Dog Bites
A dog bite can cause serious injuries and leave you unsure of what to do next. Learn the steps to take after a dog bite on Long Island, how to protect your health and legal rights, and how recent changes to New York law may affect your ability to recover compensation.
Being bitten by a dog can be a frightening experience. One moment you may be walking through your neighborhood, visiting a friend, or enjoying a local park. The next, you’re dealing with a painful injury, an emergency room visit, and uncertainty about what to do.
I’ve represented injured people on Long Island for many years, and I understand that the consequences of an accident can extend far beyond the initial injury. Dog bites can cause serious infections, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and emotional trauma. Children can be particularly vulnerable, especially when bites involve the face or neck.
Many people are also reluctant to pursue a claim because the dog belongs to a friend, neighbor, or family member. They don’t want to create problems for someone they know.
I understand that concern. But it’s important to know that dog bite injury claims are almost always handled and paid through homeowners insurance, rather than directly out of the dog owner’s pocket.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Nassau County or Suffolk County, there are several steps you should take to protect your health and your legal rights.
| 1 | Get to a safe place
Get away from the dog and avoid another attack. If it remains aggressive or dangerous to others, call 911. |
| 2 | Get the dog owner’s information
Obtain the owner’s name, address, and phone, plus the dog’s breed, rabies vaccination status, and any homeowners or renters insurance details. |
| 3 | Seek medical attention immediately
Even a minor-looking bite can drive bacteria deep into tissue. Treatment may include wound cleaning, antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or a rabies evaluation. |
| 4 | Report the dog bite
Report it to the appropriate Nassau or Suffolk animal control agency or health department to create an official record and check for prior complaints. |
| 5 | Get the names of witnesses
Collect contact information for anyone who saw the attack or knows of the dog’s earlier behavior — don’t assume you’ll find them later. |
| 6 | Take photographs and preserve evidence
Photograph your injuries as they heal and the scene, including broken fencing or open gates. Preserve torn clothing and find nearby security or doorbell cameras quickly. |
Your first priority should be getting away from the dog and avoiding another attack.
Move somewhere safe, preferably indoors or behind a secure barrier. Don’t attempt to restrain the dog yourself or confront its owner if doing so could put you in danger.
If the dog remains aggressive or presents an immediate danger to others, call 911. Once you’re safe, assess your injuries and seek help.
If possible, obtain the dog owner’s full name, address, and telephone number. Also try to obtain the dog’s name, breed and description, where it lives, rabies vaccination information, and homeowners or renters insurance details if available.
If the owner refuses to cooperate, don’t get into an argument. Write down whatever information you have, including the location of the attack. Identifying the owner can be important to establishing responsibility and locating coverage.
Even a dog bite that appears relatively minor can cause serious medical problems. Puncture wounds can introduce bacteria deep into the skin and surrounding tissue. Infections can develop even when the wound initially looks small.
Depending on the circumstances, treatment may include wound cleaning, antibiotics, a tetanus booster, or an evaluation for rabies exposure. More serious injuries may require stitches, surgery, or treatment by a plastic surgeon.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides information about animal bites and rabies prevention. Don’t assume an injury is minor simply because the bleeding has stopped. Prompt medical attention protects your health and creates a record of your injuries.
Report the bite to the appropriate local animal control agency or health department. On Long Island, the appropriate agency may depend on whether the incident occurred in Nassau County or Suffolk County and the particular municipality.
Reporting can help establish the dog’s vaccination status, determine whether rabies-related precautions are necessary, and create an official record. It may also help identify previous complaints. Don’t assume someone else has reported the attack.
Bitten by a dog on Long Island?
Dog bite claims are almost always handled and paid through homeowners insurance, not out of the owner’s pocket. We represent injured people throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties and will explain your options honestly.
If someone witnessed the attack, obtain their name and contact information. Don’t assume you’ll be able to find them later.
Witnesses may establish how the attack occurred, whether the dog was restrained, whether the owner attempted to control it, and whether the dog behaved aggressively before. Someone who saw earlier incidents involving the same dog may also have valuable information.
Photograph your injuries as soon as possible and continue as the wounds heal. Bruising, swelling, infections, and scarring may become more apparent over time.
Photograph the location, including broken fencing, open gates, damaged leashes, or other relevant conditions. Preserve torn or bloodstained clothing, medical bills, discharge instructions, and communications with the owner.
Identify any nearby security or doorbell cameras quickly. Recordings may be deleted or overwritten.
The dog owner’s insurance company may call you. The adjuster may sound friendly and concerned, but the company is investigating a claim it may have to pay.
I generally advise injured people not to give recorded statements to an opposing insurer without speaking with an attorney. Questions about approaching or petting the dog, or alleged provocation, may become important later. Be truthful, but you do not have to agree to an immediate recorded interview.
An insurer may offer to pay medical expenses shortly after the attack. Before accepting, understand exactly what you are agreeing to.
A settlement release may permanently prevent additional compensation, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than expected. Scarring can take months to evaluate; nerve damage, infections, and psychological injuries may have lasting consequences.
Never sign a release or settlement agreement without understanding whether you are giving up your right to pursue a bodily injury claim. Medical payments coverage and bodily injury liability coverage are different.
One of the most significant developments in New York dog bite law occurred in April 2025, when the state’s highest court decided Flanders v. Goodfellow. This decision made it easier for some dog bite victims to pursue compensation.
The old rule: For many years, New York generally required injured people pursuing claims against dog owners to establish that the dog had vicious propensities and that the owner knew or should have known about them. Evidence of earlier bites, growling, snapping, or other threatening behavior could be important.
That created a problem when a dog seriously injured someone during its first known attack, even if the owner failed to use reasonable care.
Injured people generally had to establish that the dog had vicious propensities and that the owner knew or should have known — evidence of earlier bites, growling, or snapping. A dog’s first known attack could leave a victim without recourse.
The Court of Appeals held that owners may face ordinary negligence claims even without proof of known vicious propensities. Victims may now pursue strict liability, negligence, or both where the evidence supports it.
The new rule: In Flanders v. Goodfellow, 44 NY3d 57 (2025), the Court of Appeals held that dog owners may face ordinary negligence claims even without proof that they knew or should have known of vicious propensities.
Victims may now pursue strict liability where known dangerous tendencies caused the injury, negligence where the owner failed to exercise reasonable care and caused the injury, or both where supported by the evidence.
For example, an owner who opens a door knowing an aggressive dog is immediately behind it may face a negligence claim if the dog escapes and bites a visitor, even without a previous bite.
The decision does not mean every bite automatically creates liability. The facts still matter. But it removes a significant obstacle that previously prevented some legitimate claims. In my opinion, this is an important and welcome change in New York law.
One of the most common concerns I hear is that injured people don’t want to sue a neighbor, friend, or relative. Many dog bite claims are handled through homeowners insurance. Renters insurance may also provide coverage.
Not every policy covers every bite. Some policies have animal-related exclusions or other restrictions. When coverage applies, the insurer typically investigates, evaluates liability and damages, and negotiates settlement. It may ultimately pay the claim within policy limits.
| MedPay Coverage | Bodily Injury Liability |
|---|---|
| May cover certain medical expenses without requiring proof of negligence. | Requires establishing the owner’s liability for the injury. |
| Limited to medical costs, within the policy’s MedPay limits. | Can include pain and suffering, lost earnings, scarring, and future medical expenses. |
Medical payments coverage is different from bodily injury coverage. Some homeowners policies include MedPay, which may cover certain medical expenses without requiring proof of negligence. Its limits and terms depend on the policy.
MedPay is generally separate from liability coverage. A bodily injury claim can include pain and suffering, lost earnings, scarring, and future medical expenses. A person may sometimes receive MedPay benefits while continuing a bodily injury claim, but should carefully review anything the insurer asks them to sign.
The value depends on injury severity, the circumstances, available insurance, and long-term effects. Depending on the evidence, damages may include medical expenses, future treatment, lost earnings, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, and emotional injuries.
Some bites leave visible scars, especially on the face, hands, or arms. Others cause less visible but equally serious problems. These consequences deserve consideration when evaluating a claim.
ER visits, wound care, antibiotics, surgery, or treatment by a plastic surgeon.
Ongoing care, revision surgery, or scar treatment still to come.
Income lost while you recover from the attack.
A lasting effect on your ability to work and earn.
The physical pain and distress the injury causes.
Visible scars, especially on the face, hands, or arms.
Permanent changes to appearance from a serious bite.
Psychological trauma, to which children are especially vulnerable.
Insurance companies don’t automatically agree to fair compensation. They may dispute the circumstances, allege provocation, challenge negligence, or question the extent of injuries.
An attorney can investigate, identify witnesses, obtain animal control records, examine insurance coverage, and determine whether strict liability, negligence, or both should be pursued.
At Palermo Law, we can handle insurer communications and evaluate the full extent of damages before settlement. Learn more about our Long Island dog bite lawyer services, our Suffolk County dog bite lawyer page, and our Nassau County personal injury attorney services.
The process begins with an investigation. We gather evidence, review medical records, identify responsible parties, and determine available coverage. Once we have sufficient information, we present a claim to the insurance company.
Many cases are negotiated without a lawsuit. Our goal is a fair settlement without unnecessary litigation. I don’t recommend settling simply because an insurer makes an offer.
If the insurer refuses fair compensation and the evidence supports a viable case, we can file suit. Litigation may involve discovery, depositions, expert opinions, and trial preparation. Many lawsuits settle, but a jury may ultimately determine liability and damages.
In most cases, New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury arising from a dog bite is three years from the injury. See New York CPLR 214.
Exceptions may apply. Claims against municipalities or other public entities may require much earlier notice and filing deadlines, and different rules may apply to children. Don’t wait until the deadline approaches: evidence disappears, witnesses become difficult to find, and memories fade.
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01
Private dog owner
3 Years New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury from a dog bite is generally three years from the injury (CPLR 214).
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Municipal or public entity
Much Sooner Claims against municipalities or public entities may require notice far earlier, and different rules may apply to children. Don’t wait until a deadline nears.
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If you’ve been bitten by a dog on Long Island, your first concern should be health and safety. Get medical attention, report the attack, preserve evidence, and avoid signing insurance documents before understanding your rights.
New York’s Flanders v. Goodfellow decision has provided additional protection. A prior bite is no longer necessary for every potential claim.
I understand that pursuing a claim can feel uncomfortable when you know the dog owner. But homeowners insurance often exists for precisely these unexpected injuries.
If you or a family member has been injured by a dog in Nassau or Suffolk County, I would be happy to discuss what happened, explain your options, and help you determine whether you have a case. Contact Palermo Law for a free consultation.
First, get somewhere safe and away from the dog. Seek medical attention promptly, even if the wound seems minor. Obtain the owner’s information, photograph your injuries, identify witnesses, and report the attack to the appropriate local authorities. Avoid discussing a settlement with the insurance company before understanding your legal rights.
Yes, depending on the circumstances. Under the 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision, a dog bite victim may pursue a negligence claim without proving the dog previously bit someone or had known vicious propensities. You must still establish that the owner failed to exercise reasonable care and caused your injuries.
Many homeowners insurance policies provide liability coverage for dog bite injuries, but coverage depends on the policy and circumstances. Some policies exclude certain animals or incidents. When coverage applies, the insurer may pay compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other recoverable damages, subject to applicable limits.
Possibly. Some homeowners policies include medical payments coverage that can pay certain medical bills without requiring proof of negligence. This coverage is generally separate from bodily injury liability coverage. Before accepting payment, make sure you aren’t signing a release that prevents you from pursuing additional compensation for your injuries.
There is no standard settlement amount for a dog bite injury. The value depends on the severity of the injuries, medical treatment, scarring, lost income, pain and suffering, and available insurance coverage. Permanent facial scars, nerve injuries, or other lasting complications may significantly affect the value of a claim.
Most New York dog bite personal injury lawsuits must be filed within three years of the attack. However, shorter deadlines may apply when a municipality or public entity is involved, and special rules may apply to children. Speaking with an attorney promptly can help protect your rights and preserve important evidence.
You may still have a valid injury claim. Many dog bite claims are handled through homeowners or renters insurance, rather than being paid directly by the owner. I understand that these situations can be uncomfortable. An attorney can help explain the insurance process and evaluate your options without unnecessary confrontation.
You aren’t required to hire an attorney, but legal representation can be valuable when injuries are significant or liability is disputed. A Long Island dog bite lawyer can investigate the attack, identify insurance coverage, document your damages, negotiate with the insurer, and pursue litigation when a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Yes. Permanent scarring and disfigurement may be significant components of a New York dog bite injury claim. The location, size, visibility, and permanence of the scars can affect compensation. Medical photographs, treatment records, and evaluations by appropriate specialists may help establish the full impact of the injury.
If an insurance company denies responsibility or refuses to offer fair compensation, filing a lawsuit may be appropriate when the evidence supports the claim. The case may involve discovery, depositions, and expert testimony. Many lawsuits settle before trial, but a jury may ultimately decide liability and damages.
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and reflects the opinions of the author. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and results depend on the specific facts and applicable law. You should not act or rely on any information in this blog without first seeking advice from a qualified attorney regarding your individual situation.
