Personal Injury Lawsuit After Dog Attack
Every state has slightly different dog bite liability laws. Most states have enacted a statute about dog bite liability that overrides the common law regulations about dog attacks. New York is unique because it mixes the old, traditional common law rule with a new statutory rule.
OLD LAW: The “One Free Bite” Rule
Common law is a general term used to describe laws that came over from England with our ancestors when the American court system was first established. Under common law, a dog owner was only liable for a dog attack when the owner was aware that the dog was violent or vicious.
Usually, the only way that the owner would know that the dog is dangerous is if the dog had already attacked someone else. This rule gave the dog one free bite before the owner knew it was violent. The rule is usually referred to as the One Free Bite Rule, One Bite Rule or the First Bite Rule. It also applies to many other domestic animals.
NEW LAW:
Thanks to a 2025 decision by New York’s highest court, New York dog bite victims can now pursue a claim based on common-law negligence, which holds dog owners responsible for failing to exercise reasonable care. This landmark decision has removed an unfair barrier and ensures fairness by leveling the playing field for dog bite victims. Dog owners now have a greater responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent harm. Dog bite victims now have a greater chance of receiving compensation when dog owners fail to take reasonable steps to prevent a dog attack.
If injured by a dog bite, victims have up to three years to file a lawsuit to recover damages.
If you or a loved one was the victim of a dog bite attack, the New York Dog Bite Lawyers at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP are here to help. By understanding the physical, emotional, and financial burdens faced by victims of dog bite cases, Greenstein & Pittari, LLP works diligently to alleviate these challenges. The New York Dog Bite Attorneys at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP are skilled at handling dog bite cases. We have decades of experience helping dog bite victims recover the compensation they deserve.
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP has seven convenient locations throughout New York. They maintain offices in Harlem, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County. Your convenience is their top priority!
Don’t be a Victim Twice – Call 1-800-Victim2
Greenstein & Pittari, LLP firm’s motto is “Don’t Be A Victim Twice”. If you are a victim of a dog bite, call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) to speak with the experienced New York Dog Bite Lawyers at Greenstein & Pittari, LLP. The call is free. The consultation is free. You don’t pay us unless we are successful. That’s our “Our Fee Guarantee – No Fee Unless Successful.