Dog Bite Lawyers in Queens
Bites and injuries caused by dogs and other animals across New York City. Free consultation, and no fee unless we win.
New York's rule is about what the owner knew
New York does not apply a general strict liability rule to every dog bite. Instead, an owner is strictly liable for the medical costs of a bite by a dog that has been declared dangerous, or where the owner knew of the animal's vicious propensities. For a broader recovery including pain and suffering, that knowledge is usually what has to be established.
"Vicious propensity" does not require a previous bite. Prior lunging, growling at people, being kept muzzled or chained, warning signs on a gate and complaints from neighbours can all contribute.
Report the bite to the Department of Health and seek medical attention — infection risk is real and the medical record also documents the injury. Photograph the wound over several days, and get the owner's details and any information about the animal's vaccination history.
How Davidov & Cohen can help
We take the administrative weight off you and put the case on a footing where the other side has a reason to deal with it properly.
We establish what the owner knew
Prior complaints, animal control records, warning signs, neighbours' accounts. This is usually the decisive issue.
We identify the available insurance
Homeowners and renters policies frequently cover dog bites, which is often where a recovery actually comes from.
We document the full injury
We work with your treating doctors, and specialists where a case calls for one, so the record reflects what the injury actually costs you.
We prepare it as a trial case
Most claims settle. They settle for more when the file is built as though it will be tried, and the other side knows it.
Animal cases we handle
- Dog bites and maulings
- Injuries to children
- Bites to delivery and postal workers
- Attacks in parks and public spaces
- Bites in apartment buildings
- Landlord liability for tenants' dogs
- Knock-down injuries without a bite
- Injuries from off-leash dogs
- Attacks by other animals
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Infection and nerve damage
- Post-traumatic stress after an attack
How long you have to file
In New York the general deadline for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the injury. Several exceptions are much shorter — a claim against the City, the MTA or another public body usually requires a notice of claim within 90 days, and wrongful death has its own two-year limit. Because the short deadlines are the easy ones to miss, it is worth a call early even if you have not decided whether to bring a claim.
Common questions
The dog had never bitten anyone before. Do I still have a claim?
Possibly. New York looks at vicious propensities generally rather than requiring a previous bite, so behaviour such as lunging, growling or being kept muzzled can be relevant. Medical costs may also be recoverable regardless.
Who actually pays?
Frequently the owner's homeowners or renters insurance. In some circumstances a landlord may also be responsible where they knew a dangerous animal was kept on the property.
What if I was bitten while working?
You may have both a workers' compensation claim and a separate claim against the dog's owner. They can run alongside each other.
What if the accident was partly my fault?
New York uses pure comparative negligence. Your compensation is reduced by your share of the fault rather than barred outright, so even someone substantially at fault may still recover. It is worth having someone look at it before you assume otherwise.
What does it cost to hire you?
Nothing up front. We work on a contingency fee, so our fee comes out of a recovery and there is no fee if there is no recovery. The consultation is free.
Tell Us What Happened
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. We'll get back to you the same day.
Millions Recovered for Injured New Yorkers
At Davidov & Cohen Law, we are proud to have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients who have suffered injuries due to the negligence of others. Our dedicated legal team has successfully handled a wide range of personal injury cases, including motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, construction site injuries, and more.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that an injury can take, which is why we fight tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation our clients deserve. Through aggressive negotiation and skilled litigation, we hold negligent parties accountable and help our clients rebuild their lives.
Every case we take on is pursued with determination and personalized attention. When you choose Davidov & Cohen Law, you are choosing experienced advocates committed to achieving justice for you and your family.
What Our Clients Say
After losing hope, I had the good fortune of getting in touch with David & Ben. They treated me as family with genuine personal care. Their knowledge & expertise exceeded my expectations.
This firm handled my case so quick and efficiently. They were able to get me the max settlement in only 3 months after my accident.
Excellent attorneys. Transparent and professional. Got my settlement for full policy within 4 months of my accident. Thank you David. Highly recommend!!!