A dog attack can leave you shaken, injured, and unsure what to do next. Whether you were bitten on a Queens sidewalk, in a neighborhood park, or in an apartment building's common area, you have legal rights under New York law — and those rights expanded significantly in 2025. Our Queens dog bite lawyers at The Orlow Firm have protected injured Queens residents since 1982, and we're here to help you understand your options and recover fair compensation.
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Premises Liability Cases have you handled?" loading="lazy" style="width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;border-radius:0.5rem;"/>What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys discuss the range of premises liability cases they handle in Queens, including dog bites and animal attacks, and explain how property owner responsibility applies to these cases.
New York's dog bite rules have never been simple. A landmark April 2025 ruling from the state's highest court made it even more important to know what rights you actually have.
For most of the past two decades, injured New Yorkers ran into a frustrating wall. Under the old Bard v. Jahnke decision, you could only recover full damages if you proved the dog's owner already knew the animal was dangerous. Critics called it the "first bite free" rule. Many valid cases were dismissed because the dog had no documented history of aggression.
On April 17, 2025, the New York Court of Appeals overturned Bard in Flanders v. Goodfellow. The court ruled that negligence is now an independent basis for dog bite liability. That means if a dog owner failed to take reasonable precautions — inadequate leashing, ignoring signs of aggression, or violating NYC's leash law — you may have a valid claim even if the dog had never bitten anyone before.
New York now uses a three-part liability framework:
Strict liability for medical costs — When a dog has been officially declared "dangerous" under New York Agriculture & Markets Law § 123, the owner is automatically responsible for all medical expenses from an attack, regardless of what precautions they took.
Knowledge-based liability — To recover non-medical damages like pain and suffering, you show the owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous tendencies. Evidence of prior growling, snapping, or biting establishes this knowledge.
Negligence (added by Flanders, 2025) — You can now pursue a negligence claim based on the owner's failure to use reasonable care, even without any prior bite history. A violation of NYC Health Code § 161.05 — which requires all dogs in New York City to be on a leash no longer than six feet in any public space — is strong evidence of negligence under this standard.
Owners do have defenses. A dog owner may not be liable if you provoked the animal, were trespassing, or if the dog was protecting the owner from criminal activity. Our attorneys can assess whether any of these defenses apply to your case.
Dog Bites in Queens: The Scope of the Problem
Queens consistently reports some of the highest dog bite numbers in New York City. Between 2015 and 2023, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene received nearly 30,000 self-reported dog bite reports citywide — an average of more than 3,300 per year, according to the DOHMH Dog Bite Dataset on NYC Open Data. In 2021, Queens accounted for roughly 30% of all reported bites across the five boroughs. Citywide, bite injury rates climbed 14% between 2018 and 2023.
Children take the hardest hits. Children under 14 account for 42% of emergency room-treated dog bites, and five-to-nine-year-old boys face the highest injury rates of any group. Bites to children often affect the face, head, and neck — areas that can require reconstructive surgery and leave permanent scars.
The financial toll is serious too. The average dog bite-related hospital stay costs more than $18,000, according to federal hospital data. In 2024, the average dog bite insurance claim in New York reached $110,488 — the highest of any state, according to insurance industry data.
Queens has particular risk factors. The borough's dense mix of apartment buildings, shared courtyards, pocket parks, and busy sidewalks means frequent contact between residents and their neighbors' dogs. Many Queens residents live in multi-family housing where dogs pass through common areas every day.
Dog bites can produce a wide range of injuries, and some are far more serious than the initial wound looks:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations — Deep punctures can damage underlying tissue and become infected even when they look minor
- Crush injuries — Dogs' jaws can fracture bones and cause internal damage that doesn't show on the surface
- Infections — Pasteurella bacteria, present in most dog mouths, can cause serious cellulitis within 24 hours; in severe cases, bites can lead to MRSA or sepsis
- Nerve damage — Deep bites can sever or compress nerves, causing permanent loss of sensation or movement
- Scarring and disfigurement — Facial scarring often requires multiple reconstructive surgeries and can cause lasting psychological harm
- Broken bones — Falls while trying to escape an attack can fracture wrists, hips, or ankles, especially in older adults
- Emotional trauma — PTSD, persistent fear of dogs, and anxiety are common — and compensable — after serious attacks
- Rabies exposure — When the dog's vaccination status is unknown, post-exposure treatment may be needed right away
Under NYC Health Code § 11.03, all dog bites must be reported to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene within 24 hours. You can report through 311, online, or by calling the DOHMH Animal Bite Unit.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Queens
Taking the right steps right after an attack protects your health and strengthens your claim:
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Get medical care immediately — Even a wound that looks minor can become seriously infected within hours. Pasteurella bacteria are present in virtually all dog saliva, and infection can spread fast. A visit to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Queens in Flushing, or Mount Sinai Queens also creates a medical record that documents your injuries from day one.
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Identify the dog and its owner — Get the owner's name, address, and phone number. Ask to see proof of the dog's current rabies vaccination. If the owner won't cooperate, note the dog's description and the names of any witnesses.
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Report the bite — New York City requires all animal bites to be reported to the DOHMH within 24 hours under NYC Health Code § 11.03. Report via 311, by phone to the DOHMH Animal Bite Unit, or online. If the owner refuses to cooperate or leaves the scene, file a report with the NYPD as well.
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Document everything — Photograph your injuries the day of the attack and keep photographing over the following days and weeks as bruising, swelling, and infection develop. Take photos of the location, including any visible "no leash" or "beware of dog" signs — or the absence of them. Collect contact info from any witnesses.
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Don't speak to insurance companies alone — Most dog bites are covered by the owner's homeowners or renters insurance. Before giving any recorded statement, talk to a Queens dog bite attorney first. Insurance adjusters know how to minimize claims, and an early statement can hurt your recovery.
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Contact a Queens dog bite lawyer — The sooner our firm gets involved, the better we can preserve evidence, identify all liable parties, and build your case. If your injuries make it hard to travel, we can come to you.
Call (646) 647-3398 — the consultation is free, and we work on contingency, so there is no cost unless we recover compensation for you.
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6 Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Queens:
- Get Medical Care — Go immediately — even minor wounds can get infected fast
- Identify the Owner — Get name, address, phone, and rabies vaccination proof
- Report the Bite — File with DOHMH within 24 hours (required by NYC law)
- Document Everything — Photograph injuries, the location, and gather witness info
- Don't Talk to Insurers — Decline recorded statements until you have legal advice
- Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer — The sooner we get involved, the better we preserve evidence
Key Facts:
- 3 Years — Statute of limitations for adults to file a dog bite claim
- 90 Days — Notice of Claim deadline if a government entity is involved
- 24 Hours — NYC deadline to report a dog bite to the DOHMH (§ 11.03)
Free Consultation — Call (646) 647-3398 — No Fee Unless We Win
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in Queens?
Many people assume the dog's owner is the only person who can be held responsible. In Queens, that's often not true. A knowledgeable Queens dog bite attorney will look at every party who had control or prior knowledge.
The dog's owner is the primary responsible party in almost every case. Under New York Agriculture & Markets Law § 123 and the post-Flanders negligence standard, owners bear significant responsibility for controlling their animals.
Landlords and property owners face particular exposure in Queens, where a large share of residents live in multi-family apartment buildings. If a landlord knew — or had reason to know — that a tenant kept a dangerous dog on the property and did nothing about it, they may share liability for an attack. This applies to NYCHA housing as well as private landlords. Our firm has extensive experience going after property owners and management companies in premises liability cases.
Dog walkers and pet sitters who controlled the animal at the time of the attack may be personally liable. So may their employers, if the attack happened during their professional duties.
Building management companies that let a known-dangerous animal stay on the premises, or failed to enforce no-pet policies against a dog with documented aggressive behavior, may also bear responsibility.
New York Insurance Law § 3421 bars insurers from refusing homeowners coverage or raising premiums based solely on a dog's breed. That means most homeowners and renters policies cover dog bite claims regardless of breed.
Finding every potentially liable party matters. It may mean multiple insurance policies are in play to cover your losses. Our attorneys look carefully at who was in control and who had prior knowledge.
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Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in Queens:
- Dog's Owner — Primary liable party. Responsible under strict liability (known dangerous dog) or negligence (post-Flanders 2025 ruling).
- Landlord / Property Owner — May be liable if they knew a tenant kept a dangerous dog and failed to act. Applies to NYCHA and private buildings.
- Dog Walker / Pet Sitter — Personally liable if they controlled the dog during an attack. Their employer may also be responsible.
- Building Management — Liable if they allowed a known-aggressive dog to remain in the building or ignored no-pet policies.
Multiple liable parties = multiple insurance policies may apply to your recovery.
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys explain how fault and liability are determined in premises liability cases, including the factors courts examine when assessing whether a property owner or dog owner acted negligently.
Compensation for Queens Dog Bite Victims
What you can recover depends on the severity of your injuries, how they affect your daily life, and the evidence against the responsible party.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses:
- Medical expenses — emergency room care, hospitalization, surgery, antibiotics, wound care, and reconstructive or plastic surgery
- Future medical costs — ongoing treatment for infections, nerve damage rehabilitation, additional surgeries for scarring
- Lost wages — income you missed while recovering
- Lost earning capacity — if permanent nerve damage, scarring, or disfigurement affects your ability to work
- Rehabilitation costs — physical therapy and psychological counseling
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the human cost of the attack:
- Pain and suffering — the physical pain of the wounds and ongoing discomfort
- Emotional distress and PTSD — anxiety, nightmares, persistent fear of dogs
- Scarring and disfigurement — especially significant for facial injuries, which may require multiple surgeries
- Loss of enjoyment of life — when injuries keep you from activities you engaged in regularly
Punitive Damages
In rare cases — such as an owner who let a dog with a known attack history roam unrestrained — courts may award punitive damages to discourage similar conduct.
Under New York's prior law, strict liability only covered medical costs. Getting pain and suffering required proving the owner's prior knowledge of the dog's dangerousness. The Flanders v. Goodfellow ruling now lets you pursue full damages through a negligence claim, even for first-time attacks. That's a real change for injured New Yorkers.
The average dog bite insurance claim in New York reached $110,488 in 2024, according to insurance industry data. Your case value depends on your specific injuries, your medical treatment, and your financial losses. We evaluate every case on its own facts.
Premises Liability Results from The Orlow Firm
Dog bite cases rest on the same legal principles as other premises liability matters: a property owner's duty to keep their property safe and a responsible party's obligation to prevent foreseeable harm. Here are some results our firm has achieved in property owner negligence cases across Queens and New York City:
$2,875,000 — A legally blind man fell into an open elevator shaft and suffered severe back and heel injuries requiring multiple surgeries. Our attorneys established the building owner's liability for failing to maintain a safe premises.
$1,500,000 — A client fell on a badly damaged sidewalk and sustained back and ankle injuries requiring surgery. We proved the property owner's negligence in allowing the hazardous condition to persist.
$900,000 — An undocumented delivery worker was struck by falling facade bricks outside a Queens building, suffering neck injuries requiring surgery. We held the property owner accountable.
$700,000 — A client tripped on a poorly paved sidewalk and sustained a hip fracture requiring surgery. The property owner's failure to address the known hazard formed the basis of our claim.
$690,000 — A client tripped on a broken step inside a building and sustained back injuries requiring surgery. Building owner negligence was established through property inspection records.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Time Limits for Dog Bite Claims in Queens
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in New York?
Adults injured in a dog bite attack in New York have three years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline comes from New York's statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Miss it, and you lose your right to compensation — no matter how strong your case.
Important exceptions apply:
For children: Under CPLR § 208, the statute of limitations is paused until the child turns 18. A child bitten at age five has until age 21 to file suit. A parent or legal guardian may also file a claim on the child's behalf before they reach adulthood.
For government entities: If the attack involved a dog belonging to a city employee, a dog on NYCHA property, or any other government-connected situation, shorter deadlines apply. Under General Municipal Law § 50-e, a Notice of Claim must be filed within 90 days of the incident — not three years. Steven Orlow, our founding partner, served as Counsel to the County Executive of Queens County. He knows how municipal liability claims work. Do not assume the three-year window applies if any government entity may be involved.
For wrongful death: If a dog attack results in a fatality, the estate has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
Time matters for practical reasons too. Surveillance footage from apartment buildings and nearby businesses is typically overwritten within days or weeks. Witnesses' memories fade. DOHMH bite reports and building management records get harder to obtain over time. Contacting a Queens dog bite lawyer right away gives us the best chance to lock in the evidence.
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Dog Bite Claim Deadlines in New York:
- Adults (18+): 3 years from date of attack to file (CPLR § 214). After this, the deadline has passed and the claim is lost.
- Children (under 18): Statute of limitations is paused until the child turns 18, then 3 more years — filing deadline is age 21 (CPLR § 208).
- Government Entity Involved (NYCHA, city employees' dogs, municipal property): Must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the attack (GML § 50-e). Missing this deadline means the claim against the city is lost forever.
What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys explain the time limits that apply to premises liability cases in New York, including the shorter deadlines that apply when government entities or municipal properties are involved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Queens Dog Bite Cases
Does New York have a "one bite rule"?
New York uses a mixed approach. Historically, the state required proof the owner knew about a dog's prior dangerous behavior — the so-called "one bite free" rule. The April 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow Court of Appeals ruling now allows negligence claims even for first-time attacks. Strict liability for medical costs also applies when a dog has been formally declared "dangerous."
What if my child was bitten by a dog in Queens?
A parent or guardian may file a claim on the child's behalf right away. Under CPLR § 208, the statute of limitations is paused until the child's 18th birthday, giving them until age 21 to file independently. Children are most often bitten by familiar dogs. Face and head injuries are common in child attacks and may require plastic or reconstructive surgery.
What if the dog owner has no homeowners insurance?
You can still pursue a claim directly against the owner's personal assets. In many Queens dog bite cases, additional parties share liability — including landlords, building management companies, or dog walkers. These parties may have their own insurance coverage that applies to your claim.
What if I was partly at fault — or accused of provoking the dog?
Under New York's comparative negligence rule, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often push the provocation defense hard. Normal behavior that excites a dog does not count as legal provocation. If you weren't trespassing and didn't threaten or abuse the animal, your right to recover is likely intact. Our Queens dog bite attorneys examine these defenses closely.
Can I sue if the dog bit me in a Queens park or on the street?
Yes. Dog owners in New York City must keep their dogs on a leash no longer than six feet in all public spaces — parks, sidewalks, and building common areas — under NYC Health Code § 161.05. A leash law violation is strong evidence of negligence under the post-Flanders standard, regardless of whether the dog had a prior bite history.
How long does a dog bite case take to settle in New York?
It depends on injury severity, how clear the liability is, and whether the insurance company contests the claim. Straightforward cases may settle within months. Cases with serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple defendants often take one to two years — but those cases also tend to produce the highest recoveries. We keep clients updated throughout.
Sources & Official Resources
New York State Laws Cited
- NY Agriculture & Markets Law § 123 — Dangerous Dogs (Strict Liability for Medical Costs)
- NY Insurance Law § 3421 — Homeowners' Liability Insurance; Dogs (Breed Discrimination Ban)
- CPLR § 214 — Personal Injury Statute of Limitations (3 Years)
- CPLR § 208 — Infancy Toll (Statute of Limitations Paused Until Age 18)
- General Municipal Law § 50-e — Notice of Claim (90-Day Deadline)
NYC Laws Cited
- NYC Health Code § 161.05 — Dogs to Be Restrained (6-Foot Leash Rule)
- NYC Health Code § 11.03 — Animal Bite Reporting (24-Hour Requirement)
Statistics Sources
Helpful Resources
Contact a Queens Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If you or a family member was attacked by a dog in Queens, you don't have to deal with the insurance companies, property owners, or complex legal questions alone. At The Orlow Firm, our attorneys have represented premises liability cases throughout Flushing, Jackson Heights, Jamaica, Astoria, Corona, Elmhurst, Forest Hills, and all of Queens for over 40 years.
Adam Orlow, a former President of the Queens County Bar Association (2022–2023), leads our Queens personal injury practice with deep ties to the local legal community. Our founding partner Steven Orlow — a Cornell Law graduate and former Counsel to the County Executive of Queens County — brings over 40 years of experience to every case. You work directly with a partner, not a junior associate.
Our firm handles dog bite cases on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (646) 647-3398 for a free consultation. If your injuries keep you from coming to our Queens office at 71-18 Main Street in Flushing, we can come to you, or meet at our Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Bronx locations.
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What's in this video?
The Orlow Firm's attorneys explain what sets their approach apart — including their history in Queens, direct partner involvement, and focus on getting full compensation for every client.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
