Bronx Dog Bite Lawyer

When a dog’s teeth break your skin, the physical wounds are just the beginning. Medical bills pile up while you’re missing work. Insurance adjusters start calling with lowball offers. And you’re left wondering who will pay for the damage to your body and your peace of mind.

New York law holds dog owners accountable when their animals attack. But getting fair compensation requires understanding the specific rules around dangerous dogs, vicious propensities, and owner liability. The insurance company defending the owner has one job: to protect its bottom line. You need someone fighting just as hard for your recovery.

We at Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers have helped dog bite victims all over the Bronx get the money they deserve. Our team knows these cases inside and out, from proving the owner knew their dog was dangerous to determining how much your injuries really cost.

We can help you in any language, including English, Spanish, Greek, French-Creole, or Korean. And we’re here for you 24/7 because we know that these things don’t wait for business hours. For a free consultation, call (718) 249-7447 right now.

Bitten in the Bronx? Speak With a Bronx Dog Bite Lawyer Today

A dog attack leaves you with painful wounds, rising medical bills, and no idea what will happen next. You have to deal with insurance companies, lost wages, and the fear that it could happen again after the bite heals.

We at Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers stand with bite victims all over the Bronx. A team at our White Plains Road office works hard to protect your rights. We offer free consultations because everyone should know their legal options, no matter how much money they have.

Our team speaks Spanish, Greek, French-Creole, and Korean, and is available 24/7. When you hire a Bronx dog bite lawyer, you get more than just legal help. You get people who will fight for you until you get the justice you deserve.

Injured by a dog? Call (718) 249-7447 now or contact us online for your free consultation. We are here 24/7 to help.

How a Bronx Dog Bite Attorney Builds a Strong Case

Building a winning dog bite case requires immediate action and thorough investigation. We start by securing all medical records from your treatment, photographing your injuries, and collecting witness statements while memories are fresh.

Our investigation extends beyond the obvious. We obtain records from NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Animal Care Centers, and local police to uncover any history of aggressive behavior. Prior complaints or violations can be the key to proving the owner’s negligence.

As your Bronx dog bite attorney, we handle all insurance communications. These companies have one goal: paying you as little as possible. We know their tactics and won’t let them take advantage of you during your recovery. If negotiations fail, Chrissy Grigoropoulos is prepared to take your case to trial.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in the Bronx

What you do immediately after an attack can make or break your case. These steps protect both your health and your legal rights.

Get Medical Care and Document Everything

Seek emergency medical treatment even if the bite seems minor. Dog mouths contain dangerous bacteria that can cause serious infections. Visit Jacobi Medical Center, Montefiore Medical Center, or another local emergency room immediately.

Before cleaning your wounds, take clear photographs from multiple angles. These images serve as crucial evidence of the severity of your injuries.

Report the Incident to NYC Authorities

Call 311 to report the dog bite to the NYC Health Department. This creates an official record that becomes vital evidence in your case. The city may also investigate the dog’s vaccination status and history.

Collect Evidence and Witness Information

If anyone witnessed the attack, get their contact information immediately. People move, and memories fade quickly. Take photos of the location, any torn clothing, and anything else that shows what happened.

Avoid Insurance Company Tricks

The dog owner’s insurance company may contact you asking for a recorded statement or medical records. Don’t provide anything without speaking to a lawyer first. Their goal is to find reasons to deny your claim or reduce your payout.

Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer Quickly

Time is your enemy in dog bite cases. Evidence disappears, witnesses become unavailable, and your memory of events can fade. An experienced attorney can preserve critical information and begin building your case immediately.

Do I Have a Dog Bite Case in New York?

Yes, you likely have a case if a dog attacked you without justification. New York law provides two paths to compensation, depending on the dog’s history and the owner’s knowledge.

Under New York’s dangerous dog statute, an owner whose dog has been adjudicated hazardous by a court is strictly liable for medical expenses resulting from injuries caused by that dog. This is called strict liability; you don’t need to prove the owner was careless.

For additional damages like pain and suffering, you must prove the dog had vicious propensities that the owner knew about or should have known about. Vicious propensity doesn’t require a previous bite; it can be shown through other aggressive behaviors.

Who Is Responsible for Paying After a Dog Bite: The Owner, The Handler, or The Landlord?

Most of the time, a dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy will cover injuries caused by a dog bite. But more than one person may be responsible for your attack, and finding all of them is important for getting the most money.

Other people who might be responsible are professional dog walkers who didn’t keep their dogs under control, boarding facilities that didn’t follow safety rules, and landlords who knew about a dangerous dog but didn’t do anything to protect tenants and visitors.

Need help identifying who’s liable? Call (718) 249-7447, we’ll investigate every angle.

When Landlords Are Liable for Tenant Dogs

Landlords can be held responsible when they have actual knowledge of a tenant’s dangerous dog and the power to remove it. This often applies to attacks in common areas like hallways, lobbies, courtyards, or shared outdoor spaces.

If the lease prohibited dangerous animals and the landlord failed to enforce the rule, the landlord and the tenant may share liability. We examine lease agreements, complaint records, and witness statements to build a case against negligent property owners.

Workers Injured by Dogs: Beyond Workers’ Compensation

You can get workers’ compensation benefits if you were bitten while working as a mail carrier, delivery driver, home health aide, or contractor. These benefits pay for medical bills and some of your lost wages, but they don’t pay for pain and suffering.

You can also file a separate personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner for full damages. Our firm handles both claims simultaneously, ensuring you pursue every available source of compensation.

How Much Is My Bronx Dog Bite Case Worth?

Dog bite settlements in NYC vary widely based on the severity of injuries and the circumstances of the attack. Minor bites may settle for thousands of dollars, while severe attacks causing permanent scarring or disability can result in six-figure settlements.

Several factors determine your case value:

Injury severity:

Deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, and broken bones increase value.

Location of bites:

Facial scars and hand injuries typically result in higher settlements.

Victim’s age:

Children often receive larger awards due to lifelong scarring and trauma.

Medical costs:

Emergency treatment, surgeries, therapy, and future care needs.

Lost income:

Both immediate wage loss and reduced future earning capacity.

Emotional impact:

PTSD, anxiety, and fear of dogs following the attack.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite?

You can seek compensation for every way the attack has affected your life. These damages fall into two main categories that address both financial losses and personal suffering.

Economic Damages: Financial Recovery

The point of economic damages is to make up for the money you lost directly. This includes paying all past and future medical bills, ensuring emergency care, surgeries, and ongoing treatments are covered. We also want money to cover the costs of physical therapy and rehabilitation that you need to get better, as well as counseling to help you deal with the trauma of the attack.

Also, if you missed work, we work to get you back the money you lost and any other out-of-pocket costs you incurred because of your injury. This includes any lost wages and any other expenses you had to pay because of your injury.

Non-Economic and Wrongful Death Damages

Non-economic damages make up for the severe losses you suffer that can’t be measured in money. You can get money for both physical and emotional pain, as well as cash for permanent scars and disfigurement, which can have long-lasting effects on your mental health.

We also fight for damages for PTSD and mental pain, the loss of enjoyment of life activities, and the damage to your personal relationships. If a dog attack kills a loved one, we can file a wrongful death claim to get money for funeral costs, loss of financial support, and the deep emotional toll it takes on the family members who are still alive.

Common Dog Bite Injuries We Handle

Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor puncture wounds to life-threatening trauma. The severity often depends on the dog’s size, the location of the bite, and how long the attack lasted.

Facial injuries are severe because they often result in permanent scarring and nerve damage. Children are especially vulnerable to head and neck injuries due to their height relative to most dogs.

Puncture wounds:

Deep tissue damage with high infection risk.

Lacerations:

Tears requiring stitches or reconstructive surgery.

Nerve damage:

Loss of sensation or function in affected areas.

Broken bones:

Fractures from the dog’s bite force or being knocked down.

Infections:

Dangerous bacteria from the dog’s mouth enter wounds.

Psychological trauma:

PTSD, anxiety, and lasting fear of animals.

Suffering from severe dog bite injuries? Get your free case evaluation at (718) 249-7447.

Can You Recover If You’re Accused of Provoking the Dog?

Yes, you can still recover compensation even if the dog owner claims you provoked the attack. New York follows a comparative negligence rule that reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault, but doesn’t eliminate it.

For example, if you’re found 20% at fault for reaching toward the dog, you can still recover 80% of your total damages. Insurance companies often use provocation claims to reduce payouts, but we fight back against unfair blame.

Common provocation defenses include claims that you teased the dog, entered the owner’s property illegally, or ignored warning signs. We gather evidence to show these claims are false or exaggerated.

What Is New York’s Dog Bite Law?

New York uses a mixed approach to dog bite liability that can be confusing for victims. The law provides different standards depending on whether you’re seeking medical expenses only or full damages, including pain and suffering.

Claim Type	Legal Standard	What’s Covered
Dangerous Dog	Dog previously declared dangerous by court	Medical and veterinary bills only
Vicious Propensity	Owner knew dog had aggressive tendencies	All damages including pain and suffering

Under the dangerous dog statute, owners are strictly liable for medical costs if their dog was previously designated as a dangerous dog. For broader compensation, you must prove the owner knew or should have known about the dog’s vicious propensities through prior incidents.

NYC also has strict leash laws requiring dogs to be restrained in public areas. Violations of these ordinances can be robust evidence of owner negligence in your case.

How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in NY?

In New York, you have three years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit for personal injury. The statute of limitations is a strict deadline. If you miss it, you will never be able to get paid.

However, waiting until the deadline approaches is a mistake. Evidence disappears, witnesses move away, and memories fade over time. The sooner you contact a Bronx animal attack lawyer, the stronger your case will be.

Special rules may apply if a government entity owns the dog or the property where the attack occurred. These cases often require much shorter notice periods, making immediate legal consultation even more critical.

Why Choose Grigor Law for Your Bronx Dog Bite Claim?

Choosing the proper legal representation can determine whether you receive fair compensation or settle for far less than you deserve. At Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we combine aggressive advocacy with compassionate client care to ensure your rights are protected.

Unmatched Availability and Communication

Legal emergencies do not follow standard business hours, which is why our team maintains 24/7 availability to support you whenever you need us.

To better serve the diverse Bronx community, we provide comprehensive multilingual service, communicating fluently in Spanish, Greek, French-Creole, and Korean to ensure you fully understand every aspect of your case without language barriers.

Local Expertise and Proven Results

Our physical presence in the community matters. Our local knowledge of Bronx courts and insurance practices gives us a strategic advantage in handling your claim.

Attorney Chrissy Grigoropoulos has built a reputation for fierce courtroom advocacy. When insurance companies see our name attached to your case, they know they are dealing with serious legal professionals who do not back down.

Financial Peace of Mind

We believe justice should be accessible to everyone. We work strictly on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to you. We only get paid when we successfully secure compensation for you. Our clients consistently reward this dedication with five-star reviews, trusting us to treat each case with the attention it deserves.

Our clients consistently give us five-star reviews because we treat each case with the attention and dedication it deserves. When insurance companies see our name on your case, they know they’re dealing with serious legal professionals.

Contact a Bronx Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Don’t let a dog attack derail your life or leave you struggling with medical bills and lost income. You have the right to hold negligent dog owners accountable for their animals’ actions.

At Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we provide free consultations to dog bite victims throughout the Bronx. During this meeting, we’ll evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and outline the compensation you may be entitled to receive.

You can get in touch with us by phone, through our website, or by coming to our Bronx office. We answer all questions quickly and never pressure you to hire us. Our track record and dedication to customer service speak for themselves.

Don’t wait; dog bite cases have strict time limits. Call Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at (718) 249-7447 today for your free consultation. We’ll fight for every dollar you deserve while you focus on healing.

Dog Bite Lawyer FAQs

How Much Does a Bronx Dog Bite Lawyer Cost?

Nothing upfront, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we successfully recover money for your case.

Can I Sue for a Dog Bite if the Dog Never Bit Anyone Before?

Yes, you can still pursue full damages if we can prove the owner knew about other aggressive behaviors that showed the dog’s dangerous nature.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Dog Bite Case in the Bronx?

Settlements vary widely based on injury severity, but they typically range from several thousand dollars for minor bites to hundreds of thousands for severe attacks with permanent scarring.

Is It Worth Hiring a Lawyer for a Small Dog Bite Scar?

Yes, even minor scars can have lasting impacts, especially on visible areas like the face or hands, and may be worth significant compensation.

Do I Need to Report Every Dog Bite in New York City?

Yes, you should always report dog bites by calling 311 to create an official record that strengthens your legal case.