Our Verdicts and Settlements
$2,500,000
Settlement at trial for negligent road design
$2,400,000
Settlement at trial for a construction worker
$1,750,000
For a student injured at school
$1,300,000
For a motorcyclist
$1,200,000
Verdict for Car Crash Victim
$1,000,000
For a motorcyclist
$950,000
For car crash victim
Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Amherst, NY
A dog owner in Amherst can be held strictly liable if the owner knew or should have known that the dog had vicious propensities. In April 2025, the New York Court of Appeals went further in Flanders v. Goodfellow, holding that an injured person can also bring an ordinary negligence claim against an owner who failed to use reasonable care, even without proof of vicious propensities.
Our dog bite attorneys represent Amherst residents and visitors in cases involving:
- Attacks in apartment complexes and rental communities
- Bites suffered by children in a neighbor’s yard or driveway
- Attacks along trails, town parks, and other public recreation areas
- Injuries caused by dogs left unattended or off-leash in violation of Amherst’s leash laws
- Bites involving landlords who knew about a tenant’s dog and had sufficient control over the premises to take reasonable measures
- Injuries at a boarding kennel, grooming salon, or doggy daycare facility where the facility’s own negligence may have contributed to the attack
- Attacks by dogs kept at a business, such as a guard dog at a commercial property
- Multiple-dog attacks and injuries from pack behavior
- Wrongful death claims arising from a fatal dog attack
A dog bite claim in New York may be based on strict liability, ordinary negligence, or both, depending on the circumstances. You do not necessarily need to show that the dog has bitten someone before. What matters is whether the facts establish a legally actionable basis for holding someone responsible for your injuries.
The dog’s owner is the most common defendant, but other parties may also be responsible, including a landlord, property owner, business, dog walker, or other person responsible for the animal. This is why so many Amherst residents choose to work with a dog bite attorney. Our team can investigate the circumstances of the attack and determine who may be legally responsible and which claims apply to your situation.
Why Amherst Victims Choose Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law
The communities we serve trust Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law with their most serious dog bite cases, because a life-changing attack deserves an Amherst personal injury lawyer who is ready to take the case to court.
With more than 27 years of litigation experience, over 300 years of combined legal experience, nearly 20,000 clients served, 48 attorneys, and a 240-person team, Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law has the resources to push back against defenses and pursue every dollar of compensation needed to recover.
Local Knowledge of Amherst and Erie County
Familiarity with Amherst and Erie County courts, local requirements, leash laws, animal control procedures, and reporting requirements can make a difference in how a dog bite claim is investigated and handled.
Identifying Every Source of Available Coverage
A homeowner’s or renter’s policy may not be the only potential source of coverage. Depending on the circumstances, insurance may also come from a landlord, commercial general liability policy, boarding facility, groomer, or dog walker. We investigate the available coverage to identify policies that may apply to your claim.
Trial-Ready When Insurers Won’t Pay Fairly
We prepare your personal injury claim with trial in mind from day one, building the evidence and legal arguments needed to present your case before a jury if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
What Compensation Can I Recover in an Amherst Dog Bite Claim?
Recovering compensation after a dog attack is rarely as simple as adding up medical bills. The full value of a claim can include the lasting effects of the injury, from permanent scarring to reduced earning capacity and emotional distress. At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we look beyond the initial medical bills to document the full impact of the attack and pursue the compensation available under New York law.
Depending on the facts of your case, your Amherst dog bite attorney may pursue compensation for:
- Medical care: Emergency treatment, wound repair, rabies post-exposure treatment, reconstructive surgery, and ongoing follow-up care.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Compensation for permanent scarring or disfigurement, particularly when an injury affects the face, hands, or other visible areas.
- Lost wages and earning capacity: Income lost while you recover, along with compensation for a demonstrated reduction in your ability to earn income in the future.
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and the emotional effects of the attack, including anxiety, fear of dogs, and other lasting psychological effects.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Transportation to medical appointments and other reasonable expenses related to your injury, along with certain property damage caused by the attack.
- Wrongful death damages: If a dog attack results in death, eligible distributees may pursue qualifying pecuniary losses under New York’s wrongful-death law, while the estate may have a separate claim for damages the victim experienced before death.
The value of a dog bite claim depends on more than proving that an attack occurred. A dog bite lawyer in Amherst can document the full extent of your injuries through medical records, financial evidence, expert opinions, and other evidence when appropriate, so the insurance company does not get to define the value of your claim based on an incomplete picture and pressure you into accepting an early settlement.
"We fight for our clients as if they were family—taking cases to trial when necessary to ensure they receive the justice and financial recovery they deserve."
How Will a Dog Bite Lawyer at Hiller Comerford Handle Your Claim?
From the moment you contact our firm, our goal is to determine which legal theory fits your case- strict liability, ordinary negligence, or both- and build the evidence to support it before the insurance company has a chance to shape the narrative.
✓ Investigating what the owner knew: We look into prior incidents, animal control records, and other evidence that may show what the owner knew or should have known about the dog’s behavior.
✓ Securing evidence quickly: We work to obtain incident reports, veterinary and vaccination records, photographs, and witness statements before important evidence becomes harder to locate.
✓ Identifying potentially responsible parties: We determine whether the dog’s owner, a landlord, property manager, boarding facility, or business may have legal responsibility based on the circumstances.
✓ Coordinating with Amherst and Erie County authorities: We help manage communications involving local animal control and public health officials, including matters related to potential rabies exposure.
✓ Locating available insurance coverage: We identify homeowner’s, renter’s, landlord, and commercial policies that may provide coverage for your claim, depending on the circumstances and policy terms.
✓ Responding to blame-shifting defenses: We challenge arguments that you provoked the dog or failed to use reasonable care, examining the circumstances of the encounter rather than simply accepting the insurer’s account.
✓ Negotiating from a position of strength: We handle communications with the insurance company and use the evidence supporting your injuries and legal claims to seek fair compensation.
✓ Preparing for trial when necessary: We develop the evidence and legal arguments needed to present your case to a jury if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
The insurance company will have its own adjusters and lawyers working to protect its financial interests. You need someone on your side who can independently determine what happened, identify the legal theory that gives you the strongest claim, and build the evidence before the insurer gets to define the case for you. That’s what our Amherst dog bite attorneys are here to do.
Injuries Commonly Seen in New York Dog Bite Cases
According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention. Dog attacks can range from a minor puncture wound to injuries that require months of treatment. Our attorneys in Amherst help clients pursue compensation for injuries such as:
- Puncture wounds, lacerations, and crush injuries
- Nerve damage or loss of function in the affected area
- Infections requiring antibiotics or hospitalization
- Rabies exposure requiring post-exposure treatment
- Facial injuries and permanent scarring, particularly when children suffer facial injuries
- Fractures or head injuries from being knocked to the ground
- Lasting anxiety or a fear of dogs following the attack
Even when the initial wound appears minor, complications can require additional treatment and leave lasting physical or emotional effects. It is very important to seek medical attention even if your injuries seem minor. Our dog bite lawyers in Amherst, NY, work with treating physicians and, when appropriate, outside specialists to document the full extent of your injuries, treatment needs, and lasting effects so those consequences are properly considered in your claim.
Ida and Stephanie were great! They kept me posted about my case. They provided documents for my doctors to fill out so I had as much medical records as I could! Stephanie represented me in the Judge appeal and was great asking me questions about my disability and helping me convey those disabilities to the judge! I’m so grateful ☺️ for their help! Highly recommend them!
Working with Hiller Comerford was easy. They took care of everything and their communication was exceptional. I’ve already referred others to them.
Seriously grateful to my attorney, Ryan Taylor. I spent years trying to navigate VA disability on my own and they managed to finally make headway where I could not.
Everyone I spoke with and worked with was extremely kind and had great communication also they were compassionate,they worked very diligently to help me and kept me well informed throughout the process I couldn't thank them enough.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law for their exceptional support and guidance throughout my disability benefits process. Their expertise and dedication made an overwhelming situation feel manageable, and they ensured every step was handled with care and clarity. I am truly grateful for their assistance and highly recommend their services.
My lawyer RyanTaylor was amazing. He told me exactly how the process goes, what to expect and how long it realistically would take. He was able to get for me exactly what I had tried twice to do myself but was rejected by the VA for. I will recommend all my Veteran friends to him.
Hard workers, always looking at the positive side of the case and always listening to the client. Only down remark is hard to get calls back.
Hiller Comerford have been amazing. They got me a fully favorable decision on my disability claim, I could have never been able to do that on my own. Everyone in their office is so kind and so knowledgeable. They really helped make a difficult time of my life a pleasure. Thank you so much Hiller Comerford!!!
The firm understands the situation, and are very acknowledged about the social security laws and guidelines. Staff were very friendly. The attorney that represented me was Charles Gaughan and the case manager was Olivia Fritzen. They did a wonderful job with my representation for my case. I would highly recommend The law firm of Hiller and Comerford.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Amherst, NY?
New York’s statute of limitations generally gives you three years from the date of the injury to file a dog-bite lawsuit. Claims against a municipality, such as the Town of Amherst, generally require a Notice of Claim within 90 days, while claims involving New York State property can have different deadlines and procedures.
Evidence can also become harder to preserve with time. Dogs may be rehomed or euthanized, witnesses’ memories fade, and records can become harder to obtain. Speaking with an Amherst dog bite lawyer early can help protect both the evidence and deadlines that may determine your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, our Amherst dog bite attorneys answer questions we hear most often from the clients we represent across Erie County.
What should I do right after a dog bite in Amherst?
Get medical care first, even if the wound looks small. Then, if you can safely do so, get the owner’s name and contact information, photograph your injuries and the scene, and report the bite to the appropriate local authorities. In Amherst, keep any information you receive from animal control and preserve contact information for witnesses. Save your medical records and bills as treatment continues.
What are the dog leash laws in Amherst, NY?
In the Town of Amherst, dogs must generally be restrained by a chain or leash no longer than six feet and kept under the control of a responsible person when off the owner’s property, with an exception for designated and posted dog parks. Amherst also requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than six feet in Town recreation areas.
How much does it cost to hire a dog bite lawyer in Amherst?
At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, dog bite cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial case evaluation is free, so you can discuss what happened and your legal options before deciding how to proceed.
Does homeowners insurance cover dog bites in Amherst?
A homeowners or renters insurance policy may provide liability coverage for a dog bite, but coverage depends on the policy and the circumstances of the attack. Breed restrictions, exclusions, policy limits, and other terms can affect whether coverage is available. Our attorneys review the applicable policies to determine what insurance may be available for your claim.
Can I still recover compensation if I provoked the dog?
Possibly. New York follows pure comparative negligence, so being found partly responsible does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation. Your recovery would be reduced by your percentage of fault. If an insurer claims that you provoked the dog or otherwise contributed to the attack, our attorneys examine the circumstances and the available evidence before accepting that version of events.
Will filing a dog bite claim get the dog taken away or euthanized?
No. A civil claim for your injuries is separate from any action taken by animal control or other authorities regarding the dog. Quarantine, dangerous-dog proceedings, or euthanasia are matters handled by the appropriate authorities under applicable state and local law, not consequences automatically triggered by filing a personal injury claim in Amherst.
