Long Island Dog Bite Attorney

Representing Victims Across Nassau & Suffolk County After Serious Dog Attacks

A dog attack can change your life in seconds. Deep wounds, permanent scarring, psychological trauma, and mounting medical bills while you can’t work. What makes it worse is how quickly responsibility gets deflected. Dog owners claim their pet “has never done this before,” and insurance companies argue you somehow provoked the attack.

At Palermo Law, our long island personal injury lawyers represent dog bite victims across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. We know what you’re facing physically, emotionally, and financially, and we know how to hold negligent dog owners accountable under New York’s dog bite laws.

Why Long Island Sees More Dog Bite Cases

Nassau and Suffolk Counties are ideal places to own dogs. With some of the highest homeownership rates in New York State—82% in Nassau County and 78% in Suffolk County—most Long Island families have homes with yards where dogs can run and play. The suburban landscape, numerous parks, and family-oriented communities create a dog-friendly environment that has led to the creation of over 10 dedicated dog parks and dozens of on-leash trails across both counties.

But this same environment creates more opportunities for dog-human interactions, and unfortunately, more opportunities for attacks. Delivery drivers, postal workers, joggers, children walking home from school, and visitors to friends’ homes all encounter dogs daily. When owners fail to properly restrain, train, or supervise their dogs, serious injuries result.

The good news for victims: Long Island’s high homeownership rates mean most dog owners carry homeowners’ insurance. These policies typically include liability coverage for dog bites, ensuring that injured victims can recover compensation without forcing owners to pay out of pocket. You’re not suing your neighbor—you’re pursuing a claim against their insurance company.

Understanding the Scope of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites are a significant public health issue, both nationally and here on Long Island:

National Statistics:

• 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States (CDC)
• 885,000 victims seek medical attention each year
• Nearly 370,000 people visit emergency departments for dog bite injuries
• $1.56 billion paid out by insurance companies in dog bite claims (2024)
• 1 in 5 dog bites becomes infected, requiring antibiotics or hospitalization
• Children represent 70% of fatal dog attack victims

The Financial Impact:

• Average insurance claim: $64,555 per case (2024)
• Claims have increased 174.7% from 2015 to 2024
• Medical costs, reconstructive surgery, and lost wages drive settlements higher
• Long Island’s high cost of living and medical expenses mean local cases often exceed national averages

These aren’t just statistics, they represent real people, many right here on Long Island, whose lives have been changed by preventable dog attacks. If you’re one of them, you’re not alone, and you have legal rights.

A Message to Dog Owners and Dog Lovers

We love dogs. The attorneys at Palermo Law are dog owners ourselves, and we understand the bond between people and their pets. Long Island’s dog-loving community has worked hard to create spaces where dogs and people can coexist safely—from the beaches at Mud Creek County Park to the dog runs in Eisenhower Park.

When a dog bite happens, it’s never the dog’s fault—it’s the result of owner negligence, inadequate training, failure to restrain, or preventable circumstances. Dogs don’t have bad intentions; they react to situations created by their owners. A dog that escapes through a broken gate, attacks while off-leash in violation of local laws, or bites a visitor because the owner failed to secure them isn’t acting maliciously, t’s responding to its environment.

Our goal isn’t to demonize dogs or responsible dog owners. Responsible ownership means taking reasonable precautions: secure fencing, proper leashes, training and socialization, and supervision around strangers. When owners fail in these responsibilities and someone gets hurt, they must be held accountable.

We represent injured victims, not because we dislike dogs, but because we believe in accountability and fairness. Every dog deserves a responsible owner. Every person deserves to walk through their neighborhood, deliver a package, or visit a friend without fear of being attacked.

How New York Dog Bite Law Works

New York now allows dog bite victims to recover full compensation through two legal pathways:

1. Strict Liability (Vicious Propensities): If the dog previously bit someone, lunged at people, or showed aggressive behavior that put the owner on notice, the owner is automatically liable for all your damages.
2. Negligence (Owner’s Failure to Use Reasonable Care): Even if the dog had no prior history, you can recover full compensation by showing the owner failed to take reasonable precautions, such as violating leash laws, leaving gates open, failing to restrain the dog, or ignoring warning signs.

This means you no longer need to prove the dog bit someone before. If the owner was negligent, you have a valid claim.

The Real Impact of Dog Bite Injuries

Beyond the statistics, dog bite injuries change lives in profound and lasting ways.

Physical Injuries

• Deep Puncture Wounds: Dog bites create jagged wounds that often penetrate muscle, tendons, and bone, requiring surgical cleaning and close monitoring for infection.
• Nerve Damage: Severe bites can sever nerves, causing permanent numbness or loss of motor function.
• Infections: Dog mouths carry dangerous bacteria that can lead to cellulitis, sepsis, or MRSA requiring hospitalization.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Facial bites often result in permanent scarring requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries.

Psychological Trauma

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Many victims develop PTSD with nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety around dogs.
• Fear and Phobias: A lifelong fear of dogs can limit where you feel safe walking or visiting.
• Anxiety and Depression: The trauma combined with permanent scarring often leads to ongoing mental health issues.

Financial Consequences

Emergency treatment, surgery, reconstructive procedures, lost income during recovery, reduced earning capacity, and years of mental health treatment create lasting financial hardship. Insurance companies try to settle quickly before you understand the full impact. That’s why having an experienced attorney matters.

How We Build Strong Cases

Immediate Investigation

We photograph the scene, document broken gates or missing leashes, gather witness statements from neighbors and delivery drivers, obtain animal control records showing prior complaints, and work with your medical providers to fully document injuries.

Establishing Liability

Vicious Propensities: We investigate whether the dog previously bit someone, lunged at people, or exhibited threatening behavior.

Negligence: We examine whether the owner violated leash laws, failed to maintain secure fencing, ignored the dog’s territorial behavior, or failed to properly train and socialize the animal.

Proving Full Damages

We document all medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and permanent scarring or disfigurement. We don’t settle until we fully understand the long-term impact of your injuries.

Expert Support When Needed

Complex cases may require medical experts, economic analysts, or mental health professionals who can testify about the severity of your injuries and need for future treatment.

Common Defenses We Overcome

“The Dog Has Never Bitten Before”

Not every insurance carrier knows this but under current New York law, this doesn’t matter. Even without prior history, the owner can be liable if they failed to exercise reasonable care, such as violating leash laws or leaving gates unsecured.

“You Provoked the Attack”

We counter with witness testimony and/or video evidence showing you did nothing to provoke the dog. Most victims were simply walking on a sidewalk, delivering mail, or visiting when an unleashed dog attacked without warning.

“The Injuries Aren’t Serious”

We counter with comprehensive medical documentation, photographs, expert testimony, and evidence of ongoing treatment for both physical and psychological trauma.

What Makes Long Island Dog Bite Cases Different

High Homeownership = Higher Insurance Coverage

Long Island’s demographics work in favor of dog bite victims. Nassau County’s 82% homeownership rate and Suffolk County’s 78% rate are significantly higher than the national average of 65%. This means most dog owners carry homeowners or renters insurance that includes liability coverage for dog bites.

Standard homeowners policies typically provide $100,000 to $1,000,000 in liability coverage. Many Long Island homeowners, given the high property values (median $658,700 in Nassau County), carry umbrella policies providing $1 million or more in additional coverage.

This is important for victims to understand: when you pursue a dog bite claim, you’re not taking money from your neighbor. You’re pursuing compensation from their insurance company, which exists specifically to pay these claims. The insurance company, not the dog owner, pays settlements and verdicts.

This protection benefits both victims and responsible dog owners. Victims can recover full compensation for serious injuries. Dog owners, if they’ve maintained proper insurance, won’t face personal financial loss because of their pet’s actions.

Who Can Be Held Liable

Dog Owners: The primary source of liability, including anyone who harbors or keeps the dog, even temporarily.

Landlords: Can be liable if they knew about a dangerous dog on their property and failed to take action, particularly common in apartment buildings.

Property Managers: May be liable for attacks on properties they manage if they had notice and failed to enforce lease terms.

Identifying all potentially liable parties increases available insurance coverage.

Compensation You May Recover

Medical Expenses

Emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, medications, rabies treatment, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, and all medical care.

Other Economic Damages: Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, business losses.

Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent scarring and disfigurement, PTSD and psychological trauma.

Case Value Factors

Severity and permanence of injuries, extent of medical treatment required, degree of scarring or disfigurement, psychological trauma, impact on your ability to work and enjoy life, strength of evidence, and available insurance coverage (typically $100,000 to $1,000,000+).

Our Recent Results

$300,000 Settlement – Child bitten by neighbor’s dog in backyard. Permanent facial scar despite surgical intervention.

$150,000 Settlement – The owner failed to secure his dog leading to an attack that left permanent scars on the plaintiff’s face and arm

Palermo Law has recovered more than $75 million for injured clients across Nassau and Suffolk Counties since 1994. While every case is unique and past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, our track record includes substantial recoveries for people hurt in accidents.

We’ve successfully handled cases resulting in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, permanent disability, and wrongful death. Our process remains consistent across all cases: thorough preparation, clear documentation of injuries and losses, strategic use of expert testimony when needed, and readiness to take a case to trial when insurance companies refuse to offer fair value.

Insurance companies know which law firms are willing to go to trial and which will fold under pressure. We’ve built a reputation over 25+ years as attorneys who prepare every case as if it’s going to a jury—and insurance adjusters respond accordingly during settlement negotiations.

What to Do After a Dog Attack

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even minor bites can cause serious infections. Go to an emergency room, get wounds thoroughly cleaned, complete prescribed antibiotics, and keep all medical records.

2. Report the Attack

File a report with Nassau County Animal Control or Suffolk County SPCA. This creates an official record and may trigger investigation into the dog’s history.

3. Document Everything

Photograph your injuries, torn clothing, the attack location, broken gates or missing leashes. Write down exactly what happened, the owner’s information, and any witness contact details.

4. Do Not Speak to Insurance Companies

The dog owner’s insurance adjuster will seem friendly but is trained to obtain statements that minimize your injuries or shift blame. Politely decline and direct them to your attorney.

5. Contact an Attorney Before Accepting Settlement

Insurance companies make quick lowball offers before you understand injury severity. Once you accept, you cannot reopen your case. Never sign anything without consulting an attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Choose Palermo Law

75+ Years of Combined Experience with New York Dog Bite Law

We understand both strict liability and negligence pathways and know how to pursue the strongest approach for your case.

Personal Attention

Managing partner Steven Palermo personally oversees every dog bite case. You work directly with experienced attorneys who understand dog attack trauma.

Trial-Ready Preparation

We prepare every case for trial, which gives us leverage in settlement negotiations. When offers don’t reflect true case value, we’re ready for jury trial.

No Fees Unless We Win

Contingency fee basis—you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation. All case costs can be advanced by our firm.

Nine Long Island Locations

Accessible across Nassau and Suffolk Counties with home and hospital consultations available.

Daily Court Presence

We appear in Nassau and Suffolk courts daily with established relationships that benefit your case.

Proven Results

Over $75 million recovered for clients since 1994, including multiple six-figure dog bite settlements across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

About Steven Palermo

Steven Palermo is a senior partner at Palermo Law, P.L.L.C., with over 25 years of experience representing seriously injured individuals across Long Island. He has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including a $5.5 million trial verdict in a landmark case against the State of New York for the mistaken release of a convicted sexual predator—the first time in New York history the State was held liable for such an error. Steven is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and Suffolk County Bar Association. He holds an Avvo rating of Excellent and is admitted to practice in all New York State courts and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

About Palermo Law

• Over 75 years of combined experience representing injured Long Islanders. Managing partner Steven Palermo personally oversees every case with over 25 years of trial experience.
• We focus on personal injury law; we never represent insurance companies. We know how to defeat insurer tactics.
• Our trial-ready approach gives us negotiation leverage and ensures jury preparation when necessary. While most cases settle, insurance companies only make fair offers when they know we’re serious about trial.
• Over $75 million recovered for clients since 1994, including multiple six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts.
• We treat clients with respect, compassion, and honesty. We listen, explain options clearly, and maintain close communication throughout your case.
• Free consultation for dog bite victims across Long Island.

Contact Us Today

Dog attacks create immediate hardships—medical bills, lost income, psychological trauma. Insurance companies make lowball offers designed to close cases cheaply.

At Palermo Law, we’ve spent 25+ years representing dog bite victims across Long Island. We understand what you’re facing and know how to fight insurance companies that minimize injuries or shift blame.

Free consultation. No fees unless we win.

Additional Dog Bite Resources

• The New Era for New York Dog-Bite Claims: How Flanders v. Goodfellow Unleashed Negligence Liability
• Protect Yourself Before & After A Dog Bite