A serious dog bite injury can change a person’s life. Unfortunately, many dog bite victims fear seeking help from an experienced Jackson dog bite attorney because they fear what will happen to the animal or are worried it could damage a personal relationship with a friend or family member. A dog bite can cause significant scarring, disfigurement, pain, and financial losses. An attorney has the experience and resources to help you pursue the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, our Jackson dog bite lawyers understand the tremendous physical, emotional, and financial consequences an individual can experience when a man’s best friend turns on them. We aim to help dog bite victims recover from their injuries and pursue the compensation they deserve.

The compassionate team at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is ready to advocate for you, creating a personalized strategy to help you recover fair compensation. Contact our office today to learn how we can help and set up a free initial case evaluation.

New Jersey Dog Bite Laws

New Jersey has a strict liability law. This law means that dog owners are liable when their pets bite or attack someone, causing injuries, whether the dog owner knew their dog was vicious and aggressive or not. However, the victim must have been on public property or legally on private property when bitten by the animal.

The strict liability law does not always apply to cases where the victim was trespassing on another person’s property without explicit or implied permission. A dog owner may attempt to limit their liability in court by arguing that the victim provoked the dog into attacking or biting.

New Jersey also dictates that animals that scratch or bite an individual must be placed in a 10-day quarantine at the owner’s expense to evaluate the animal’s health and temperament.

Dog Bite Injuries

Statistics show that nearly 4.5 million Americans sustain dog bites each year. At least 334,000 people are treated in U.S. emergency rooms for dog bites, while another 466,000 people are seen in other medical settings. Four-legged friends may be sweet and loving most of the time, but dogs are incredibly powerful animals capable of inflicting serious injuries, especially on children.

Some of the most common dog bite injuries include:

• Puncture wounds
• Amputations, especially of the fingers
• Soft tissue damage
• Broken bones
• Dislocations
• Facial injuries
• Eye injuries
• Nerve damage
• Internal bleeding
• Lacerations
• Abrasions

Unfortunately, dog bite injuries are more than skin-deep. They can cause deep emotional and psychological trauma in children and adults. Studies show that dog bites can lead to invisible injuries like long-term psychological problems in children, like post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep disturbances, depression, panic attacks, and anxiety.

In addition to physical and emotional physical damage, dog bites can lead to serious infections and illnesses. The mouth of a dog contains vast colonies of potentially dangerous bacteria. Statistics indicate that 10 to 20 percent of dog bite wounds become infected. Dog bites can also transmit diseases, such as:

• Rabies
• MRSA
• Tetanus
• Pasteurella
• Capnocytophaga

Rabies infections from domesticated dogs in the United States are rare. However, diseases and illnesses can occur, especially when careless dog owner fail to vaccinate their animals. Dog bite victims must seek immediate medical attention for their injuries and consider prophylactic measures to prevent illnesses. Rabies infections are nearly 99 percent fatal when left untreated, and symptoms begin to manifest.

Compensation for New Jersey Dog Bite Injuries

According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, liability claims involving dog bites cost homeowners insurers nearly $1.116 billion in one year, and the number of dog bite claims continues to climb. New Jersey ranks in the top 10 for the estimated number and cost of dog bite claims in the U.S., with 782 claims recorded in one recent year. The average cost of a New Jersey dog bite claim is just over $72,000.

While the value of a claim varies based on the circumstances of the incident and the severity of a person’s injury, a victim has the right to pursue compensation via an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Money a dog bite victim can pursue includes:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

Get the dog owner’s contact information and any witnesses, document your injuries, seek immediate medical attention, and contact an experienced Jackson dog bite attorney for help managing your next steps.

Why You Need a Skilled Jackson Dog Bite Attorney

Recovering fair compensation for serious dog bite injuries can be challenging. No one wants to admit their precious pooch is capable of hurting someone, and no one wants to see their homeowner’s insurance rates increase. Dog owners may attempt to dodge liability for the incident so they don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for the damage their animal caused. Victims may be uncomfortable confronting a dog owner and asking for compensation, especially if a friend or family member owns the dog.

As a victim, you deserve compensation for your injuries and losses. A Jackson dog bite attorney can protect your rights and advocate for you. Your attorney can manage all communication between you and the parties involved and aggressively negotiate with an insurer. You can focus on healing while your lawyer manages the details of your situation and pursues fair compensation on your behalf. You don’t have to feel caught in the middle.

Statute of Limitations on Dog Bite Lawsuits in New Jersey

Sometimes, a personal injury lawsuit may be the best option for holding a careless dog owner accountable for their pet’s actions. However, dog bite victims have limited time to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries. New Jersey law gives victims two years from the bite date to file a lawsuit. File a case after the date, and the court can dismiss the case, severely limiting your options for recovering maximum compensation.

FAQs

Interested in learning more about New Jersey dog bite claims? Here are the answers to some common questions about these cases.

How can a Jackson dog bite lawyer help me recover compensation for scarring or permanent injury caused by a dog bite?

Unfortunately, the sharp teeth and powerful jaws of a dog can cause permanent injuries, nerve damage, and scarring. These wounds can leave a painful and lasting impression on an individual and long-term medical consequences and expenses. An initial dog bite settlement from an insurance company may not factor in your long-term or permanent injuries or scarring. Before you accept any offer, discuss your situation with an experienced Jackson dog bite attorney. An attorney can thoroughly review your situation and medical records to help calculate the fair value of your claim.

Building a claim backed by evidence, an attorney can aggressively negotiate for fair compensation that addresses the serious nature of your injuries and the long-term medical and emotional repercussions of those wounds. You deserve money for current medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, permanent injuries, disfigurement, or disability.

What legal actions can I take if a dog bite occurred on private property in Jackson and the owner refuses to take responsibility?

No one wants to believe that their beloved pet could be responsible for causing a significant injury to someone else. Dog owners commonly attempt to skirt responsibility and deny fault for a dog bite injury. However, dog owners are responsible for controlling their pets and preventing injuries from occurring. When an accident occurs due to a dog owner’s careless actions or inactions, it doesn’t matter if the owner refuses to take responsibility. The injured individual has the legal right to pursue compensation for their injuries.

Whether you file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit, a Jackson dog bite attorney can help you find the best path forward, hold careless owners accountable, and pursue the compensation you deserve.

How can a Jackson dog bite attorney help me gather evidence to support my claim?

Evidence is the backbone of any strong dog bite case. However, it can be challenging to gather valuable evidence when an individual is suffering from severe injuries. Uncooperative dog owners can also make gathering and preserving evidence more difficult.

A Jackson dog bite attorney can help you gather evidence to support your claim by taking the reins early and conducting a complete investigation into the accident. An attorney has the knowledge and legal resources to gather evidence such as medical records, witness statements, photographs or videos of the incident, and expert witness testimony to corroborate and support your claim.

A New Jersey Dog Bite Attorney Is Ready to Represent You

At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, our Jackson dog bite lawyers commit themselves to delivering results. Our compassionate team understands the profound long-term impact a dog bite can have on a person. We aggressively fight to secure the money you need to cover your medical expenses and the quality-of-life alterations that can come from a vicious bite.

Contact our office today or call us at (973) 364-8300 to request a no-obligation case evaluation. Discuss your situation with an animal bite claim attorney, and let’s find legal solutions to your dog bite case.