Stanley Law Offices provides experienced dog bite attorney services for injured victims and families in Syracuse, New York, and the surrounding areas of Onondaga County.
Our Syracuse dog bite lawyer represents victims injured in a wide range of situations, including attacks in apartment complexes, child bites at private homes, off-leash incidents in public parks, and delivery-related dog attacks. Each matter is assessed based on how the incident occurred, who may be legally responsible, and what insurance coverage may be available.
Our team investigates the circumstances of the attack, identifies potentially liable parties, manages insurance communications, establishes liability under New York law, and pursues compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other injury-related damages.
If you have questions about your rights after a dog bite or need guidance on your legal options, contact Stanley Law Offices to request a free consultation. You can also visit our attorneys at the Syracuse office (215 Burnet Ave., Syracuse, NY 13203)
Bitten by a Dog in Syracuse? Here’s What to Do Immediately
The steps you take after a dog bite can affect your medical care, insurance coverage, and legal options.
After a dog attack in Syracuse, consider taking the following steps:
- Seek medical care: Get treatment as soon as possible to address wound care, infection risk, and proper documentation of your injuries.
- Identify the dog and owner: If possible, obtain the dog owner’s name, contact information, and address.
- Report the bite to local authorities: Notify Animal Control and the local health department so the incident is officially documented, the dog’s history is recorded, and any required quarantine (temporary monitoring of the dog for signs of rabies or illness) is initiated.
- Document the scene: Take photos of your injuries, the dog, and the location where the bite occurred.
- Get legal guidance before speaking with insurance: Insurance representatives may contact you quickly. Speaking with a dog bite attorney first can help you avoid statements that may later affect your claim.
If you are unsure which steps apply to your situation, our Syracuse personal injury lawyer can help explain what to do next and how to protect your rights.
Common Dog Bite Situations We See in Syracuse
Dog bites often occur during routine, everyday activities. Many incidents happen without warning and involve dogs that victims have seen before. Some of the most common situations we see in Syracuse dog bite cases include:
- Apartment complexes and rental properties: Bites in shared hallways, stairwells, parking areas, or common outdoor spaces where dogs are not properly restrained or supervised.
- Child bites at private homes: Injuries to children while visiting friends, neighbors, or relatives, including bites from family pets or dogs with no prior bite history.
- Off-leash incidents in public areas: Attacks on sidewalks, neighborhood streets, parks, or trails where dogs are not leashed or under effective control.
- Delivery and service worker attacks: Bites involving mail carriers, food delivery drivers, utility workers, or contractors entering a property for work purposes.
- Attacks by dogs with known aggressive behavior: Incidents involving dogs with prior complaints, past bite reports, or warning signs that owners failed to address.
- Neighborhood and yard-related bites: Dogs that escape yards, slip through gates, or break free from fences and bite pedestrians or nearby residents.
Who Can Be Held Legally Responsible?
New York law may allow more than one person or entity to be held legally responsible for a dog bite, depending on how the incident occurred and who had control over the dog or property at the time.
Common parties that may be liable include:
- Dog owners: Owners are often responsible when they fail to properly control or restrain their dog or ignore signs of dangerous behavior.
- Property owners: When a bite occurs on private property, the property owner may be responsible if they knew a dangerous dog was present and did not take reasonable steps to prevent an attack.
- Landlords: In rental situations, a landlord may share responsibility if they were aware of a tenant’s dangerous dog and had the ability to require its removal or impose restrictions.
- Dog sitters, walkers, or handlers: Anyone who had custody or control of the dog at the time of the incident may be responsible if they failed to manage the dog safely.
Responsibility depends on the facts. A free consultation can help determine whether any parties may be legally responsible.
How We Investigate Dog Bite Cases in Syracuse
A dog bite claim depends on clear facts and reliable documentation. We assist injured individuals by examining how the attack occurred, identifying who may be responsible, and gathering the information needed to support a claim under New York law.
Here’s how we build your case:
- Review the scene: Examine the location of the bite for factors such as broken gates, unsecured fencing, leash conditions, or other safety issues.
- Speak with witnesses: Contact neighbors, bystanders, or others who observed the incident or had prior knowledge of the dog’s behavior.
- Examine the dog’s history: Review prior complaints, bite reports, or records maintained by Animal Control or the local health department.
- Collect medical records: Obtain documentation related to emergency care, follow-up treatment, and the extent of the injury.
- Identify insurance coverage: Determine whether homeowners, renters, or umbrella insurance policies may apply to the incident.
- Apply New York law: Analyze whether local leash requirements, owner responsibility standards, or prior knowledge of dangerous behavior may affect liability.
What Injuries Can Result From a Dog Bite?
Dog bites can cause more than visible wounds. Injuries may involve lasting physical damage, infection, or psychological effects, depending on the severity of the attack and the area of the body affected.
Common injuries seen in dog bite cases include:
- Lacerations and puncture wounds: Deep bites often require stitches, wound care, or surgical treatment to reduce the risk of infection.
- Facial and eye injuries: Bites to the face can result in permanent scarring or vision damage, particularly when children are involved.
- Infections: Dog bites can lead to serious infections, including cellulitis, and may require follow-up care related to rabies exposure concerns.
- Nerve damage and muscle injury: Bites to the hands, arms, or legs may affect movement or sensation and, in some cases, cause long-term impairment.
- Psychological injuries: Some individuals experience anxiety, fear of dogs, sleep disturbances, or other emotional effects following an attack.
- Ongoing medical treatment: Recovery may involve physical therapy, scar management, or reconstructive procedures over time.
The nature and extent of the injury often affect the type of medical care required and the scope of a potential claim.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Syracuse Dog Bite Claim?
Under New York law, individuals injured in a dog bite may be able to seek compensation for both financial losses and non-economic harm. The types of damages available depend on the severity of the injury and how it affects daily life.
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages address measurable financial losses related to the injury, such as:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospital care.
- Surgery and follow-up medical visits.
- Medication, wound care, and rehabilitation.
- Lost income from time missed at work.
- Future medical needs related to the injury.
- Reduced earning capacity when injuries affect long-term work ability.
2. Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages account for the personal impact of the injury, including:
- Physical pain and discomfort.
- Emotional distress, anxiety, or fear related to dogs.
- Facial scarring or permanent disfigurement.
- Loss of enjoyment of daily activities.
- Changes in social interactions or quality of life.
3. Punitive Damages
In limited circumstances, punitive damages may be considered when a dog owner’s conduct shows a high degree of disregard for safety, such as knowingly allowing a dangerous dog to roam freely despite prior incidents. These damages are not available in most cases and depend on the specific facts involved.
The damages available in a dog bite claim depend on medical evidence, the extent of the injury, and how the injury affects daily living and future needs.
New York Dog Bite Laws and Liability Standards
New York dog bite cases are governed by two primary legal rules. Which rule applies affects the type of damages available and what must be proven.
One Bite Rule and Vicious Propensities
New York follows what is commonly called the one bite rule, which focuses on whether a dog had vicious propensities and whether the owner knew or should have known about them. A dog does not need to bite someone before to be considered dangerous.
Vicious propensities may include:
- Prior bite or attack incidents
- Growling, lunging, snapping, or attempting to attack
- Repeated aggressive behavior toward people or other animals
- Prior complaints or reports to Animal Control or law enforcement
- Use of warning signs, restraints, or muzzles indicating awareness of risk
When vicious propensities and owner knowledge are shown, an injured person may seek damages such as pain and suffering, scarring, or emotional distress.
H3: Strict Liability for Medical Costs
Separately, New York law allows dog bite victims to recover medical expenses caused by a bite without proving vicious propensities. This applies even if the dog had no prior history of aggression.
Medical costs may include emergency care, follow-up treatment, medication, and other injury-related healthcare expenses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
In New York, dog bite claims are generally subject to a three-year statute of limitations, which means a lawsuit must usually be filed within three years from the date of the bite.
When the injured person is a minor, the deadline is typically paused until the child turns 18, and the three-year filing period begins at that time.
Missing the applicable deadline can prevent a claim from moving forward, regardless of the severity of the injury. Taking action earlier can help preserve evidence, document injuries accurately, and address insurance issues before important details are lost.
How Dog Bite Claims Are Typically Paid and Why Disputes Arise
Most dog bite claims are paid through homeowners or renters insurance, rather than directly by the dog owner. These policies often provide coverage for medical expenses and, in some cases, additional damages related to the injury.
Disputes can arise when insurers question how the bite occurred, who had control over the dog, whether coverage applies, or the extent of the injuries claimed. Insurance companies may also review prior reports involving the dog, policy limits, and statements made shortly after the incident.
The team at Stanley Law is available to explain these issues clearly.
Why Choose Stanley Law Offices for Your Dog Bite Case?
Dog bite cases often involve medical concerns, insurance questions, and uncertainty about next steps. Stanley Law Offices, handles these matters with an emphasis on careful preparation, clear communication, and thorough case review.
- Contingency fee representation: Legal fees are handled on a contingency basis, which means fees are only collected if compensation is recovered.
- Experience-informed case preparation: With more than 90 years of combined legal experience, each matter follows a structured process to evaluate liability, gather evidence, and address insurance coverage under New York law.
- Local knowledge: With offices serving Syracuse and surrounding communities, our team is familiar with local courts, procedures, and agencies involved in dog bite claims.
- Team-based support: Cases are supported by attorneys, paralegals, and legal staff who assist with investigation, documentation, and communication throughout the process.
- Clear communication: We focus on keeping individuals informed about their case, expected steps, and legal considerations as the matter progresses.
Contact Our Syracuse Dog Bite Attorneys Today
If you were injured in a dog bite, speaking with a lawyer can help you understand your rights and legal options under New York law. A brief conversation may clarify next steps and address questions about insurance or liability.
Contact us to request a free consultation to discuss what happened. There is no obligation to proceed.
