New Jersey & New York City Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
NJ & NYC Dog Bite Injury Attorneys. | Dogs can be a man’s best friend, but that isn’t always the case if they end up under the control of the wrong people. While bites might occasionally result in minor wounds, they can also be serious, costing pain and expensive bills for needed medical care and even possibly causing trauma if young children are involved. The extent of the injuries is determined by the circumstances and parties involved.
Our Dog bite lawyers have handled numerous dog bite injury cases in NJ / NYC and we are familiar with the many problems dog bite cases may raise, particularly the trauma that can affect kids and even parents who see their kids being bitten. The victim of an animal attack may be entitled to reimbursement from the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance, enabling them to take care of any injuries they may have sustained.
What are my Legal Rights If I'm Bitten by a dog in NJ or NY?
New Jersey | The regulations concerning dog owners’ liability after an incident involving a bite or an animal attack are set forth in New Jersey Statutes section 4:19-16. The law clearly states that the owner of a dog is liable for any bite that occurs in a public setting or when the victim of the bite is legitimately on the dog owner’s property. No matter whether the dog’s owner was aware that an attack was likely to happen, the dog’s previous viciousness is irrelevant. Owners of dogs are legally accountable for losses and damages. Children make up the bulk of bite victims, and they frequently have painful, lifelong facial injuries. The courts in New Jersey take dog bite attacks very seriously and have some of the strongest dog bite regulations in the nation. Because there is no “one free bite” in New Jersey, unlike other states, dog owners are completely accountable for any harm their pets may cause.
New York | If the dog injures someone for the first time, the one-bite rule absolves the owner of responsibility. If the owner is oblivious of the dog’s potential for injury in this situation, they are not liable. According to the strict liability rule, the owner is liable for any damage brought on by the dog, whether or not they were aware of its potential for harm. These laws state that the dog’s owner must interpret specific behaviors to determine if the dog is threatening or not. For instance, behaviors like leaping up on people, fighting with other dogs, and loud barking can indicate that the dog is potentially dangerous.
However; New York’s dog bite statutes, the owner of a dog that has been previously deemed “dangerous” is strictly accountable for the victims’ medical or veterinary expenses. The victim must also demonstrate that the dog had a dangerous propensity for attacking people and that the owner was aware of this propensity if the dog causes any other harm. You might be entitled to sue the dog owner, for instance, if the dog runs free and bites you because the owner failed to keep it on a leash. You must demonstrate that the injury and any additional damage the dog caused were the result of the owner’s negligence in this situation.
What should I Do After Being Bitten By A Dog In NJ or NYC?
Under New Jersey law, victims of such injuries must defend their legal rights in order to get compensation. Victims risk losing their ability to pursue a claim if the evidence is not properly preserved or if a formal complaint against the dog owner is not made in a timely manner. As a result, those who have been bitten by dogs should get the following information as quickly as possible:
- Find the dog and dog’s owner and get his/her contact information
- Get the contact information for any & all witnesses and other victims
- Take photos and/or video of the dog and the dog’s owner, witnesses and location of the incident.
- Seek medical care and make sure to take photos of all the bites, scratches and bruises that the dog caused to everyone.
- Get the insurance information from the dog’s owner
- Talk to a personal injury lawyer quickly, in order to file a timely claim and gather the necessary evidence.
Is A Dog Owner Responsible Every Time The Dog Bites Someone?
In most cases a dog owner can unquestionably be subject to a lawsuit as a result from a his dog biting someone. However there are some circumstances that can provide a legal defenses for a dog and his owner:
- The Dog was being provoked, abused or assaulted
- You received a bit as a result of accidentally stepping on the dog’s tail
- A trespasser / home invader is bite as the dog is defending its home against the person
- You are bite as a result of petting a strange dog.
- The dog bite as a reaction to pain inflicted from the person he bit.
- If you intervened in a dog fight and received a bite as a result.
- You are bitten by a dog protecting its owner or it’s puppies.
- Spraying the dog with a repellant, kicking or slapping it’s fence or throwing rocks at the dog to provoke it.
Contact a New Jersey & New York City Dog Bite Attorneys Today, For Help With Your Case.
If you have sustained any injuries ,whether an adult or a child, as a result of a dog attack, such as bites or being knocked over by a vicious dog, our personal injury attorneys can help. Our lawyers have aggressively fought for compensation of countless dog bite victims in Woodbridge, Newark, Jersey City, Patterson, Elizabeth, Toms River, Trenton, Clifton, Bayonne, Lakewood and East Orange who have suffered as a result of negligence dog owners. Thanks to the help of our team of experienced personal injury attorneys, thousands of individuals in North, Central & Southern New Jersey, as well as New York City’s five boroughs (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), have received compensation for themselves and their families because of our legal counsel and assistance. Our extensive victories and expertise in dog bite cases is the reason you receive full and just compensation for all losses incurred as a result of an animal attack.
NYC / NJ Dog Bite Injury Attorney
New Jersey & New York City Dog Bite Injury lawyer, John Anzalone has represented victims in countless dog bite injury cases. Our NJ & NYC team of experienced personal injury lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation to find out the exact who is at fault in your case and will advise you regarding your recovery options, Call 732.366.5120 today or fill out the form above for a free consultation.
Other Areas Of Practice
Results achieved in prior matters are not meant to be a guarantee of success as the facts and legal circumstances vary from matter to matter.