Freeport Dog Bite Lawyer
Adrian Macias
At Malone Tauber & Sohn, P.C., our team of Freeport dog bite lawyers has decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured people and their families after animal bite accidents.
Dog bites often result in puncture wounds, lacerations, facial injuries, broken bones, nerve damage, infections, and even permanent scarring, all leading to significant medical expenses. Even with New York’s extensive dog license, leash, and vaccination requirements, bites can still occur in Freeport and have serious consequences.
We’ll work to hold the responsible parties accountable for your injuries and secure the full, fair compensation you deserve.
Why Choose MTS Injury Lawyers To Handle Your Dog Bite Case
MTS Injury Lawyers is an experienced personal injury firm in Freeport that handles dog bite cases. We have a proven track record of successful settlements and verdicts and have recovered more than $13 million in compensation for our clients. When you work with our legal team, you’ll get personalized, dedicated support and pay no fees unless we win your case.
Who May Be Responsible for a Dog Bite Injury?
In a Freeport dog bite injury, liability depends on who owned, controlled, harbored, or negligently handled the dog at the time of the bite. New York law allows victims of dog bites to pursue compensation under two legal theories: strict liability and negligence.
Under New York’s strict liability dog bite law, the dog’s owner is held liable if they knew or should have known about their dog’s vicious propensities, regardless of whether they were negligent or otherwise at fault for the attack.
In a negligence claim, victims can sue the owner, handler, or other liable party for negligence, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. To prove a negligence claim, you must show that the dog showed aggressive behavior, that the owner knew about the behavior, and that they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack.
Dog Owners and Others Who Controlled the Animal
Dog owners, caretakers, walkers, tenants, or others responsible for supervising or restraining the dog may be responsible for bite injuries.
Landlords, Property Owners, and Businesses
Property owners, landlords, pet boarding facilities, groomers, or businesses may be relevant depending on their knowledge, control, and role in the incident.
Dangerous Dogs and Prior Aggressive Behavior
Evidence of previous attacks, growling, lunging, biting, complaints, warnings, or restraint failures can be important in evaluating a claim. The law requires that a dog owner either know or should have known of their animal’s “vicious propensities” to be held strictly liable for the harm the animal causes.
Compensation Available After a Dog Bite in Freeport
After being bitten by a dog in Freeport, victims can seek to recover compensation for various financial and personal losses, including the following:
- Medical Expenses and Future Treatment: You generally can seek reimbursement for the costs of emergency care, stitches, plastic surgery, scar treatment, medication, therapy, rehabilitation, and future medical needs.
- Lost Income and Reduced Earning Capacity: Dog attacks may result in missed work, lost income, the inability to return to the same job, and future earning limitations.
- Pain, Suffering, Scarring, and Emotional Distress: Dog-bite claims may seek compensation for physical pain, permanent disfigurement, emotional harm, and diminished quality of life.
- Claims Involving Injured Children: For children attacked by dogs, facial scarring, trauma, future medical treatment, and long-term emotional effects can merit additional compensation.
Understanding Freeport Dog Bite Claims
Until recently, you had to prove that the owner knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious propensities, such as evidence of a prior bite, to succeed in a dog bite claim. Now, New York law also permits negligence-based claims in dog injury cases. Thus, even if the dog has never attacked anyone before, you may still have a case if you can prove the dog’s owner or keeper was negligent.
The New York Court of Appeals recognized this expanded approach in Flanders v. Goodfellow in April 2025. In that case, Rebecca Flanders, a postal carrier, was bitten by a dog owned by Stephen and Michelle Goodfellow while delivering a package. The trial court had dismissed Flanders’ negligence claim, holding that there is no common-law negligence liability when a domestic animal causes harm. However, the Court of Appeals overruled the lower court and reinstated the claim.
Under this ruling, New York now has a two-pronged approach to liability for harm caused by animals. If the owner knew or should have known the animal had “vicious propensities,” the plaintiff can hold them strictly liable. Otherwise, they can file a typical negligence claim. Owners and keepers can be held liable for failing to exercise reasonable care, such as by improperly handling the dog or keeping the animal on a leash.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Dog Bite Claim in Freeport?
In most Freeport personal injury cases, victims have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, don’t wait to pursue your claim. Evidence disappears quickly, so it’s important to speak with a Freeport dog bite lawyer to have the best chance of success.
Why Every Dog Bite Case Requires Individual Review
Every dog bite case in Freeport requires a thorough evaluation. Numerous factors, such as the parties involved, the location, the applicable insurance coverage, the severity of the injury, and the availability of evidence, can impact the case.
Speak With Our Freeport Dog Bite Lawyers Today
Dog bite injuries can seriously affect a victim’s health, confidence, finances, and family life. If you or a loved one were injured by a dog bite in Freeport, New York, Malone Tauber & Sohn can help. Your recovery is our priority.
Contact us online or call (516) 973-4098 for a free consultation.
Adrian Macias
- September 23, 2026
On This Page
- Why Choose MTS Injury Lawyers To Handle Your Dog Bite Case
- Who May Be Responsible for a Dog Bite Injury?
- Compensation Available After a Dog Bite in Freeport
- Understanding Freeport Dog Bite Claims
- What is the Statute of Limitations for a Dog Bite Claim in Freeport?
- Why Every Dog Bite Case Requires Individual Review
- Speak With Our Freeport Dog Bite Lawyers Today