Dog Bite Lawyer in New York City

Home / Dog Bites

Bitten by a Dog in New York City? We Can Help

A dog attack can be a traumatic and unexpected experience. It often happens in a matter of seconds, but the physical and emotional effects can last a lifetime. Victims are left dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, fear, and uncertainty about what to do next.

At Pianko Law, we understand the seriousness of dog bite cases. Our team is dedicated to helping victims in New York City hold negligent dog owners accountable. Whether you or your child was attacked in a park, on a sidewalk, or even at someone’s home, you may have the right to financial compensation.

We’re here to listen, investigate, and fight for the full justice you deserve.

Dog Bite Injuries Can Be Serious–Even Life-Changing

Dog bites are more than surface wounds. They can result in serious and sometimes permanent damage. Common injuries and complications include:

Deep puncture wounds and torn muscles
Need for reconstructive or cosmetic surgery
Nerve damage that may limit movement or sensation
Broken bones, especially in the hands, arms, or face
Infections from bacteria such as Pasteurella, Staphylococcus, or even rabies
Permanent scarring or disfigurement, especially on visible areas like the face

Children are especially vulnerable to dog attacks due to their smaller size, unpredictable behavior, and limited ability to defend themselves. As a result, they often suffer:

More severe physical injuries
Facial wounds or damage to soft tissue
Emotional trauma, including long-term anxiety, fear of animals, and PTSD

Beyond the physical toll, the financial impact can also be significant. Victims may face:

Emergency room visits and hospitalization
Ongoing medical treatment and physical therapy
Lost incomes during recovery, or if the injury affects work
Long-term care needs, especially in serious or disfiguring cases

We understand the far-reaching impact of these injuries. Our team works to ensure every aspect of your pain–physical, emotional, and financial–is accounted for in your legal claim.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

What you do in the hours and days after a dog bite can significantly affect your ability to file a successful claim. Follow these steps to protect your health and legal rights:

Get medical attention immediately, even if the bite seems minor. Some injuries worsen over time.
Identify the dog and the owner. Get their name, address, and vaccination records if possible.
Take photos of your injuries, the location, and the dog (if it’s safe to do so).
Gather witness information, especially if the attack happened in a public place.
Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters until you’ve spoken to an attorney.

We can help preserve evidence, obtain medical records, and begin building your case right away. Time is critical in dog bite claims, especially if the attack involved a dangerous or unregistered animal.

Who is Liable for a Dog Bite?

When a dog bites someone, determining who is legally responsible depends on where and how the attack occurred. In New York City, liability laws can be complex, but they generally focus on what the dog’s owner knew and whether they took reasonable steps to prevent the attack.

New York’s Modified One-Bite Rule

New York follows a hybrid version of the “one-bite rule”, which means a dog owner can be held strictly liable for the victim’s medical costs if the dog had a known history of vicious behavior.

To pursue additional compensation for pain and suffering or lost wages, the victim must show that the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous.

Signs of a dog’s “dangerous propensity” might include:

Previous biting or snapping incidents
Aggressive growling or lunging
Being trained to fight or guard
Prior complaints to animal control or neighbors

If the dog had never bitten before and showed no warning signs, it may be harder (but not impossible) to prove the owner’s liability.

Pianko Law Consultation

Strict Liability for Medical Bills

Even if the dog had no prior history of aggression, New York law holds owners strictly liable for all medical expenses resulting from a bite. That means the victim doesn’t need to prove negligence or prior knowledge, only that the bite occurred and caused injury.

Other Potentially Liable Parties

In some situations, more than just the dog owner could be responsible. Liability may extend to:

Landlords who allow a dangerous dog to stay on the property.
Dog walkers or caretakers, if the bite happened under their supervision.
Property managers or businesses that failed to protect visitors from known risks.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

After a dog bite, you may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. At Pianko Law, we fight to ensure clients receive full and fair compensation, including:

Medical expenses: ER visits, surgery, infection treatment, medication, and physical therapy.
Reconstructive or cosmetic surgery: Especially in cases involving facial disfigurement or scarring.
Lost wages: If you missed work during recovery or can no longer perform your job.
Reduced earning potential: If the injury affects your long-term career prospects.
Pain and suffering: For physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Psychological treatment: Counseling or therapy for PTSD, anxiety, or trauma.
Punitive damages: In cases of gross negligence or intentional harm.

Our legal team works with medical experts, economists, and other professionals to calculate the full impact of your injury. We don’t just look at today’s costs–we plan for what you’ll need to recover and move forward.

Why Choose Pianko Law for Your Dog Bite Cases?

Choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference. At Pianko Law, we bring a combination of legal experience, aggressive advocacy, and personal attention to every dog bite case we handle.

Our clients aren’t just case numbers–they’re individuals and families who deserve respect, honesty, and results. Here’s what makes us different:

Proven results: We’ve secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for injured clients across New York.
Client-first approach: We offer free consultations and take all injury cases on a contingency fee basis–you don’t pay us unless we win.
Responsive and accessible: Our firm is known for personal communication and treating every client with care.

Local knowledge: With offices in New York, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, we know how to deal with courts and insurance companies in your area.

Whether the dog that bit you belonged to a neighbor, a stranger, or someone you trusted, you deserve justice. We’ll guide you through every step of the legal process and handle the tough negotiations so you can focus on healing.

What Our Clients Say

We pride ourselves on delivering more than just results; we provide support, communication, and trust every step of the way. Here’s what some of them have shared about their experience working with us:

Unmatched dedication and results!

“Maurice Pianko is, without a doubt, the best Brooklyn personal injury lawyer hands down. He took on our case with unmatched dedication, skill, and professionalism, securing an amazing settlement that went far beyond what we expected. Maurice always made sure we were informed and comfortable every step of the way, showing genuine care and concern for our needs. If you need a personal injury lawyer who will fight for you like no one else, Maurice is the one to call. I cannot recommend him highly enough!”

Handled with true care!

“I have to express my joy over the great way they handled my case. I was over joyed at the way that my slip and fall case was made a priority. Their professionalism was over the top. I highly recommend them .Also I would like to thank them again because it was a real ordeal for me and the help they gave me was unbelievably appreciated.”

Always there when needed!

“Maurice Pianko has a reputation for being a top personal injury lawyer. When I need legal advice, he is always willing to walk me through the challenge – every step of the way. I highly recommend him!”

Where We Represent Clients

At Pianko Law, we proudly serve individuals and families throughout New York who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence. With offices and deep community ties across the region, our legal team is ready to stand by your side. We represent clients in:

Wherever you are in the city, Pianko Law is just a call away, offering trusted legal guidance and proven results when you need them most.

Let Pianko Law Fight for the Justice You Deserve

At our law firm, we don’t just care about helping people rebuild their lives. If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. You won’t pay anything unless we win your case.