additional damages may be available. We’ll walk you through what your specific claim may be worth during your free consultation
What Steps Should I Take After a Dog Bite on Long Island?
If possible, take the following steps after a dog attack to protect your health and legal rights:
- Seek medical care right away, even if the wound seems minor. Infections can develop quickly, and your treatment records document the injury from the start.
- Report the incident to local animal control. In Nassau County, that’s the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In Suffolk County, the Animal Control Division handles these reports.
- Get the dog owner’s contact and insurance information if possible.
- Document your injuries with photographs as they heal and worsen over time.
- Keep records of every medical appointment, every prescription, every day of work you missed.
Then contact us. The sooner we get involved, the better positioned we are to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites on Long Island
How do dog bite lawsuits work in New York?
In New York, a dog bite lawsuit is usually a claim against the dog’s owner. Since the Court of Appeals decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow in 2025, you can pursue the owner under strict liability if they knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, or under ordinary negligence if they failed to use reasonable care. Most claims are paid by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. You generally have three years to file.
Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites?
Yes. Most homeowners and renters insurance policies include liability coverage that pays for dog bites caused by the policyholder’s dog, even when the bite happens away from the home. New York insurers can no longer exclude certain breeds but there may be other exclusions, such as dogs with a bite history. Insurance coverage limits vary. In practice, a dog bite claim against an owner is usually paid by their insurance company, not out of their pocket.
What should I do after a dog bite?
After a dog bite, wash the wound with soap and water and get medical care, because dog bites often become infected. Get the owner’s name, address, and proof of rabies vaccination, and take photos of your injuries and the location. Report the bite to your county health department and ask for witness contact information. Keep all medical records and bills, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the owner’s insurer before getting legal advice.
What is the average dog bite settlement?
There is no reliable average dog bite settlement, because injuries range from minor punctures to severe facial scarring, limb damage or nerve damage. The value of your claim depends on your medical bills, scarring, future surgery, lost income, emotional impact, and the owner’s insurance limits.
Can you sue for a dog bite?
Yes, you can sue for a dog bite in New York. The claim is usually brought against the dog’s owner. You can claim strict liability if the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous tendencies, such as growling, snapping, or lunging. After the 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision, you can also claim negligence if the owner failed to control the dog with reasonable care. The claim is usually paid by the owner’s insurance.
How do I report a dog bite on Long Island?
Report a dog bite in Suffolk County to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at 631-854-0333 on weekdays, or 631-852-4820 after hours. In Nassau County, contact the Nassau County Department of Health. The report starts a rabies check on the dog. You can also report the bite to local animal control or the police, which creates a record that can support your claim. Hospitals are also mandatory reporters of dog bites.
I was bitten by a dog at work. Can I file a claim?
If a dog bit you while you were working, you can usually file a workers’ compensation claim for your medical bills and lost wages. If the dog belonged to someone other than your employer, such as a customer or homeowner on your route, you may also be able to bring a claim against that owner. That second claim can include pain and suffering, which workers’ compensation does not pay.
Should I get a lawyer for a dog bite?
If the bite needed medical care, left a scar, or caused you to miss work, it is usually worth speaking with a dog bite lawyer. Dog bite cases in New York depend on proving the owner’s knowledge or negligence, and the law changed in 2025. A lawyer can gather the dog’s history, deal with the insurance company, and value scarring and future treatment. Rosenberg & Gluck offers a free consultation so there is zero risk to you when you speak with us to discuss yoru options.
What happens to a dog after it bites someone in New York?
After a bite, the dog is usually confined and watched for 10 days to check for rabies. If the bite was serious, someone can file a complaint under New York’s Agriculture and Markets Law, and a judge may declare the dog dangerous. The court can then order training, a leash and muzzle, insurance, or in rare severe cases, euthanasia. A dog bite claim against the owner’s insurance does not decide what happens to the dog.
How long does a dog bite settlement take?
Most dog bite settlements take several months to a year, and cases that go into litigation can take longer. Simple claims with clear evidence and full recovery move faster. Cases involving serious scarring or children often wait until doctors know whether future surgery is needed. Disputes about the dog’s history or the owner’s knowledge can also add time.
Should I go to the hospital for a dog bite?
Yes, in most cases. Dog bites can cause deep puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, and rabies exposure, even when the skin looks only lightly broken. Go to the hospital or an urgent care if the wound is deep, will not stop bleeding, is on the face, hands, or joints, or if you do not know the dog’s vaccination status. Medical records also document your injury for any claim.
Who is liable for a dog bite in New York?
In New York, the dog’s owner is usually liable. The owner is strictly liable if they knew or should have known the dog had a dangerous tendency, and since 2025, the owner can also be liable for negligence in controlling the dog. Others can sometimes be liable too, such as a person keeping the dog or a landlord who knew about a dangerous dog and could have removed it. An owner may argue that the injured person was provoking the dog, which can reduce or defeat a claim.
Does New York have a ‘one bite’ rule?
Not anymore in its old form. New York used to require proof that the owner knew the dog was dangerous, which is often called the one bite rule. In Flanders v. Goodfellow in 2025, the Court of Appeals ruled that injured people can also sue for ordinary negligence. A prior bite was never strictly required, because a history of aggression, such as growling, snapping, or lunging, could show a vicious tendency.
Can I sue a landlord for a tenant’s dog bite?
Sometimes. In New York, a landlord can be liable for a tenant’s dog if the landlord knew or should have known the dog was dangerous and had the power to remove it or control the conditions, such as through the lease. Landlords are not liable just because they own the building. Evidence of past complaints or incidents involving the dog is important.
Can I sue if a dog knocked me down but didn’t bite me?
Yes. You do not have to be bitten to have a claim. If a dog knocked you down and you were hurt, you may be able to recover from the owner under strict liability, if they knew the dog had a tendency to jump or charge at people, or under negligence, if they failed to control the dog. Falls caused by dogs often cause fractures, especially for older adults.
Contact Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP for a Free Consultation
If a dog attack has left you or someone you love with serious injuries, don’t face the insurance company alone. The physical pain, the missed work, the medical bills piling up, and the emotional weight of what happened, all of it deserves to be taken seriously.
At Rosenberg & Gluck, LLP, we’ve spent years helping Long Island families hold negligent dog owners accountable and recover real compensation. We know what’s at stake. We know how New York law applies to your situation. And we’re ready to put that knowledge to work for you.
Call us at (631) 250-4072 today for a free, no-obligation consultation. There’s no fee unless we win your case. Long Island families trust us when it matters most, and we’re here for you too.
