Legal Question in Civil Litigation in New York

Yes, you can sue for an assault and battery in both instances. You're not only entitled to recoup your son's medical bills but also punitive damages for both attacks.

The problem, however, is that you probably won't be able to recover much, if anything. Not many people have big lump sums of money lying around with which to pay out a settlement. Unfortunately, the defendant's homeowners insurance (if he has any) won't cover an intentional act.

Also, I can almost guarantee that the assault didn't occur in a vacuum. The defendant is going to claim that your sons provoked him or even started the fight. A case like that, where the facts are hotly contested, could go on for years and years. Litigation is stressful and time consuming. A law suit problably isn't worth it considering the limited injuries you've described.

Yes you can sue. Talk to a lawyer about your case.