Dog Bite Lawyer in Long Island

A dog bite can leave you with serious injuries, unexpected medical expenses, and a lot of questions about what to do next. You may need stitches, treatment for an infection, or additional care if the wound doesn’t heal properly.

At Edelman, Krasin & Jaye, our Long Island dog bite lawyers help injured people understand their legal options, and we will determine whether the dog’s owner can be held responsible. We have recovered over half a billion dollars on behalf of injured New Yorkers.

You don’t have to know anything about dog bite laws before speaking with us. Our Long Island personal injury lawyers help people across Nassau and Suffolk Counties understand their options after an animal attack. We’ll listen to what happened, look into the circumstances, and give you straightforward advice about what comes next.

Does a Dog Have to Have a Violent History Before Its Owner is Liable?

No. A previous attack can be important evidence, but it isn’t the only way to hold a dog owner responsible in New York. 

For years, dog bite cases often turned on whether an owner knew their dog had vicious propensities. That history can still matter in a strict liability claim. However, a 2025 decision by New York’s highest court, Flanders v. Goodfellow, confirmed that dog owners may also be held responsible for negligence if they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent an injury.

This means a dog doesn’t need a history of biting people for someone to have a potential claim. Perhaps the owner knew the dog frequently lunged at passersby, acted aggressively toward visitors, or escaped from the yard. Those warning signs, along with the owner’s response to them, can help determine whether the owner acted negligently.

For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Long Island, call (800) 469-7429

What to Do After a Dog Attack

If a dog bites you, have the injury checked by a doctor as soon as possible. What looks like a minor puncture wound can be deeper than it appears, and bacteria from the dog’s mouth can lead to an infection. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, and let your doctor assess the wound.

If the injury is serious, you may need emergency care or follow-up treatment at a hospital such as Stony Brook University Hospital. Keep copies of your medical records and take photos as the wound heals. Those details can become important later, especially if scarring or nerve damage develops.

You should also report the attack to the proper local authorities. In Nassau County, contact the Nassau County Department of Health. For bites in Suffolk County, reach out to the local health department or animal control office. If you can, get the dog owner’s name and contact information, along with the dog’s vaccination history.

Long Island Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (800) 469-7429

What If the Owner Says Their Dog Has Never Been Aggressive?

Even if the owner says their dog has never been aggressive before, you may still have a valid dog bite claim. What matters is how the incident happened, whether there were warning signs, and whether the owner took reasonable steps to prevent someone from getting hurt.

At Edelman, Krasin & Jaye, we’ll look for evidence that helps establish what happened and whether the owner knew the dog could be dangerous. Relevant information may include:

• Witness statements: Accounts from people who saw the attack or had noticed aggressive behavior in the past.
• Animal control records: Reports of earlier bites, complaints from neighbors, or other incidents involving the dog.
• Injury photos: Pictures taken after the attack and throughout the healing process to document the extent of your injuries.
• Messages and recordings: Surveillance footage, text messages, or social media posts that may shed light on the dog’s behavior or the circumstances of the attack.

New York’s Agriculture and Markets Law § 123 also provides a process for dangerous dog complaints. That proceeding is separate from a personal injury lawsuit, but related records may help clarify the circumstances of an attack.

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A Dog Bite Can Affect More Than Your Medical Bills

The damage from a dog bite isn’t always limited to the wound itself. If the bite injures nerves or tendons in your hand, for example, you could have trouble gripping things or moving your fingers. A bite to the face may leave permanent scarring or require reconstructive surgery. For some people, recovery involves months of treatment and lasting changes to their daily lives.

There’s also the emotional side of being attacked. A child who once loved dogs may become terrified of them. Someone bitten while walking through their neighborhood might feel uneasy going outside alone. Those changes can be hard to explain to people who didn’t experience the attack.

A personal injury claim may allow you to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, future treatment, pain and suffering, and emotional distress, depending on the circumstances and the legal claims involved. Edelman, Krasin & Jaye will look beyond the first hospital bill to understand how the injury has affected your life.

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Is There a Deadline for Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit?

Generally, New York gives injured people three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline comes from CPLR § 214, although exceptions can apply, including in certain cases involving children.

Even with a three-year filing deadline, it’s better not to wait too long to look into your options. Witnesses may forget important details, surveillance footage could be erased, and records can become harder to obtain. Contacting a Long Island dog bite attorney early gives you a better chance of gathering the evidence needed to support your claim.

You may also wonder whether the owner’s insurance will pay for your injuries. Some homeowners and renters insurance policies provide coverage for dog bites, but exclusions and coverage limits vary. Our attorneys at Edelman, Krasin & Jaye can review the available insurance information and help you understand what it means for your claim.

Get Answers From a Long Island Dog Bite Lawyer

Maybe you were bitten while visiting a friend in Huntington, walking near Eisenhower Park, or making a delivery in a local neighborhood. Whatever the circumstances, you shouldn’t have to brush off an injury because the dog’s owner says it was an accident.

At Edelman, Krasin & Jaye, we’re available whenever questions come up, not just when it’s convenient. We offer free consultations by Zoom or at our Westbury office, and we can arrange to travel to you when needed. Our experience working with insurance companies also helps us anticipate the issues that may arise when a claim is challenged.

If you or someone in your family has been hurt, contact Edelman, Krasin & Jaye for a free case evaluation with a Long Island dog bite attorney. Tell us what happened, and we’ll help you understand your next steps.

Call or text (800) 469-7429 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form