Animal Attack Lawyer Queens County

An animal attack can happen in many settings across Queens County, from a dog bite on a residential sidewalk in Flushing to an attack by an animal kept on a commercial or agricultural property. The injuries that result, ranging from puncture wounds and lacerations to more serious harm requiring surgery, can carry significant medical costs and lasting physical or emotional effects. New York law addresses animal attack claims through more than one legal pathway, and which pathway applies can depend on the type of animal involved, whether it has a known history of aggressive behavior, and the relationship between the injured person and the animal’s owner or keeper. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. represents people injured in animal attacks in Queens County, reviewing the circumstances of the incident to determine what legal claims may be available and against whom. In some dog-related cases, New York’s Agriculture and Markets Law provides a specific, limited path to recovery, while claims involving other animals, or aspects of a dog-related claim not covered by that statute, typically proceed under common-law negligence or premises-liability principles. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys evaluate each animal attack case individually, since the facts surrounding ownership, prior incidents, and the location of the attack all affect how a claim should be pursued. Anyone injured in an animal attack in Queens County can discuss the circumstances of the incident by calling (888) 437-7747.

What an Animal Attack Claim Means in Queens County

An animal attack claim is a civil action seeking compensation for injuries caused by an animal, most commonly a dog, though claims can also arise from attacks by other animals kept by a property owner or business. The legal theory that applies depends heavily on the type of animal involved and the specific facts of the attack.

For attacks involving a dog that has been judicially adjudicated a “dangerous dog” under New York’s animal control laws, N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 123, subd. 10 makes the dog’s owner or lawful custodian strictly liable, but only for the medical costs resulting from the attack. This is a narrow, specific remedy limited to medical expenses. Under N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 123, subd. 12, nothing in that statute limits or removes any claim an injured person may otherwise have under common law, so damages beyond medical costs, such as lost income or the effect of the injury on daily life, are generally pursued through a separate common-law negligence or premises-liability claim rather than through the dangerous-dog statute itself. This dangerous-dog framework is only one part of the picture, and it applies to a specific category of dog-related incidents; it does not govern attacks by other types of animals, which are generally addressed under ordinary common-law negligence and premises-liability principles based on what the owner or keeper knew, or should have known, about the animal’s tendencies.

Timing also matters. Under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5), a personal injury claim arising from an animal attack generally must be commenced within three years of the date of the injury.

New York’s general comparative-fault rule, N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 1411(a), typically applies to animal attack claims, since these claims do not usually involve a motor vehicle. Under this rule, an injured person’s own conduct, if any contributed to the incident, reduces the damages recoverable in proportion to that share of fault, but does not automatically bar recovery altogether.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle These Cases

When Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys evaluate an animal attack case in Queens County, the first step is determining what kind of animal was involved and what is known about its history. For a dog with a documented history of aggression, the firm considers whether the dangerous-dog framework under N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 123 may apply to medical costs, along with a separate common-law claim for the remaining losses the attack caused. For attacks by other animals, or where the dangerous-dog statute does not apply, the firm focuses on building a common-law negligence or premises-liability claim based on what the owner or property occupant knew, or should have known, about the risk the animal posed.

Building this kind of case typically involves gathering animal control and municipal records, veterinary or ownership records, witness statements, and evidence about prior incidents involving the same animal, along with the injured person’s medical records documenting the treatment the attack required. Because liability in an animal attack case often turns on what the owner or keeper knew about the animal beforehand, this evidence can be central to the claim.

The firm also communicates with insurance carriers and, where necessary, prepares the case for litigation in the appropriate New York court. The firm does not offer free consultations, but Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys can review the facts of an animal attack and explain the legal options that may apply. Anyone injured in an animal attack in Queens County can request a consultation to discuss the incident.

About the Firm’s Legal Team

The firm was founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, who serves as Owner and Founder. Before founding the firm, Mr. Sris worked as a prosecutor, and that background informs the firm’s approach to investigating the facts behind an injury claim. Mr. Sris is admitted to practice law in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His background in accounting and information systems, developed through coursework at George Mason University, is applied to complex financial and technology-related cases, including the calculation of medical costs and other losses that follow a serious animal attack.

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys handle personal injury matters for clients across Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York, including animal attack claims arising in Queens County. The firm’s approach involves reviewing the type of animal involved, what was known about its history, and the location and circumstances of the attack, then applying the appropriate combination of statutory and common-law principles to the case. The firm does not offer free consultations. Prospective clients can request a consultation to discuss a potential animal attack claim and learn how the firm’s legal team can assist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to file an animal attack claim in New York?

Under N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5), a personal injury claim arising from an animal attack generally must be commenced within three years of the date of the injury. This deadline applies regardless of whether the claim proceeds under a statutory theory, such as New York’s dangerous-dog law, or under common-law negligence principles. Waiting to address a potential claim can make it more difficult to gather evidence, such as witness accounts or animal control records, so addressing the timing of a claim early is generally advisable.

Is the owner of a dog always liable for a bite?

Not automatically. Under N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 123, subd. 10, an owner or lawful custodian of a dog that has been judicially adjudicated a “dangerous dog” is strictly liable, but only for the medical costs resulting from the attack. Liability for other losses, and liability where the dog has not been adjudicated dangerous, generally depends on common-law negligence principles, including what the owner knew or should have known about the dog’s tendencies. Subd. 12 of the same statute confirms that a common-law claim remains available alongside this limited statutory remedy.

What if I was attacked by an animal other than a dog?

Claims involving attacks by animals other than dogs, including animals kept on commercial or agricultural property, generally proceed under common-law negligence and premises-liability principles rather than the dog-specific statute discussed above. These claims typically focus on what the owner or property occupant knew, or should have known, about the animal’s dangerous tendencies and whether reasonable precautions were taken. Each case depends heavily on its specific facts, including the type of animal, its history, and the setting in which the attack occurred.

Can my own actions affect my animal attack claim?

Yes. Most animal attack claims are governed by New York’s general comparative-fault rule, N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 1411(a). Under this rule, if the injured person’s own conduct contributed to the incident, the damages recoverable are reduced in proportion to that share of fault, but recovery is not automatically barred. The specific facts of how the attack occurred, including any interaction between the injured person and the animal beforehand, are relevant to this analysis and are reviewed carefully in each case.

Does the firm offer a free consultation for animal attack cases?

The firm does not offer free consultations. Anyone injured in an animal attack in Queens County can call (888) 437-7747 to schedule a consultation and discuss the circumstances of the incident, the animal involved, and the legal options that may apply under New York law. Scheduling a consultation allows Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys to review the relevant facts before advising on potential next steps.

Related Pages

• Dog Bite Lawyer Queens County
• Negligence Lawyer Queens County
• Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Queens County
• Assault Injury Lawyer Queens County
• How much is my personal injury case worth in Queens County

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.

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For the background behind a Queens claim, our page explains how New York handles animal attack claims.