If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog in Nassau or Suffolk County, our legal team can help you understand your rights and take prompt legal action. Our experienced Long Island dog bite lawyers handle personal injury cases involving dangerous dog bites, maulings, and other forms of animal attack trauma.

We offer a free legal consultation and free case evaluation to review what happened, explain the legal process, and discuss your legal options—with no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover for you.

Call (212) 268-3222 for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced dog bite lawyer nearby— available 24/7.

Quick Answers About Dog Bite Claims on Long Island

After a dog bite on Long Island, the legal path forward depends on the dog's history, the owner's knowledge of aggressive behavior, and the specific circumstances of the attack.

New York applies different liability rules depending on whether the dog has been previously declared dangerous. Here's what dog attack injury victims need to know.

Why Long Island Clients Choose Raphaelson & Levine for Dog Bite Cases

Local dog bite claims are often won or lost on the evidence. Our legal team investigates what happened, preserves proof, and builds a case around the key issue: whether the dog owner knew the dog posed a danger and failed to act with reasonable care.

Our Values: The Four R's

• Results: Over $1 billion recovered for injured clients across New York in all case types, including serious animal attack claims.v\
• Resources: We work with investigators and medical experts to document liability, damages, and long-term needs. And have the litigation resources to take dog bite cases to trial when insurance companies undervalue your claim.
• Reputation: Hundreds of five-star reviews and long-standing recognition in New York personal injury cases.
• Respect: We treat injury victims and families with compassion—especially children facing scarring and lasting emotional trauma.

"My daughter's dog bite case was not a clear cut case. Andrew Levine and his amazing team went above and beyond to fight for the results my daughter deserved." — Leah Q., Dog Bite Case (Google Review)

Reviews reflect individual experiences. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

We Handle All Dog Bite Scenarios on Long Island

Dog bite attacks on Long Island can happen anywhere; in neighborhoods, parks, apartment buildings, and workplaces. Each setting raises different legal and insurance issues.

Our attorneys analyze where the attack occurred, the dog’s history, and the owner’s conduct to build a strategy that maximizes liability proof and compensation in your specific situation.

Unleashed Dog Attacks in Public

When a dog bites a pedestrian, jogger, cyclist, or child in a public area like park, trails, and along residential streets, local leash laws in Nassau and Suffolk County may be a key part of the case.

Violations of leash laws can support a negligence claim against a negligent dog owner and help show a failure to use reasonable care. We document the specific municipal code violated, obtain animal control reports, and interview witnesses who observed the dog off-leash before the attack.

Bites on Residential Property

Many bites happen at homes, apartment buildings, or while visiting friends and family. If the attack occurred on private property, we examine whether the owner took reasonable care, whether warnings were given, and whether there was evidence of prior aggressive behavior.

We investigate whether the owner posted warning signs, whether the dog was confined to a specific area, and whether prior incidents were reported to animal control. If you were lawfully on the property when bitten, the owner's homeowner's insurance typically covers the claim.

Child Dog Bite Cases

Children are often the most seriously affected and may suffer facial scarring, infection, and long-term emotional trauma. We build these claims carefully to seek full compensation for current and future needs.

We represented a young child who was bitten in the face by an unleashed dog while walking with her parents, resulting in severe facial damage that required medical treatment and ongoing care.

Dog bite claims involving minors carry extended filing deadlines under CPLR § 208, but evidence preservation should not wait — witnesses relocate, animal control records are archived, and the dog owner may move or transfer the animal.

Delivery Driver & Service Worker Attacks

Postal workers, delivery drivers, and contractors are frequently bitten while doing their jobs. These claims may involve the dog owner’s insurance and, in some situations, workers’ compensation coordination. We evaluate all available insurance sources and pursue the path that maximizes recovery for the injured worker.

Attacks Involving Pets and Their Owners

When a dog attacks other animals, people often get bitten while intervening. In addition to the person’s injury claim, there may be recoverable veterinary costs for the pet. We pursue claims for the owner's medical treatment, the pet's veterinary expenses, and the emotional distress caused by witnessing the attack on their companion animal.

Your Legal Rights Under New York Dog Bite Law

Dog bite claims in New York State can involve a combination of statutory and common-law principles (Agriculture and Markets Law §123). The legal outcome depends on the evidence, the severity of harm, and whether the owner had notice of the dog’s prior behavior.

Key Liability Issues in Dog Bite Cases

To pursue broader damages in many New York dog bite claims, the evidence often focuses on whether:

• the dog had vicious propensities or vicious tendencies
• the dog owner knew (or should have known) about those tendencies
• the owner failed to act as a reasonable person would under similar circumstances
• the owner failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm

Evidence may include:

• prior complaints
• prior bites or threatening behavior
• witness statements
• photos/video
• animal control records
• veterinary or training history
• proof of restraint failures
• documentation of the dog’s actions before and during the incident

Dangerous Dog Issues

If a dog has already been identified as a dangerous dog in prior proceedings or records, that history may significantly affect how liability and damages are analyzed. We investigate official reports and local records to determine whether the dog’s prior conduct was documented.

How We Build your Long Island Dog Bite Case

Our Long Island dog bite lawyers build claims around liability, damages, and coverage so you can pursue fair compensation and, where supported by the evidence, maximum compensation.

1) Liability Investigation

We gather evidence to show what the owner knew and whether a negligent dog owner failed to use reasonable care. This may include: animal control reports, witness interviews, neighborhood canvassing, photos/videos, evidence of the dog’s prior vicious tendencies, and more.

2) Medical & Damages Documentation

We organize treatment proof and documentation that helps establish the full impact of your injuries and supports claims for fair settlement, fair compensation, and potentially full compensation. This may include: ER and urgent care records, follow up and specialist treatment, itemized medical bills, and more.

For child dog bite cases, we work with pediatric plastic surgeons and child psychologists to document both the physical and emotional impact, ensuring the claim reflects the long-term consequences of scarring and trauma.

3) Insurance Coverage Review

Most cases involve negotiations with the dog owner’s insurance company. We identify available policies (homeowner policies, renter's insurance, and umbrella policies), review coverage limits and exclusions, and work to position the case for maximum compensation.

4) Litigation Readiness

If the insurer refuses a fair settlement, our legal team prepares the case for litigation and trial. Strong preparation often improves outcomes even before a lawsuit is filed.

FAQs: Dog Bite Injury Claims on Long Island

Recent Dog Bite Case Results

Raphaelson & Levine has recovered compensation for dog bite victims across New York, targeting homeowner and renter's insurance policies to secure full coverage for medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, scarring, and psychological care for victims of serious injuries.

Confidential Settlement — Child Dog Bite Injury. A young child was walking with her parents in their neighborhood when she was bitten in the face by an unleashed dog, resulting in severe facial injuries. We ensured the dog owner was held liable and secured a confidential settlement for the child's medical treatment, scarring, and long-term care needs.

Meet Our Long Island Dog Bite Attorneys

Meet the Long Island dog bite lawyers trusted by seriously injured New Yorkers to take on insurance companies and maximize recovery. Our partners bring decades of focused trial and negotiation experience to every case.

Howard Raphaelson - Founding Partner, Attorney (View Profile)

Founded Raphaelson & Levine in 1992. Over thirty years of personal injury experience. Recognized as a Super Lawyer and among New York's Best Lawyers.

Andrew Levine - Partner, Attorney (View Profile)

Named one of New York's Top Personal Injury Litigators and a Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney by Super Lawyers.

Get Your Free Dog Bite Case Review

If you or your child was bitten by a dog on Long Island, call Raphaelson & Levine and speak with a Long Island lawyer about your legal rights and next steps.

If we decide to move forward, an experienced Long Island dog bite lawyer at our firm will investigate the dog's history, identify insurance coverage, and build a claim that accounts for medical treatment, scarring, and psychological impact.

You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Call (212) 268-3222 now for a free consultation with an experienced Long Island dog bite lawyer nearby.