Dog Bite Lawyer
DOG BITE LAWYER BROOKLN, NY
Your injuries from a dog bite or animal attack are not your fault, and you should not have to absorb the medical costs, lost income, and emotional trauma that come with them. Dog attacks can cause severe lacerations, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and serious psychological harm, particularly in children. Pet owners in New York are responsible for the actions of their animals, and when they fail to control them, they can and should be held accountable.
Our Brooklyn attorneys have been fighting for dog bite victims since 2008. We know how to establish owner liability, deal with homeowners insurance companies, and recover full compensation for every injury you have suffered. You pay nothing unless we win.
$45M+
RECOVERED FOR CLIENTS
2008
ESTABLISHED IN BROOKLYN
$0
FEE UNLESS WE WIN
After the Attack
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Brooklyn
Taking the right steps after a dog bite protects both your health and your legal rights. Act quickly to preserve the evidence your case will depend on.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Dog bites carry a serious risk of infection, nerve damage, and complications that are not always visible right away. Go to the emergency room or urgent care the same day. Prompt medical records are essential documentation for your claim.
Identify the Dog and Its Owner
Get the name, address, and contact information of the dog owner. Ask whether the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccination and request documentation. If the owner refuses, note as many identifying details as possible about both the dog and the person.
Report the Attack to Animal Control
File a report with New York City Animal Control as soon as possible. An official report creates a formal record of the incident and may reveal whether the dog has a history of prior attacks, which is critical to establishing owner liability.
Document Your Injuries
Photograph your wounds immediately and continue documenting them throughout the healing process. Take photos of the location where the attack occurred, including any fencing, signage, or conditions relevant to how the dog got loose.
Do Not Accept Any Payment Without an Attorney
The dog owner or their homeowners insurance carrier may reach out quickly with an offer. Do not accept or sign anything before speaking with our team. Early offers rarely reflect the true value of your injuries.
Common Causes
How and Why Dog Attacks Happen in Brooklyn
Dog attacks are rarely random. In most cases they are the result of an owner’s failure to properly restrain, train, or supervise their animal.
Off-Leash Dogs
New York City law requires dogs to be leashed in public spaces. When owners allow their dogs to roam off-leash and an attack occurs, they bear direct responsibility for the resulting injuries.
Failure to Contain the Animal
Dogs that escape through broken fences, unsecured gates, or open doors reflect an owner’s failure to maintain safe containment. If the owner knew the dog could escape and did nothing, liability is clear.
Known Aggressive History
Under New York’s dangerous dog law, an owner who knows their dog has previously bitten or threatened someone is held to a higher standard of liability. A prior history of aggression significantly strengthens your claim.
Negligent Supervision Around Children
Children are the most frequent victims of serious dog attacks. Owners who allow unsupervised interaction between dogs and young children in unpredictable situations create foreseeable danger.
Provocation Disputes
Dog owners frequently claim the victim provoked the animal to avoid liability. Our attorneys know how to counter these arguments with witness testimony, animal behavior evidence, and a thorough investigation of the facts.
Attacks by Visiting or Borrowed Dogs
Liability does not always rest solely with the registered owner. Individuals who are temporarily in control of a dog when an attack occurs may also bear responsibility for the resulting harm.
Injuries We Handle
Dog Bite Injuries We Represent
Dog attacks can cause injuries that range from minor wounds to permanently disfiguring and disabling harm. Our attorneys represent victims across the full spectrum of dog bite injuries.
- Deep Lacerations and Puncture Wounds
- Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement
- Nerve and Tendon Damage
- Broken Bones from Knockdowns
- Eye and Facial Injuries
- Infections including Rabies and MRSA
- Soft Tissue Damage
- Emotional Trauma and PTSD
- Injuries Requiring Reconstructive Surgery
- Wrongful Death from Severe Animal Attacks
Your Recovery
What Compensation Can You Recover
New York follows a mixed liability standard for dog bite cases. Under the dangerous dog statute, if the owner knew their dog had vicious tendencies, they may face strict liability for medical costs. Beyond medical expenses, additional damages including pain and suffering require proving owner negligence. Our attorneys build cases that pursue the full range of compensation you are entitled to.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Psychological trauma and PTSD
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium for your family
Why Cherny & Podolsky
Brooklyn's Trusted Dog Bite Law Firm Since 2008
We Know New York Dog Bite Law
New York applies a unique standard to dog bite cases that requires understanding both the dangerous dog statute and general negligence principles. Our attorneys know how to build claims that maximize recovery under every applicable legal theory.
Over $45 Million Recovered
Our track record speaks for itself. We have secured millions in settlements and verdicts for injured clients throughout Brooklyn and the greater New York area.
Locally Rooted in Brooklyn
We are a Brooklyn law firm at 2681 East 14th Street, not a national referral service. We know the local courts, the animal control agencies, and the homeowners insurance carriers that handle these cases in New York.
Multilingual Legal Team
Our staff serves clients in English, Russian, Spanish, and more. Every client deserves to fully understand their rights and their options, and we make sure they do.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle all dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay absolutely nothing upfront. Our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you.
Direct Attorney Access
You will work directly with your attorney from your first call to your final settlement. No paralegals, no case managers, no runaround.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is liable when a dog bites someone in New York?
In New York, the dog’s owner is primarily responsible when their animal attacks or injures someone. If the owner knew or should have known that the dog had vicious tendencies, they may face strict liability for all resulting damages. Even without prior knowledge of aggression, an owner can be held liable under general negligence principles if they failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling or restraining their animal. In some cases, landlords and property owners who permitted a known dangerous dog on the premises may also face liability.
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in New York?
The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New York is three years from the date of the attack. However, if the dog was owned by a government employee or the attack occurred on government property, a Notice of Claim may need to be filed within 90 days. Do not wait to contact us. Acting early allows our team to gather evidence, identify the dog’s history, and build the strongest possible case.
What if the dog owner says I provoked their animal?
Provocation is one of the most common defenses raised by dog owners and their insurance companies. Our attorneys are experienced in countering these claims with witness accounts, physical evidence, and when necessary, expert testimony on animal behavior. The burden of establishing provocation rests with the dog owner, and we will challenge every attempt to shift responsibility onto you.
What if the attack happened at someone's home?
Many dog bite claims are covered by the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy. Our attorneys will identify all applicable insurance coverage and pursue the maximum available compensation on your behalf. The fact that the attack occurred on private property does not reduce the owner’s responsibility for their animal.
How much is a dog bite case worth in New York?
The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of scarring or permanent damage, your medical expenses, your lost income, and whether the owner had prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous tendencies. Cases involving significant disfigurement, nerve damage, or psychological trauma can result in substantial recoveries. We offer free consultations to give you a thorough and honest evaluation of your specific situation.
Can children file dog bite claims in New York?
Yes. Children who are injured in dog attacks have the same right to pursue compensation as adult victims. In New York, the statute of limitations for a minor’s personal injury claim does not begin to run until the child turns 18, giving families additional time to file. Our attorneys handle dog bite cases involving child victims with the care and sensitivity these situations require.
Bitten or Attacked by a Dog in Brooklyn?
Do not let a dog owner or their insurance company convince you that what happened was minor or your fault. Your injuries are real, your trauma is valid, and you have every right to pursue full compensation. The sooner our team gets involved, the stronger your case will be.
Call us today for a free consultation. We will review your case, answer every question you have, and walk you through your options with no pressure and no upfront cost.
