New Haven Dog Bite Lawyer

Connecticut does not require a dog bite victim to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Under the state's strict liability rule, the owner is responsible for the harm the dog caused, with only a few narrow exceptions. Action Law Group represents dog bite victims in New Haven and works to secure compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and the lasting effects of the attack.

Call (203) 439-3143 for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.

Connecticut's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

Connecticut General Statutes Section 22-357 makes a dog's owner or keeper liable for injury the dog causes to a person's body or property. You do not have to show the owner was negligent or that the dog had bitten before. The statute covers bites and other injuries a dog causes, including knockdowns and falls.

Exceptions Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 22-357

The owner is not liable if the victim was trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog at the time of the attack. For a child under seven years old, the law presumes the child did not provoke the dog, and the burden falls on the defendant to prove otherwise.

How Long You Have to File Under Connecticut Law

A strict liability claim against a dog's owner or keeper under Section 22-357 must be filed within three years of the incident, under Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-577. That deadline is different if the claim is against someone other than the dog's owner, such as a landlord, where a two-year negligence deadline under Section 52-584 typically applies instead. Confirming which deadline applies to your case early matters, since filing under the wrong theory or timeline can cost you the claim entirely.

Where a New Haven Dog Bite Claim Is Heard

Dog bite lawsuits arising in New Haven are typically filed in the Connecticut Superior Court, Judicial District of New Haven, at 235 Church Street. Joseph Ametrano and Nicholas R. Nesi handle personal injury claims for Action Law Group and can explain how the strict liability statute applies to your specific attack.

When Someone Other Than the Owner Can Be Liable

The dog bite statute targets the owner or keeper, but Connecticut courts have also allowed claims against a landlord in certain circumstances. In Giacalone v. Housing Authority of Wallingford, the Connecticut Appellate Court recognized that a landlord aware of a tenant's dog's dangerous tendencies who failed to act on that knowledge could face liability under ordinary premises liability principles, separate from the strict liability statute itself.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

• Puncture wounds and lacerations
• Nerve damage
• Infections, including risk of rabies exposure
• Scarring and disfigurement requiring reconstructive treatment
• Fractures from knockdowns, common in attacks on children and older adults

Severe attacks involving nerve damage, disfigurement, or fractures can rise to the level of a catastrophic injury claim, which changes how the case should be valued and documented from the start.

What Compensation Can Cover

Economic damages: emergency treatment, reconstructive surgery, follow-up care, and lost wages.

Non-economic damages: pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and emotional distress, including lasting fear around dogs.

What To Do After a Dog Bite in New Haven

1. Get medical treatment, even for a wound that looks minor, since infection risk is high.
2. Report the attack to New Haven animal control so it is documented.
3. Get the dog owner's name, address, and homeowners or renters insurance information.
4. Photograph the injury as it heals, not just immediately after the attack.
5. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the owner's insurer before speaking with a lawyer.

Dog Bite FAQs

Do I have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous?
No. Connecticut General Statutes Section 22-357 imposes strict liability, so a prior bite history is not required to recover.

How long do I have to file a claim?
Three years from the date of the attack under Section 52-577 for a claim against the owner or keeper. A claim against a non-owner, such as a landlord, generally falls under the two-year deadline in Section 52-584 instead.

What if I was on the dog owner's property?
Being on the property does not defeat a claim by itself. The exception applies only if you were trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog.

Can I still recover if the dog never bit anyone before?
Yes. Strict liability under Section 22-357 does not depend on the dog's prior history or the owner's knowledge of it.

Talk to a New Haven Dog Bite Lawyer Today

A dog attack can mean emergency treatment, follow-up surgery, and time away from work, on top of a legal deadline that starts running the day it happens. Action Law Group offers free consultations and has recovered results for dog bite clients before. Call (203) 439-3143 now, there is no fee unless we win.

Contact us online or by phone today at (203) 439-3143 for a free consultation regarding your injuries.