New York City

New York City Dog Bite Lawyers

Over $350 million recovered since 1957. Our Kew Gardens office in Queens serves clients across all five boroughs, with a second office in Hicksville for Long Island.

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Dog Bite cases in New York City

New York applies a narrower rule than most states. There is no general negligence claim for a dog bite: the owner is strictly liable for the medical costs, and liable more broadly, only where the animal had a vicious propensity and the owner knew or should have known about it.
  1. 01

    Proving that knowledge is the work —

    prior bites and lunges, complaints to the building or the block, a muzzle order, warning signs the owner posted, and the DOHMH animal bite report the city requires a treating provider to file.

  2. 02

    In an apartment city the landlord can also be a defendant where the building knew a dangerous dog was kept on the premises and did nothing. Most of these claims are paid by a homeowner's, renter's or building policy rather than personally by the owner, which matters because a large share of them involve a neighbour, a friend or a relative — and clients are usually relieved to learn the claim is against an insurer.

What the law requires

New York is a vicious-propensity state, not a strict liability state: recovery generally requires showing the owner knew or should have known the dog had a tendency to behave that way — prior lunges or bites, a warning sign, a muzzle, complaints to a landlord, an Animal Control history.
  1. 01

    Where that is proved, the owner is strictly liable for the injuries.

    A landlord who knew a tenant kept such a dog and could have removed it can also be liable, which matters because a landlord usually carries real insurance.

  2. 02

    Most of these recoveries are paid by homeowner's or renter's policies.

Verdicts and settlements

Recoveries obtained by this firm

  • $7,500,000

    Verdict for wrongful death, against landlord, caused by fire that spread through apartment that was without smoke detectors.

  • $4,400,000

    Verdict for motor vehicle accident causing spinal injuries requiring surgery.

  • $4,000,000

    For a truck driver struck in the rear by a bus sustaining a brain injury.

All results

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different, and the result in any case depends on its own facts.

Why clients call us

What you get from this firm

  • A partner works on your case directly — you are not handed to an associate
  • A firm that has handled dog bite cases in New York City since 1957
  • Free consultation, and you pay nothing unless we win
  • Home and hospital visits if you cannot travel
  • Cases handled in English and Spanish
  • Open 24 hours — call when it happens, not when the office opens

Questions about dog bite cases in New York City

Not answered here? A lawyer will answer it, free and at any hour.

Ask us directly
Which court would my case be in?
A city case is filed in the Supreme Court of the county where it arose — Queens in Jamaica, Kings at 360 Adams Street, Bronx at 851 Grand Concourse, New York County at 60 Centre Street, Richmond in St. George. If the defendant is the City, the MTA, the Transit Authority, NYCHA or a public hospital, a Notice of Claim is due within 90 days.
What does it cost to hire you?
Nothing up front. The consultation is free and the fee comes out of the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee.
How soon should I call?
As soon as you can. Deadlines aside, the evidence in these cases has a short life — camera footage is overwritten, vehicles are repaired, sites are cleaned up and records age out. Early work is what makes the difference.

In their words

What our clients say

5.0 from 90 Google reviews
★★★★★
No complaints at all. Everything went according to what they said and I’m thankful for their representation.
M M
★★★★★
If there was more than 5 stars Seth Fields and his associates would get them all. Mr. FIelds went to trial with a jury in Suffolk Cty Riverhead Supreme Ct & won w/ a verdict in minutes for 100% Liability. The defense worked with Mr. FIelds in a settlement before the damages trial began. I would stop here searching any further & contact Seth Fields if you want a Smart, Attainable for your questions, concerns, Empathetic to your needs but a Bull Dog with your case, then you found your attorney.I can’t thank you enough for all your long hours, weekends, holidays that you put into 7 yrs of all my medical, motions, hearings & trial etc. WE WON! You did it and obtained a large settlement that I couldn’t be more happy after this long tough journey. I would refer everyone to you that has a case that needs fighting for. 🙏
Kristen Parker
★★★★★
The most amazing, professional and knowledgeable with great communicators with injury law, and I highly recommend that there is no reason for second and third opinions on procuring a law firm with their experience and know how. They are second to none. My time was precious, and they respected every minute of it. Thank you!
Robert Hendy

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