This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Ruben Davidoff following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Ruben Davidoff ,the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a New York personal injury attorney.
When a tenant's dog attacks you on a rental property or in a building, the experience can be shocking and painful. In many cases, the property owner or landlord may share legal responsibility. At Davidoff Law, we help dog bite victims hold negligent Queens landlords accountable when they fail to prevent dangerous dogs from harming tenants or visitors.
We understand the emotional trauma, serious injuries, and medical costs that follow a dog bite incident. Our experienced Queens landlord liability dog bite lawyer works to recover compensation for medical bills, ongoing treatment, lost wages, and the emotional distress caused by these painful injuries.
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Our Queens Landlord Liability Dog Bite Lawyer Fights for Your Rights
We specialize in helping dog bite victims take action when a property owner’s negligence contributes to a dog bite attack. Our Queens landlord liability dog bite lawyer investigates the property, the tenant’s dog, and any prior complaints to prove the landlord knew or should have known about the dog’s aggressive behavior.
We focus on:
- Gathering evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and animal control reports.
- Evaluating the dog’s aggressive tendencies and the property owner’s failure to act.
- Documenting serious injuries, including broken bones, soft tissue injuries, or disfiguring injuries that may require reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.
- Negotiating with insurance companies to secure fair compensation for medical treatment, ongoing care, and emotional trauma.
We pursue compensation under New York law and New York dog bite laws, including the strict liability rules and the one bite rule when applicable. Our legal team ensures that negligent owners and landlords are held liable and that victims seek compensation for both physical pain and psychological trauma.
We provide compassionate representation while aggressively pursuing a fair settlement for your personal injury lawsuit. Schedule a free consultation with our law offices to start your case.
When is a Landlord Liable for a Tenant’s Dog Bite in Queens?
Landlord liability is not automatic when a tenant’s dog bites someone. It depends on specific factors that we must prove. As experienced dog bite attorneys at Davidoff Law, we carefully examine each Queens dog bite case to see if the property owner or landlord can be held accountable. A landlord may share responsibility if they knew about the dog’s threatening behavior, failed to act, or violated local laws.
We help dog bite victims recover compensation for medical expenses, reconstructive surgery, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other damages. Immediate medical attention is critical, and we work with victims to document every injury and gather evidence for a strong dog bite claim.
The Landlord’s Knowledge of a Dangerous Dog (Actual vs. Constructive Notice)
We investigate whether the landlord knew or should have known about the tenant’s dog. Actual notice occurs when the landlord is directly informed of the dog’s aggressive behavior. Constructive notice exists when a reasonable person in the landlord’s position would have recognized the risk even without being told. This step is key to holding negligent dog owners and property owners accountable.
The Landlord’s Ability to Remove the Danger (Right to Control the Tenant)
We evaluate whether the landlord had the power to control the tenant or remove the dangerous dog. If the landlord could enforce rules, hire a dog walker, or restrict pets but failed to act, they may share liability in the dog bite case.
Violations of Lease Agreements or Local Laws (Breed Restrictions, etc.)
Some landlords violate New York City laws or lease agreements. They may allow banned dogs, ignore rules for pet sitting or farm animals, or fail to enforce containment for aggressive animals. Such violations strengthen your dog bite claim and help us hold the landlord accountable for serious injuries.
Attacks in Common Areas Due to Negligent Security
If a dog bite occurs in hallways, lobbies, or shared yards, the landlord may be liable for failing to provide safe access. We document security lapses and show how these failures contributed to the dog bite injury.
Proving Landlord Negligence in Your Dog Bite Case
Building a strong dog bite case requires proof that the landlord failed their duty of care. We gather evidence that shows the landlord could have prevented the attack and should be held strictly liable for damages. Our Queens dog bite lawyers focus on every detail to maximize financial recovery for victims. We help clients cover medical expenses, cosmetic or reconstructive surgery, ongoing treatment, and emotional trauma caused by the incident.
Gathering Evidence of Prior Complaints and Incidents
We collect reports of previous dog attacks, tenant complaints about aggressive behavior, and animal control records involving other animals. This evidence proves the landlord knew or should have known about the danger.
Reviewing Lease Agreements and Property Management Policies
We examine leases and property rules to see if the landlord violated any restrictions on dog ownership, policies for pet supervision, or rules meant to protect tenants. Violations make the landlord negligent and responsible for your dog bite injury.
Investigating the Landlord’s Response to Previous Warnings
We look at how the landlord reacted to prior warnings or incidents. Did they take immediate action or ignore the risk? Were tenants or dog owners held accountable? By proving the landlord failed to act reasonably, we strengthen your dog bite claim and increase the chance of fair compensation for medical bills, physical injuries, and psychological trauma.
Compensation Available in Landlord Dog Bite Claims
Holding a landlord liable can be crucial in a dog bite case. Landlords often have deeper insurance coverage than tenants, which can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. At Davidoff Law, we work to ensure negligent dog owners are accountable and that victims of dog injury cases receive the compensation they deserve. We fight for victims who require cosmetic surgery or ongoing medical treatment due to severe dog bite injuries.
- Medical Expenses and Future Treatment Costs – We help cover immediate medical attention, reconstructive surgery, and ongoing treatment. Medical records document the physical injuries and ensure both landlord and tenant share the same liability if needed.
- Lost Income and Pain and Suffering – Dog bites can prevent work and daily activities. We calculate lost wages, physical pain, and emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, to ensure financial recovery.
- Scarring and Emotional Trauma – Serious injuries can leave lasting scars or require cosmetic surgery. We fight for compensation for disfigurement, psychological trauma, and emotional distress, making sure liability is determined fairly.
Why Choose Davidoff Law for Your Landlord Liability Claim?
Landlord dog bite claims are complex because multiple parties may share responsibility. At Davidoff Law, we provide strategic legal representation and fight to hold negligent owners and landlords accountable. Our goal is to recover fair compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma while you focus on healing.
- Investigating Property Owners and Management Companies – We gather evidence from landlords, management, and pet owners. This includes prior complaints, lease agreements, and witness statements to prove negligence.
- Negotiating with Large Insurance Carriers – Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Our personal injury attorneys have experience negotiating fair settlements for dog bite victims and dog injury cases.
- Maximizing Recovery from All Sources – We ensure negligent dog owners and landlords share the same liability. Our team fights to recover medical expenses, cosmetic surgery, lost income, and emotional trauma while providing strong legal representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue my landlord if another tenant's dog bites me?
Yes. We can help hold the landlord accountable if they failed to prevent the attack, and a negligent dog owner is responsible.
How can I prove the landlord knew the dog was dangerous?
We gather evidence like prior complaints, witness statements, and lease agreements to show that liability is determined based on their knowledge.
What if the attack happened in my apartment building's hallway?
The landlord may share responsibility for common areas. We ensure the negligent dog owner and landlord are both held liable.
Does the landlord's insurance cover dog bite injuries?
Often it does. We work with insurance companies to recover compensation for medical bills, ongoing treatment, and emotional trauma.
What is the time limit to sue a landlord for a dog bite?
New York law sets strict deadlines. We act quickly to protect your rights and make sure liability is determined.
What if the landlord says the dog wasn't theirs?
We investigate all parties. Even if the dog belongs to a tenant, the landlord can still be held liable if they were negligent.
Contact Our Queens Landlord Dog Bite Liability Lawyers Now
Dog bite cases are time-sensitive. We act fast to gather evidence, hold the negligent dog owner accountable, and determine if the landlord shares liability for your injuries. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and explain your legal options. You do not pay any fees unless you recover compensation.
Our experienced dog bite lawyer fights to recover medical expenses, lost wages, emotional trauma, and other damages. We provide immediate legal representation so you can focus on healing while we handle the legal work. Call us now to start your claim and have liability determined.
