Dog Bite Lawyer Nassau County

Nassau County’s suburban neighborhoods and shared public spaces mean encounters between people and dogs are common, and most are uneventful. When a dog bite does occur, the resulting wounds can require stitches, reconstructive treatment, and, for some victims, lasting scarring or a fear of dogs. New York’s approach to dog bite liability combines a narrow statutory provision with a broader common-law rule, and understanding how the two interact matters when evaluating a claim. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. reviews Nassau County dog bite claims under New York law. The firm does not offer free consultations; a scheduled consultation can be requested to discuss a specific incident. The firm’s intake line is staffed 24/7 at (888) 437-7747.

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How New York Law Treats Dog Bite Liability

New York does not have a broad statutory strict liability rule covering every dog bite. N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 123 establishes a court process for adjudicating a dog as a “dangerous dog,” and subdivision 10 of that section imposes strict liability on the dog’s owner or lawful custodian, but only for medical costs resulting from an injury caused by a dog that has already been adjudicated dangerous through that process. The statute does not provide for pain and suffering, lost earnings, or other non-medical damages.

Subdivision 12 of § 123 expressly preserves any claim a person injured by a dog may have under the common law or another statute, stating that the section’s provisions are in addition to those remedies. Under New York’s common-law rule, an owner or keeper who knew, or should have known, of a dog’s vicious or dangerous propensities can be held liable for injuries the dog causes, independent of the statutory dangerous-dog process. This common-law standard, not the statute, is the basis most dog bite claims proceed under in practice.

A personal injury claim arising from a dog bite is generally subject to the three-year limitations period in N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5). New York applies comparative fault under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 1411, so conduct attributed to the injured person, such as provoking the dog, can be relevant to the amount recoverable.

Nassau County Venue and How the Firm Approaches These Claims

A civil claim arising from a dog bite in Nassau County is typically filed in the Nassau County Supreme Court, located at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola, New York, within the Tenth Judicial District, reachable at (516) 493-3400. The firm does not maintain a physical location in Nassau County, and consultations are conducted by appointment.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys review the dog’s history, the owner’s or keeper’s knowledge of the dog’s tendencies, and the circumstances of the incident to evaluate a dog bite claim under common-law and, where applicable, statutory theories. The firm does not guarantee any particular outcome, and case results depend on the specific facts involved.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris is the Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. and a former prosecutor. He is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He attended George Mason University, where he developed a background in accounting and information systems. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 and practices in personal injury matters, including dog bite claims arising in Nassau County.

Attorneys who work with the firm other than Mr. Sris do so as the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work directly with the firm on dog bite matters, reviewing the facts of each case together. The firm’s principal office is located at 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, Virginia 22032, by appointment, and the firm does not maintain a physical location in Nassau County. Call (888) 437-7747 to request a scheduled consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Nassau County?

Under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5), a personal injury claim generally must be commenced within three years of the date of the injury. The applicable deadline should be confirmed for the specific facts of a case.

Is a dog owner automatically liable for a bite in New York?

Not automatically. New York’s statutory strict liability rule in N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 123(10) applies only to a dog already adjudicated a “dangerous dog,” and only for medical costs. Most claims instead proceed under the common-law rule holding an owner liable where the owner knew, or should have known, of the dog’s dangerous propensities.

What does “known dangerous propensities” mean?

Under New York’s common-law rule, an owner or keeper can be liable where there is evidence the owner knew, or should have known, that the dog had a tendency to bite or otherwise behave in a way that could cause injury, even without a prior bite.

Does it matter if I was on the dog owner’s property?

The circumstances of where and how the bite occurred are part of evaluating a claim, including whether the injured person had a lawful reason to be present and whether the owner’s or keeper’s conduct or knowledge contributed to the incident.

Does the firm offer a free consultation?

No. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. does not offer free consultations. A scheduled consultation can be requested by calling (888) 437-7747.

Does the firm have an office in Nassau County?

No. The firm does not maintain a physical location in Nassau County. The firm’s principal office is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and consultations are by appointment.

This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Results may vary.

Attorney Advertising. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., principal office: 4008 Williamsburg Court, Fairfax, VA 22032. By appointment. Call (888) 437-7747 to schedule.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

For the full picture beyond Nassau County, our page on dog bite cases in New York covers the process end to end.