According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were over 22,000 dog bite claims in the United States in 2024. Needless to say, dog bite incidents are alarmingly common, often resulting in severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, substantial medical bills, and loss of income. Many victims are unaware of the true value of their claim, which can result in settlements that are significantly lower than they’re entitled to. Understanding New York’s dog bite laws, the intricacies of liability, such as strict liability and negligence, and the critical steps in building a strong legal case can significantly impact your ability to secure fair compensation. That’s why finding the best dog bite personal injury lawyer quickly is essential.
At Matera & Manley, LLP, attorneys Michaelangelo Matera and Jonathan B. Manley offer expert legal support for victims of dog bite incidents in Long Island, empowering you to protect your rights and secure the justice you deserve.
Understanding New York State Dog Bite Laws
New York has specific laws governing dog bite incidents and compensation, focusing primarily on two principles: strict liability and negligence.
Strict Liability
In New York State, dog owners are “strictly liable” for medical expenses resulting from a bite. Strict liability means victims don’t have to prove the dog owner was negligent to be compensated for medical care to treat the dog bite injury. Simply put, if a dog bites, the owner is responsible for the medical costs.
Negligence
To recover damages beyond medical expenses, such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and emotional distress, victims must generally prove negligence. Before 2025, New York law required victims to show that the owner knew or should have known that their dog had dangerous tendencies and failed to act reasonably. Examples of negligence include. Negligence could be established by evidence such as:
- The dog previously bit or attacked someone.
- The dog exhibited aggressive behavior towards other people or animals without provocation. This includes growling, snapping, snarling, and lunging.
- The owner restrained the dog in a particular way or kept it muzzled, indicating awareness of dangerous behavior.
- The owner kept the dog as a guard dog.
However, in April 2025, the New York Court of Appeals expanded the scope of liability in dog bite cases through the landmark decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow. This ruling allows victims to pursue negligence claims even if the dog had no prior history of aggression, as long as the owner failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the attack.
In other words, a victim can now bring a negligence claim against a pet owner if the owner failed to act with reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm, even if there was no prior evidence of the animal’s dangerousness.
Overall, proving negligence can be a challenging endeavor. Hiring an experienced dog bite personal injury lawyer like those at Matera & Manley, LLP, ensures that victims have skilled professionals fighting on their behalf every step of the way.
Common Defenses Used in Dog Bite Personal Injury Cases
Understanding the common defenses for dog attacks can help your lawyer build a stronger case:
- Provocation: Claiming the victim provoked the dog
- Trespassing: Arguing that the victim was unlawfully on the dog owner’s property
- Defense of owner: Asserting the dog was protecting its owner or its home from a perceived threat
- No failure of reasonable care: Arguing that
- Assumption of risk: Suggesting that the victim knowingly engaged in risky or dangerous behavior around the dog
Having an attorney familiar with these defenses on your side significantly increases your chances of overcoming them and securing fair compensation.
Why Matera & Manley, LLP Are the Best Dog Bite Personal Injury Lawyers
Choosing the right legal representation is key when a dog has injured you. At Matera & Manley, LLP, our attorneys combine their unique professional backgrounds with local expertise to deliver exceptional results for victims across Long Island.
Founding partners Michaelangelo Matera and Jonathan B. Manley bring decades of experience as former prosecutors: Matera with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office and Manley with Suffolk County. Their backgrounds in handling complex criminal cases give them a powerful edge when building personal injury claims. They know how to anticipate and dismantle the defense’s strategy, ensuring your case is as strong as possible from the start.
As lifelong Long Islanders, they have a deep understanding of the Hauppauge legal landscape, including local courts, judges, and jury expectations. This knowledge often gives them a significant advantage in personal injury litigation. Their roots in the community foster a commitment to compassionate, client-focused representation.
At Matera & Manley, LLP, we take a hands-on approach to every dog bite case. We:
- Thoroughly investigate the attack and gather all critical evidence
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies or the animal’s owner to maximize your compensation
- Prepare every case for trial to ensure the strongest possible position
- Apply our prosecutorial skills to outmaneuver opposing counsel
If you or a loved one has suffered from a dog bite, trust a dog bite personal injury lawyer who knows how to fight (and win!) in Hauppauge and across Long Island.
Take the Next Step With a Dog Bite Personal Injury Lawyer
Suffering a dog bite is traumatic enough without worrying about legal battles. Choosing the right dog bite personal injury lawyer means having a strong advocate in your corner. Matera & Manley, LLP, offers experienced and compassionate representation tailored specifically to your needs.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog in Long Island, NY, don’t wait to seek justice. Schedule a free case consultation with our attorneys today and let us help you fight for the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
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