Meet your New York City Dog Bite Attorneys
Paul Ajlouny
Paul Ajlouny focuses on personal injury law across New York State, handling cases involving slips and falls, auto accidents, premises liability, dog bites, and pedestrian accidents.
A St. John’s University graduate, he began his career at the prestigious Daniel Galinson firm and has earned a reputation for exceptional results, securing over $150,000,000 for clients. Ajlouny is committed to offering personalized care and fighting aggressively for clients during their most challenging times.
Michael Levitz
Michael Levitz is a dedicated personal injury attorney who advocates and commits to fair settlements. Drawing on his experience as a former competitive athlete, he skillfully works with large insurance companies and builds strong, personal relationships with clients.
Levitz has received notable recognition with a law degree from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, including being named one of the Top 40 National Trial Lawyers under 40 and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine.
How our New York City dog bite law firm can help
At Ajlouny Injury Law, we understand the trauma and challenges that follow a dog bite incident. We offer comprehensive support in several critical areas to ensure you receive the compensation and care you deserve:
- Recovering lost wages: If your injury has forced you to miss work, we’ll help you pursue compensation for lost income, ensuring your financial stability during recovery.
- Medical bills and rehabilitation: Dog bites can lead to significant medical expenses, from emergency treatment to long-term physical therapy. We’ll assist in covering these costs so you can focus on healing without financial worry.
- Pain and suffering: Beyond the physical injuries, dog bites can cause significant pain and emotional distress. We will fight to secure compensation for the suffering you've endured.
- Disfigurement and disability: In severe cases, dog bites may result in permanent disfigurement, disability, or even amputations. We will pursue damages to cover these injuries' lifelong impact on your quality of life.
- Infections: Dog bites can lead to serious infections, requiring extensive medical treatment. Our team will ensure that the responsible parties cover these additional medical costs.
- Emotional recovery and PTSD: The psychological impact of a dog attack can be profound, leading to conditions like PTSD. We recognize the importance of mental health and will work to include compensation for emotional recovery.
- Bites while working on someone’s property: If you were bitten while performing your job on someone else’s property, we’ll help you navigate the complexities of worker’s compensation and pursue any additional claims against the dog owner.
We’re here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you receive the full compensation you’re entitled to, covering all aspects of your recovery.
Important initial advice for your dog bite case
Taking the right steps immediately after a dog bite can significantly impact your case. Here's what to do:
- Collect the dog owner’s contact details to ensure you can reach them for any necessary follow-up or legal actions.
- Minimize discussions with the dog owner to avoid any admissions of fault or misunderstandings that could affect your case.
- Seek immediate medical treatment to document your injuries and receive appropriate care supporting your health and claim.
- Report the incident to the police and animal control to create an official record and prompt an investigation.
- Photograph your injuries and the scene to provide visual evidence that supports your claim and shows the extent of your injuries.
- Obtain contact information for any witnesses to strengthen your case with their accounts of the incident.
- Avoid discussing the case on social media to prevent any statements from being used against you by insurance companies or the other party.
- Consult with our New York City dog bite and animal attack attorney before accepting any insurance offers to ensure you receive fair compensation and fully understand the terms.
- Use precise language when communicating with insurance companies to avoid any misunderstandings or admissions that could harm your claim.
- Verify if the dog is vaccinated against rabies to address any potential health risks and ensure proper medical treatment.
- Keep all medical records from your visits and treatments to document the impact and costs of your injuries.
- Preserve evidence, such as damaged clothing from the attack, as this can support your claim.
- Investigate the dog's history for any previous incidents or behavioral issues that might indicate negligence.
- Acknowledge and seek help for emotional impacts like anxiety or PTSD, which can be important for your case.
- File your claim and submit documentation within legal deadlines to ensure you do not lose the opportunity to seek compensation.
Child dog bite victims
We understand how distressing it can be when a dog bites a child. The emotional and physical impacts on young victims can be profound and challenging for families. In New York, specific laws address dog bite incidents involving children, recognizing that children are more vulnerable and often unable to avoid dangerous situations.
Children frequently aren’t aware of how to prevent dog bites and might act in ways that put them at risk. Most dog bite injuries involve owned pets, and young kids are often bitten by dogs they know.
Under New York law, dog owners are generally held liable for injuries their pets cause, especially if the dog has a history of aggression. In cases involving children, the legal system often considers their age and vulnerability, which can impact the case's outcome and compensation.
Deadlines
In New York, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, including dog bite cases, is generally three years from the date of the incident. It's best to act quickly and not wait until the last minute, as delays can weaken your case and potentially bar you from recovery.
Contacting a lawyer from our NYC dog bite law firm as soon as possible ensures that all necessary steps are taken within the legal time frame and helps preserve crucial evidence.
Gathering evidence with our NYC dog bite lawyer
To build a strong case for your dog bite injury, start collecting the following evidence as soon as possible:
- Police documentation: Obtain a copy of the police report to have an official record of the incident.
- Medical records: Gather all records related to your injuries, treatments, and any ongoing care.
- Eyewitness statements: Collect contact information and statements from anyone who witnessed the attack.
- Photo/video evidence: Take clear photos or videos of your injuries, the scene of the attack, and any involved animals.
- Animal control reports: If applicable, get reports from animal control if they were involved in handling the case.
- Insurance communications: Document all interactions with insurance companies and keep copies of any correspondence or offers.
We know collecting this evidence can be overwhelming while you're recovering. Let us handle the details so you can focus on your recovery.
What can I expect to pay?
You don’t need to worry about upfront legal fees when working with us. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay us if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the compensation you receive. You don't owe us anything if we don’t secure a settlement or win in court.
This way, you can focus on your recovery without the stress of paying legal fees out of pocket.
Why choose us over other New York City dog bite attorneys?
When it comes to handling dog bite cases in New York City, our personal injury lawyers stand out for several compelling reasons:
- Personalized attention: We treat every client as an individual, not just a case number. Our devoted team ensures that your specific needs and concerns are addressed with the utmost care and attention throughout the legal process. As soon as you speak with us, our lawyers can help you file a dog bite claim in New York.
- Proven track record: Our firm has a history of achieving favorable outcomes for clients. We’ve secured substantial settlements and verdicts, demonstrating our capability to handle even the most complex dog bite cases effectively.
- Expertise in dog bite law: We specialize in dog bite cases, which means we understand the nuances of New York's legal landscape. Our in-depth knowledge helps us navigate the legal system efficiently and advocate strongly on your behalf.
- Comprehensive support: We offer full-spectrum support to our clients beyond just legal representation. This support includes helping with medical expenses, connecting you with necessary resources, and providing guidance every step of the way.
Choosing our firm means selecting a team dedicated to your case and committed to delivering results. If you are a victim of a dog bite or were injured by a dog, our dog bite lawyers can investigate your claim.
General information on dog bites in New York City
Dog bites can be serious and confusing to handle. Here, we'll offer some important insights into what you need to know if you’ve been involved in a dog bite incident in New York City. We aim to help you understand your situation better and guide you through the necessary steps to protect your rights and well-being.
Who is liable for dog bite injuries in New York?
Under Section 121 of the New York Code, the owner or custodian of a "dangerous dog" is legally responsible for paying medical expenses if their dog injures a person, livestock, or a companion animal, including service dogs.
Here's some more detail on this:
- Dog owner's responsibility: The owner is the primary one responsible for injuries caused by a dog. New York law mandates that dog owners control their animals and ensure they do not pose a risk to others. The owner is generally liable for the victim's injuries and related costs if a dog bites someone.
- Custodian liability: If the dog was under someone else's care, such as a dog sitter or a friend, that person might also be held liable, especially if they were negligent in managing or restraining the dog.
- "Dangerous dog" classification: New York distinguishes between "dangerous" and non-dangerous dogs. If a dog has previously shown aggressive behavior or been declared dangerous, the owner may face heightened liability. This designation can affect the extent of financial responsibility for injuries.
- Property owner's liability: If the bite occurred on someone else's property, such as a business or public area, the property owner may be partially liable if they failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from causing harm.
- Shared liability: In some cases, liability might be shared. For instance, if the victim provoked the dog, their actions could be considered in determining the degree of fault and the extent of damages awarded.
- Insurance coverage: Homeowners' or renters' insurance often covers dog bite claims. The insurance policy may play a significant role in addressing the financial aspects of the claim, potentially influencing who pays for the injuries.
Does New York have a one-bite rule?
New York's dog bite laws are more complex than the typical "one-bite" rule found in many states. Instead of just allowing one bite before holding a dog owner responsible, New York uses a mix of specific laws and court decisions.
This complexity means the law looks at more than just whether the dog has bitten before—it also considers other factors, like the dog's past behavior and what the owner knew about it. This factor makes New York's approach different from the straightforward one-bite rule used in other states.
How common are dog attacks?
Dog attacks are a significant concern in New York City. In 2014, there were 6,373 emergency department visits due to dog bite injuries, with 4% of these cases requiring hospitalization. Overall, there were 293 dog bite-related hospitalizations that year.
Despite stable hospitalization rates, the number of emergency department visits for dog bites increased by 12% from 2007 to 2014. However, reported dog bite incidents decreased by 10% during the same period.
In 2014 alone, there were 3,188 reported dog bites in NYC, with 6% of the 2,009 bites described as severe, involving serious injuries such as fractures, dislocations, or requiring surgery.
For more detailed statistics, you can refer to NYC Health.
How serious are dog bite injuries?
Dog bite injuries can vary significantly in severity, ranging from minor wounds to serious trauma. Common causes of dog bite injuries include:
- Provoked attacks: Situations where the dog is startled or feels threatened.
- Unsupervised children: Children playing or interacting with dogs without adult supervision.
- Stray dogs: Encounters with unfamiliar or stray dogs.
- Improper training: Dogs not adequately trained or socialized.
Dog bite injuries are typically classified into several levels of severity:
- Minor bites: Small punctures or scratches that may only require basic medical care.
- Moderate bites: Injuries that need stitches or more extensive treatment.
- Severe bites: Serious wounds involving deep lacerations, fractures, or dislocations, often requiring hospitalization or surgery.
Other locations we serve
Our team proudly serves all of New York City, ensuring that clients across the entire area receive the support they need. From Manhattan to Brooklyn and beyond, we're here to help you no matter where you are.
- Brooklyn
- Garden City
- New York
- Queens
Speak to a dog bite lawyer in New York City, NY, today!
If a dog has bitten you, it's important to get the right legal support to protect your rights and seek the compensation you deserve. Our experienced dog bite lawyers in New York City are here to help you through every step of the process.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you’re facing, and we're committed to fighting for the justice you need.
Ready to take action? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation after a dog attack in New York.
