A dog is one of the most popular pets in the country. In fact, roughly one-third of all households in New Jersey have adopted a dog. Dogs have many wonderful traits, including their loyalty and their playful nature. However, at times, dogs can exhibit aggressive behavior. Sometimes they are not feeling well, sometimes they are scared, and sometimes they simply have not been socialized properly. At Aretsky Law Group, P.C., our dog bite, attack and maulings lawyers have assisted numerous clients with these difficult claims.
Dog bites and other types of injuries caused by dogs may result in thousands of dollars in damages. These damages may include at least one of the following:
Dog bites and maulings may result in permanent injuries. In extreme cases, individuals have been killed by dogs.
There are Multiple Laws That Apply to dog Attack Claims in New JerseyIf a dog bite was the sole cause of injury, the claim will proceed under New Jersey’s dog bite statutes. According to New Jersey law, dog owners are strictly liable for harm their dogs cause—even if the dog had never acted aggressively in the past. Dog owners will be liable for the immediate and future harm a dog bite causes. For example, the immediate injury may be a puncture wound, but a future injury could be an infection that develops later. So long as the injuries are directly related to the dog bite, the victim may be able to argue that the dog owner is liable.
However, if the dog caused injuries in a manner other than a bite (such as by charging the victim, causing the victim to fall), the case must proceed as a negligence claim. The victim must show that the owner failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the attack.
Were you Attacked by a Dog?If you were attacked by a dog, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible to protect your rights. To schedule a consultation with Aretsky Law Group, P.C., call 800-537-4154 or contact us through our convenient Live Chat feature.