Dog Bites

Dog Bite Lawyers Serving New York & New Jersey

If you or your child has been bitten by a dog in New York or New Jersey, you understand how quickly a routine walk or a visit to a friend’s home can become a medical emergency. Dog bites can cause deep puncture wounds, torn tissue, nerve damage, broken bones, and permanent scarring, and the risk of infection from bacteria introduced through the wound makes prompt medical treatment critical even when the bite initially appears minor.

Dog owners are responsible for controlling their animals, and when they fail to do so and someone is hurt as a result, the law provides a path to compensation for the injured person. At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., our New York and New Jersey dog bite lawyer has been representing injury victims across both states since 1975. We offer free consultations and handle dog bite cases on contingency.

Trusted dog bite lawyers with over 51 years of experience.

What does a dog bite claim involve under New York and New Jersey law?

The legal framework for dog bite liability differs between these two states, and the distinction matters because it affects what a victim must prove to recover compensation. In New York, an owner’s liability depends on whether the dog was known to be dangerous, and under Agriculture and Markets Law § 123, if the dog has a documented history of aggressive behavior that the owner knew about or should have known about, the owner can be held strictly liable for the injuries the animal causes.

New Jersey applies a stricter standard, and dog owners in NJ are strictly liable for bite injuries that occur in a public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before or shown any prior aggression.

Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in New York and New Jersey

Dog attacks happen in a variety of settings and can involve any breed of animal, and our firm handles a broad range of dog bite injuries across both states.

• Severe lacerations and puncture wounds. Large dogs can inflict deep tissue damage that requires surgical repair, stitches, or skin grafts, and even smaller breeds can cause serious puncture wounds that become infected if not treated promptly.
• Facial and head injuries. Children are particularly vulnerable to bites on the face, scalp, and neck because of their height relative to larger animals, and these injuries often leave permanent scarring that may require multiple reconstructive procedures over time.
• Broken bones. Powerful dog breeds can fracture small bones in hands, wrists, and forearms, and being knocked down by a large dog during an attack frequently causes hip fractures and head injuries from the impact of the fall itself.
• Infections and disease transmission. According to the CDC’s animal bite data, dog bites can transmit bacteria that cause cellulitis, MRSA, and in rare cases rabies, and infection risk increases significantly when the victim delays medical treatment.
• Nerve damage. Deep bites can sever or compress nerves in the hands, arms, or legs, causing numbness, tingling, loss of grip strength, or chronic pain that may require surgical intervention and long-term physical therapy.
• Emotional and psychological trauma. Dog attacks frequently cause post-traumatic stress, anxiety around animals, nightmares, and lasting behavioral changes, and these effects are particularly pronounced in children who were attacked by an animal they previously trusted.

Why Choose Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. for Dog Bite Cases in New York and New Jersey?

Decades of Personal Injury Advocacy

Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across New York, NY and New Jersey, NJ in cases ranging from motor vehicle accidents to premises liability to medical malpractice. While many dog bite claims settle through the owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy before litigation becomes necessary, the more serious cases involving children, disfigurement, or multiple surgeries often require attorneys who are willing to file suit and prepare for trial, and our firm has that experience and that willingness.

Barry S. Kantrowitz has practiced law for more than 40 years and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He is licensed in New York, New Jersey, and Florida, earned his J.D. from Boston University School of Law, and is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and The National Trial Lawyers.

Kate Carballo focuses on personal injury litigation in New Jersey and New York and is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney designated by the New Jersey Supreme Court. She has been selected as a Super Lawyer in New Jersey from 2024 through 2026.

Our personal injury lawyer in New York and New Jersey understands the specific statutes, insurance dynamics, and medical issues involved in animal attack claims.

“Barry Kantrowitz was exceptionally responsive, patient, understanding, and (given that I am a layperson) understandable. If you need the type of services his firm offers, you should call them.” — Steve Wexler

Understanding Dog Bite Cases

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Dog Bite Cases

A dog bite that looks manageable in the emergency room can turn into a long and expensive medical problem. Puncture wounds get infected. Lacerations on the face require plastic surgery and sometimes revision procedures months later because scar tissue contracts in ways that pull the skin and distort features. A child bitten on the hand may need occupational therapy to regain grip strength and fine motor control. And the psychological impact, especially for young children, can require months of counseling to address fears that did not exist before the attack.

All of these costs are recoverable in a dog bite claim, along with wages lost during recovery, out-of-pocket expenses for prescriptions and medical supplies, and the pain and suffering caused by both the physical injury and the emotional aftermath.

Who pays depends on which state the attack occurred in. In New York, recovery for full damages, such as pain and suffering, can be sought by showing the owner was negligent in controlling the animal such as failing to follow leash laws or secure a gate, or by proving the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. Evidence of a dangerous history can come from prior complaints filed with animal control, testimony from neighbors who witnessed aggressive behavior, or records showing the dog had bitten someone before. In New Jersey, the analysis is simpler because strict liability applies whenever a dog bites someone who is lawfully present in a public space or on the owner’s property, regardless of whether the dog has any history of aggression. Most claims in both states are paid through the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy, and renters may have liability coverage through their renter’s policy as well.

Important Aspects in Your Dog Bite Case

The hours immediately after a dog attack matter more than most people realize. Infection is the biggest medical concern with bite wounds because the bacteria in a dog’s mouth can cause cellulitis or worse within 24 hours, and a wound that looks manageable at the scene can turn into a serious medical problem by the next morning. Get to an urgent care or emergency room the same day, even if you think the bite is minor.

While you are still at the scene, get the dog owner’s name, address, and phone number, and ask whether the animal’s rabies vaccination is current. If the owner leaves or refuses to identify themselves, call police or animal control and give them as much information as you can about the dog and where the attack occurred. An official report creates a paper trail that supports your claim and also protects the next person who encounters that animal.

Photograph everything. Take pictures of the wounds before they are cleaned and bandaged, and then take more photos every few days as the injuries heal. Scarring from a dog bite changes dramatically over weeks and months as scar tissue forms and contracts, and a visual record of that progression is some of the most persuasive evidence you can present to an insurance adjuster or a jury. Keep every receipt and bill connected to the injury, from the ER copay to the mileage you drive to follow-up appointments.

Dog Bite Case Timeline

Dog bite cases in New York, NY and New Jersey, NJ typically proceed through the following stages, and the timeline varies depending on the severity of the injuries and the complexity of the liability issues.

• Medical treatment and documentation of injuries is the first priority, and this phase includes any necessary surgical procedures, infection management, scar treatment, and psychological care for anxiety or PTSD resulting from the attack.
• Investigation follows, including identification of the dog and owner, review of animal control records and any prior complaints, assessment of the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance coverage, and gathering of witness statements.
• Your attorney files a claim against the owner’s insurance policy, and if the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation, a lawsuit is filed within the applicable statute of limitations.
• Discovery and depositions proceed if the case is in litigation, followed by settlement negotiations or trial.

What to Bring to Your Dog Bite Consultation

Gathering the following information before your consultation will help us evaluate your claim efficiently and accurately.

• Medical records and bills from all treatment related to the bite, including emergency room visits, specialist referrals, and any prescriptions
• Photographs of the injuries taken at different stages of healing to document the progression of wounds and scarring
• The dog owner’s name, address, and insurance information if available
• Any police or animal control reports filed after the attack
• Names and contact information for witnesses who observed the incident

The consultation is free, and we will tell you honestly whether your case is one we can pursue.

New York and New Jersey Legal Resources for Dog Bite Cases

New York

These resources can help you research New York laws governing dog bite liability and animal control:

• New York State Unified Court System provides information on civil court filing deadlines and procedures for personal injury claims
• New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets oversees the dangerous dog statute and related enforcement procedures across the state
• New York State Legislature allows you to search the Agriculture and Markets Law and other statutes governing animal owner liability

New Jersey

These resources cover New Jersey dog bite law and animal control:

• New Jersey Courts provides guidance on statutes of limitations and civil filing procedures
• New Jersey Department of Health tracks rabies exposure reports and provides guidance on post-bite medical protocols for bite victims
• CDC Dog Bite Prevention provides national data on dog bite injuries and prevention guidance

Reach Out to Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a family member was hurt in a dog attack in New York or New Jersey, Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. is ready to help. We have served clients across both states for more than 51 years. Contact us for a free consultation.