Dog Bite Lawyer in Manhattan

50 Years Representing Manhattan Injury Victims. One Attorney on Your Case.

Dog bite incidents in New York City are rising. NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported 4,041 dog bite incidents citywide in 2024, the highest annual total in a decade of tracking. When an attack happens, the injuries can be serious, the legal questions complicated, and the recovery long. At Loscalzo & Loscalzo, P.C., we’ve represented injury victims in Manhattan for more than 50 years, focusing our practice entirely on personal injury law so our attention stays where it belongs: on our clients.

We assign one attorney to each dog bite case from the first call through resolution. That means consistent communication, a single point of contact, and an attorney who knows every detail of what happened to you. Initial consultations are free, there are no upfront legal fees, and we’re available to meet at home, in the hospital, or wherever is most convenient during your recovery. Spanish-speaking services are also available.

Injuries Sustained in Dog Attacks

A dog bite or attack can produce injuries far beyond what the wound itself suggests. Physical trauma ranges from puncture wounds and deep lacerations to broken bones, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and disfigurement. In severe cases, attacks result in death. Infections, including bacterial infection and, in rare cases, rabies, can develop quickly when wounds go untreated.

Children are particularly vulnerable. Beyond the physical harm, many victims, especially young ones, develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition in which the mind continues to replay and react to a traumatic event long after it ends. Medical documentation of injuries, starting from the day of the attack, is critical evidence in any dog bite claim.

Physical injuries commonly seen in dog attacks include:

• Puncture wounds and deep lacerations
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Broken or fractured bones
• Nerve damage
• Bacterial infections
• Rabies exposure
• Wrongful death in severe cases

New York Dog Bite Law: What Victims Need to Know

New York’s liability framework for dog bite cases has changed significantly. Liability is governed primarily by New York Agriculture and Markets Law Section 123, which establishes strict liability for medical costs when a dog has been classified as dangerous. For decades, recovering damages beyond medical expenses, including lost wages, pain and suffering, and scarring, required proof that the dog had vicious propensities (a history of aggressive behavior such as prior bites, lunging, growling, muzzle use, or complaints) and that the owner knew or should have known about them.

The 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow Ruling

That framework shifted in April 2025. In Flanders v. Goodfellow (2025 NY Slip Op 02261), the New York Court of Appeals overturned its earlier decision in Bard v. Jahnke and held that ordinary negligence claims are now available to dog bite victims even when a dog has no prior history of aggression. Under this standard, the question is whether the owner failed to exercise reasonable care. Violating NYC’s leash law, which requires dogs in public spaces to be on a leash no longer than six feet, leaving a gate unsecured, or failing to restrain a dog in a crowded area can each independently support a negligence claim.

Landlord Liability, Insurance, & Reporting Deadlines

Liability can also extend beyond the dog’s owner. In apartment buildings, a landlord who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to act may share responsibility for an attack. Homeowners and renters insurance policies frequently cover dog bite claims, making those policies an important avenue for seeking compensation.

A few procedural deadlines are worth knowing early. New York’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the attack. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year period. For minor victims, the limitation period is tolled until age 18, giving them until age 21 to file. Dog bites in New York City must also be reported within 24 hours through 311 or the NYC Health Department’s online reporting form.

Our attorneys have handled dog bite claims in Manhattan for more than 50 years and understand how these legal standards apply to real cases in local courts. The Flanders ruling opens claim paths that weren’t available before, and we evaluate each case carefully to identify each avenue for seeking compensation.

Why Choose Loscalzo & Loscalzo, P.C. for Your Manhattan Dog Bite Case

Personal injury firms vary widely in how they structure their work. At Loscalzo & Loscalzo, P.C., one attorney handles each case from intake to resolution. You won’t be passed between staff members or left waiting to hear who is managing your file. That accountability matters in a dog bite case, where facts develop quickly, evidence needs to be preserved early, and ongoing medical treatment affects the value of a claim.

What clients can expect when working with our firm:

• Single-attorney model: One attorney manages your case throughout, providing a clear point of contact and consistent guidance at every stage.
• Free initial consultation: We evaluate your case at no cost so you can understand your legal options without financial pressure.
• No upfront legal fees: You don’t pay unless we recover on your behalf.
• Flexible meeting locations: We meet clients at home, in the hospital, or at their place of business when needed.
• Spanish-speaking services: We provide support for Spanish-speaking clients to foster clear communication.
• 50-plus years in Manhattan: We’ve represented injury victims in Manhattan for more than five decades, with over 100 years of combined legal experience across our attorneys.
• Focused practice: We handle personal injury cases exclusively, keeping our attention on the needs of injured clients.
• Merit-based case acceptance: We carefully evaluate cases and accept those with a valid legal basis, allowing us to remain fully committed to each client we represent.

What to Expect During a Dog Bite Claim

A dog bite claim may resolve in a few months or may take considerably longer, depending on the severity of injuries and the circumstances of the attack. One of the most important decisions in the process is timing. Settling before reaching maximum medical improvement, the point at which a doctor determines that further recovery is unlikely, can result in a settlement that fails to account for future medical costs, ongoing treatment, or lasting limitations.

Insurance companies often dispute liability, downplay injuries, or raise provocation as a defense. Early legal representation helps counter those tactics. Preserving evidence at the outset makes a material difference: photographs of the injuries and location, clothing worn during the attack, witness contact information, and any 311 or animal control reports all strengthen a claim.

Compensation in a dog bite case can include medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and psychological counseling. The amount depends on the specific facts of your case, including injury severity, available evidence, and whether insurance coverage applies. We keep clients informed throughout and provide steady guidance from the first consultation through final resolution.

Contact our dog bite lawyers in Manhattan today at (646) 846-4776 for a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bite Claims

What Should I Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Manhattan?

Seek medical attention first. Have the wound cleaned and professionally evaluated as soon as possible. Document the scene and injuries with photographs, get the dog owner’s name and contact information, and report the bite to NYC’s 311 system or the NYC Health Department within 24 hours, as city rules require. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Then contact a dog bite attorney to understand your legal options before evidence fades or deadlines become an issue.

How Can I Prove That a Dog Owner Was Negligent?

Before the April 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow ruling, most claims required proof of prior aggression to recover damages beyond medical costs. That’s no longer the only path. Evidence of prior bites, growling, lunging, or muzzle use still supports a strict liability claim under Agriculture and Markets Law Section 123. But under the negligence standard established in Flanders, a dog owner who failed to leash their dog, left a gate unsecured, or didn’t restrain their dog in a crowded setting can now be held liable even if the dog had never acted aggressively before.

What Compensation Can I Expect from a Dog Bite Claim?

Compensation depends on the specific facts of the case and the extent of the injuries. Victims may seek compensation for medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and psychological counseling. The amount varies based on injury severity, available evidence, and whether insurance coverage applies. An attorney can help evaluate the full range of damages before any settlement discussions begin.

Are Dog Owners in Manhattan Required to Have Insurance?

New York doesn’t require dog owners to carry specific liability insurance for their animals. However, many homeowners and renters insurance policies include coverage for dog bite incidents, which can be a significant source of compensation for victims. Whether coverage applies to your claim depends on the specific policy and circumstances. Consulting with an attorney early helps identify available sources of compensation.

Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes. New York follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning a victim’s recovery is reduced in proportion to their share of fault but isn’t eliminated by it. If a court determines you were 25% at fault, the amount sought can be reduced by 25%. How fault is attributed is fact-specific, and legal representation can help present that allocation clearly.

What Is the Filing Deadline for a Dog Bite Claim Involving a Child?

New York’s standard statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. For minor victims, that period is tolled (meaning paused) until the child turns 18, giving them until age 21 to file. That doesn’t mean waiting is advisable. Evidence is easier to preserve, and witnesses are easier to locate, when a claim is pursued without unnecessary delay.