Dog Bite Lawyer Rochester, NY

Were you or your child seriously injured by someone else’s dog in Rochester?

Plaintiff-focused attorneys helping dog bite and attack victims across Rochester, NY.

A dog attack can happen in an instant and leave lasting physical and emotional scars, especially for children. New York’s dog bite law changed significantly in 2025, expanding victims’ rights and making it easier to hold negligent owners accountable. A dog bite lawyer in Rochester, NY, at Jacobson Injury Firm identifies the responsible owner, works with their insurer, and pursues the full compensation a victim deserves for medical care, scarring, and trauma. Attorney Adam Jacobson, licensed in New York, prepares each claim as though a jury will decide it. Contact us for a free consultation to learn what your case may be worth.

Dog Bite Lawyer Rochester, NY

A dog bite claim is how an injured person recovers from the animal’s owner after an attack causes harm. Bites happen throughout Rochester in residential neighborhoods, parks, trails along the Genesee River, and on sidewalks and streets where dogs and people cross paths daily. The law governing these claims in New York changed significantly with the Court of Appeals’ April 2025 decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow, which expanded the paths available to victims. Matters that proceed to litigation are heard in the Monroe County Supreme Court, part of New York’s 7th Judicial District.

New York Dog Bite Law After Flanders v. Goodfellow (2025)

For decades, New York required dog bite victims to prove that the owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the dog’s vicious propensities, behaviors like growling, lunging, or prior biting that put the owner on notice the dog could cause harm. A 2006 ruling had also shut the door on ordinary negligence claims. In April 2025, the New York Court of Appeals changed both rules in Flanders v. Goodfellow. Two paths to recovery now exist:

• Strict liability. An owner who had actual or constructive knowledge of the dog’s vicious propensities is strictly liable for harm resulting from those propensities. Vicious propensities are not limited to prior bites; growling, snarling, lunging, and other threatening behavior can establish a propensity the owner knew or should have known about.
• Negligence (new as of 2025). Even without proof of vicious propensities, a victim can now pursue an ordinary negligence claim against an owner who failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling the dog or preventing the attack. This is the most significant change for victims, because it opens claims that previously would have been dismissed simply because the dog had not shown prior dangerous behavior.

The practical effect is that an owner whose dog attacks someone can no longer avoid liability solely because the dog had no prior history of aggression. The 2025 decision brought New York in line with most other states and the Restatement (Second) of Torts.

Common Injuries From Dog Attacks

Dog attacks cause distinctive and often severe injuries, and compensation must account for their full, lasting impact:

• Puncture wounds and lacerations. Deep bites that carry a high risk of infection and often require surgical repair.
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement. Particularly to the face, hands, and arms, sometimes requiring reconstructive surgery.
• Nerve and muscle damage. Lasting loss of function, especially in bites to the hands and limbs.
• Emotional trauma. Anxiety, fear of dogs, and post-traumatic stress, which are especially common in children.

Why Choose Jacobson Injury Firm as Your Dog Bite Lawyer in Rochester, NY?

Preparation Insurers Respect

Dog bite claims reward careful documentation of the owner’s knowledge and conduct. Adam Jacobson approaches each case with a litigation-driven mindset and readies every matter as though it will reach a courtroom. He earned his law degree from Florida International University College of Law and is admitted to practice in New York, Florida, Connecticut, and Illinois. His Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with a minor in Immunology proves especially useful when medical records and injury causation become central.

Direct, Personal Representation

Because many bite victims are children, these cases call for sensitivity as well as skill. Adam personally handles every case from the first phone call to final resolution, keeping families informed and supported. He has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across the area.

No Fee Unless We Win

Dog bite cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so there is no retainer and no hourly billing, and a fee is owed only if we recover for you. When an attack causes the most severe harm, we also handle Rochester wrongful death claims. For the full range of matters we handle, see our Rochester personal injury lawyer overview.

Understanding Damages and Fault Under New York Law

Compensation is meant to reflect the full scope of the harm. Recoverable damages may include emergency and surgical care, reconstructive surgery, treatment for infection, and future medical needs, along with lost wages for an injured adult. Victims may also recover for pain and suffering, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and the emotional and psychological effects of the attack. Most dog bite claims are paid through the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. New York’s pure comparative fault rule under CPLR § 1411 applies, so a defense of provocation may reduce but does not automatically eliminate a recovery.

Important Aspects of a Dog Bite Case

A few factors tend to shape how these claims unfold. Seeking prompt medical care matters for both health and the record, given the high infection risk from bites. Reporting the bite to animal control and the local authorities creates an official account and helps identify the dog and owner under Agriculture and Markets Law § 123. Preserving evidence such as photos of the injuries over time, the location, and witness information strengthens the claim. The CDC offers public health guidance on dog bite treatment and prevention.

The Dog Bite Case Timeline

Every claim runs on its own schedule, but most follow the same path. We investigate the attack, identify the owner and their insurance, and preserve the evidence. We follow your medical treatment, including any reconstructive care, so the claim reflects the full scope of the injuries. We then submit a demand and negotiate toward a fair settlement. If the insurer refuses a reasonable amount, we file suit in Monroe County and move into discovery. Finally, the case resolves through settlement or, when necessary, a jury trial.

Important New York Legal Resources

New York law sets the framework for these claims. Dog ownership rules and dangerous-dog adjudication appear in Agriculture and Markets Law § 123, the 2025 Flanders v. Goodfellow decision governs the two paths to liability, pure comparative fault under CPLR § 1411 applies to shared blame, and the statute of limitations under CPLR § 214 gives most claims three years.

Dog Bite Lawyer FAQs

Does the dog have to have bitten someone before for me to have a claim?

No longer. Following the New York Court of Appeals’ April 2025 decision in Flanders v. Goodfellow, victims can now pursue either a strict liability claim (if the owner knew or should have known of vicious propensities) or an ordinary negligence claim (if the owner failed to use reasonable care), regardless of prior bite history.

Who actually pays for a dog bite claim?

In most cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance pays the claim. You do not have to be adversarial toward a neighbor or friend, because the insurance is designed for exactly this situation.

What if the owner says my child provoked the dog?

Provocation is a defense that may reduce recovery under New York’s comparative fault rule, but it does not automatically defeat a claim. Young children are rarely found to have legally provoked an animal, and the specific facts of the attack are what decide the issue.

How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in New York?

Most claims must be filed within three years under CPLR § 214. Because injuries like infection and scarring can develop over time and evidence fades, it is best to speak with an attorney soon after the attack.

What does it cost to hire a dog bite lawyer?

Nothing upfront. Jacobson Injury Firm handles dog bite cases on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and the initial consultation is free.

Our Rochester Office

Jacobson Injury Firm serves injured clients throughout Rochester and Monroe County from our office at 1080 Pittsford-Victor Road, Pittsford, NY 14534. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can reach us at (585) 510-4349 to arrange a free consultation.

Contact Jacobson Injury Firm to Schedule a Consultation

If you or your child was injured by a dog in Rochester, you do not have to handle the insurance company alone. A Rochester dog bite lawyer at our firm can review what happened, identify the responsible owner’s coverage, and pursue the full compensation New York law allows. Consultations are free, and we work on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover for you. Contact Jacobson Injury Firm today to speak directly with Adam Jacobson.