The dog bite law in New Jersey will hold an owner legally responsible for injuries his or her dog causes. It is a strict liability law, meaning the owner will be liable in most cases without needing to prove his or her negligence. If a dog attacked you or a loved one in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, you have rights. Discuss your options for pursuing compensation with one of our attorneys for free. Contact Console & Associates PC’s Cherry Hill dog bite lawyers at (856) 778-5500 today.
Dog bites can easily be catastrophic for a victim. Common dog bite injuries range from facial lacerations and avulsions (the tearing away of skin) to puncture wounds and infections. Serious injuries may require legal representation to obtain fair compensation. Otherwise, an insurance company may take advantage of the injured claimant and convince him or her to accept a lowball settlement. Hiring an attorney can balance the scales, making it easier for a victim to negotiate a fair settlement from the insurance claims adjuster. An attorney could walk your family through the steps toward obtaining fair compensation while you heal.
The laws regarding a pet owner’s liability after a dog attack change according to state. New Jersey is a strict liability state, meaning in most cases, an owner will be strictly liable for injuries and property damages a dog causes. A victim will not have to prove the owner’s responsibility for the attack except in rare cases. This law is the opposite of a one-bite rule, which is the dog bite law in many states. In a one-bite state, an owner will only be liable if he or she should have known about the dog’s violent past and done more to prevent the attack. The victim must then prove the owner’s negligence to receive compensation.
If a dog attacks you in New Jersey, you most likely will not have to prove the pet owner’s negligence or fault for the incident. Instead, the owner will be strictly liable for paying for your damages if you can prove you were lawfully on the person’s property and the dog caused the injuries in question. You may have to defend your position, however, if the pet owner tries to allege comparative fault, such as by saying you provoked the dog or were trespassing. A Cherry Hill personal injury lawyer can help you argue your case and pursue maximum compensation.
New Jersey’s civil justice laws enable plaintiffs to seek recovery for emotional injuries as well as physical damages. Dog attacks are often psychologically traumatic for victims. Survivors may experience nightmares, post-traumatic stress disorder, fear, anxiety, depression, self-image issues, loss of self-esteem and mental anguish. You do not have to be the victim to seek compensation for these damages. If you witnessed the traumatizing dog attack of a loved one, you may also be eligible for emotional injury recovery.
At Console & Associates PC, we offer free initial consultations to dog attack survivors in Cherry Hill and throughout Camden County, New Jersey. During your free case review, we can listen to the details of your attack and let you know how we may be able to help you bring a case against the pet’s owner. You may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, future health care costs, loss of income, pain and suffering, property repairs, and more. Call our local law office today to request your free consultation at (856) 778-5500. You can also contact us online.
