A dog bite or attack can cause serious injuries, emotional trauma, and unexpected medical bills, especially when the incident could have been prevented. If you were injured in Rochester or anywhere in Upstate New York, you have the right to file a dog bite claim and pursue compensation under New York law. At Stanley Law Offices, our Rochester dog bite lawyer provides trusted legal representation for dog bite victims from our office conveniently located at 510 Clinton Square Ste 521, Rochester, NY 14604.
With over 90 years of combined experience, our personal injury attorneys know how to hold negligent owners accountable and challenge insurance companies that try to minimize your recovery.
We handle everything from gathering evidence and building your claim to dealing with insurers, so you can focus on healing. Call 1-800-608-3333 now for your free consultation.
What a Rochester Dog Bite Attorney Does to Strengthen Your Case
Every dog bite case we take on starts with a clear strategy built on facts, medical evidence, and New York’s liability laws.
Here’s how our Rochester dog bite attorney gets results:
1. Investigate the Incident from Day One
We examine every fact that affects your claim, whether the dog had a history of aggression, if leash laws were broken, how severe the injuries are, and whether the owner violated any city ordinances. These findings build the foundation for your case.
2. Challenge Lowball Offers from Insurance Companies
We respond directly to adjusters who attempt early, undervalued settlements. Our attorneys calculate the full impact of your injuries and fight for a fair payout that reflects your losses both immediate and long-term.
3. Apply Local Law to Support Your Claim
We analyze Rochester’s leash laws, interpret relevant New York statutes, and use them to demonstrate the dog owner’s liability. This legal framework gives your case more weight in negotiations or court.
4. Document Evidence That Proves Liability
We collect and organize medical records, photographs, expert reports, and animal control findings to clearly establish fault. This documentation makes it harder for insurers or defense attorneys to shift blame or deny your claim.
5. Litigate When Negotiation Fails
If insurance companies refuse to settle fairly, we’re prepared to take your case to court. Our trial experience allows us to present compelling arguments and evidence before a judge or jury, without delay.
Hiring an experienced dog bite injury lawyer means having a team that takes decisive legal action on your behalf. We investigate, negotiate, and litigate until you get the compensation you deserve.
Ready to take the next step? Make the first call to Stanley Law.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Rochester Dog Bite Claim?
Under the New York dog bite law, victims may be eligible to recover economic, non-economic, and in rare cases, punitive damages. Your total compensation depends on the severity of your injuries, the long-term impact, and the circumstances of the attack.
1. Economic Damages (Financial Losses)
- Medical Expenses: Covers emergency care, surgeries, follow-ups, prescriptions, physical therapy, and future medical care related to the bite.
- Lost Wages: Income lost during recovery due to missed work or temporary disability.
- Surgery Costs: Includes reconstructive or corrective surgery, especially for facial trauma, nerve damage, or functional repair.
- Reduced Earning Potential: If your injury prevents you from returning to your job or reduces your long-term ability to earn.
- Disability or Impairment: For permanent physical limitations that affect your daily life and ability to work.
2. Non-Economic Damages (Emotional & Quality-of-Life Impact)
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by the injury.
- Emotional Distress: Covers psychological effects such as anxiety, trauma, PTSD, or fear of dogs.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Especially when injuries are visible, long-term, or affect the face, hands, or limbs.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury limits hobbies, recreation, social activities, or normal daily routines.
- Embarrassment or Social Withdrawal: Common with disfiguring injuries or trauma that leads to self-isolation.
3. Punitive Damages (Rare but Possible)
Punitive damages are not common in New York dog bite cases, but may apply if the owner acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct, such as knowingly allowing a dangerous dog to roam freely after prior attacks. These damages are meant to punish and deter extreme recklessness.
You can settle for fast cash or fight for enough to last. At Stanley Law Offices, we calculate every dollar, fight every delay, and push for MAXIMUM Awards. Because anything less is a loss.
Liability in Rochester Dog Bite Cases: What New York Law Requires
New York applies a modified strict liability rule to dog bite cases. This means a dog owner is automatically responsible for your medical expenses, even if their dog has never bitten anyone before.
However, to recover additional damages like pain and suffering, lost wages, or emotional trauma, you must prove the owner either knew the dog was dangerous or acted negligently.
1. Vicious Propensities
New York courts recognize “vicious propensities” when a dog shows a pattern of aggressive or threatening behavior. Evidence may include:
- Prior bites or attacks
- History of growling, snapping, or lunging
- Use of muzzles, “Beware of Dog” signs, or restraining chains
- Reports or complaints to animal control or police
2. Owner Negligence
Negligence means the owner failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable harm. This could include:
- Leaving the dog unsupervised or unrestrained
- Failing to repair broken fences or gates
- Allowing the dog to roam in public or on someone else’s property
3. Rochester’s Leash Laws
While New York State does not have a universal leash law, the City of Rochester requires all dogs to be restrained in public either on a leash or securely confined to their owner’s property.
If a dog is roaming freely and causes an injury, this may serve as strong evidence of negligence. Although a leash law violation alone doesn’t guarantee full liability, it can greatly strengthen your claim, especially when paired with proof of prior aggression.
At Stanley Law Offices, we regularly use Rochester municipal codes, leash law violations, and animal control reports to build liability cases that hold negligent dog owners accountable.
Common Injuries After Dog Bites
Dog attacks often result in serious, sometimes life-altering injuries, especially for children and older adults. Many victims require emergency care, surgery, or long-term treatment to recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
Common injuries from dog bites include:
- Lacerations and Cuts: Often on the face, arms, or legs, these wounds may require stitches, skin grafts, or reconstructive surgery.
- Broken or Fractured Bones: Powerful bites or being knocked to the ground can break bones, especially in the wrists, arms, or ribs.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Tears to muscles, ligaments, or tendons may cause lasting pain, limited mobility, or the need for physical therapy.
- Head or Brain Injuries: Falls during an attack can lead to concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), especially in small children or seniors.
- Crushing or Nerve Injuries: Forceful bites can crush tissue and damage nerves, sometimes causing permanent loss of sensation or function.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: In rare but severe cases, dog attacks result in partial or complete paralysis, often requiring lifelong care.
- Infections from Bacteria: Dog bites carry bacteria like MRSA, Pasteurella, and Capnocytophaga, all of which can cause serious, fast-moving infections that require hospitalization.
Dog bite injuries are not just physical; they can change the course of someone’s life. We’ve seen the toll these attacks take on individuals across both city neighborhoods and rural areas of Monroe County and Western New York.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Rochester?
Taking the right steps after a dog bite protects your health, your rights, and your chance at full compensation.
Here’s what to do immediately:
1. Get Medical Attention Right Away
Even minor-looking bites can lead to infection, nerve damage, or internal injury. Visit an ER, urgent care, or your primary doctor. Your treatment records will support your injury claim.
2. Identify the Dog Owner and Report the Incident
Ask the dog owner for their name, contact info, and the dog’s vaccination history. Whether they cooperate or not, report the bite to Rochester Animal Services. This creates an official record, starts an investigation, and may uncover past aggression or leash law violations.
3. Document the Scene and Your Injuries
Take clear photos of your injuries, the scene, torn clothing, and if safe the dog. Keep medical bills, prescriptions, and receipts. Strong visual evidence helps prove liability and damages.
4. Collect Witness Information
Get names and contact details from anyone who saw the incident. Eyewitness statements can support your account and show the dog owner’s negligence.
5. Don’t Speak to Insurance Adjusters Alone
Insurers often move fast to offer low settlements before you know the full cost of your injuries. Do not sign anything or give a recorded statement without speaking to a lawyer.
6. Contact a Rochester Dog Bite Lawyer
The sooner you involve legal representation, the better your chances of preserving evidence, proving liability, and maximizing your compensation.
Why Stanley Law Offices Is the Right Choice for Your Dog Bite Case
Dog bite cases come with unique legal and medical complexities, especially under New York law. We’ve successfully handled these claims for decades across Rochester and Upstate NY, helping victims secure the compensation they need to move forward.
Here’s what injured clients trust us:
- 90+ Years of Combined Legal Experience: Our Rochester personal injury attorneys know New York’s dog bite liability laws and how insurers try to avoid paying. That insight helps us build strong, fact-based claims that hold up in negotiations and court.
- No Fee Unless We Win: You owe nothing up front. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. This contingency fee model lets you focus on healing without financial risk.
- We Come to You: Whether you’re recovering at home or in a hospital bed, we make legal help easy. Choose a virtual consultation, home visit, or in-person meeting, whatever’s most convenient for you.
- Deep Local Knowledge: We know the leash laws, court systems, and local procedures across Monroe County and its towns. That means faster case handling and fewer surprises.
Get a Rochester Dog Bite Lawyer on Your Side – No Fee Unless We Win
We’ll review your case, explain your options, and take immediate legal action – all at no upfront cost.
- Free consultation
- No fee unless we win
- We come to you – virtually or in person
Fill out our contact form today and get the trusted legal team that fights for MAXIMUM Awards.
