Passaic County, New Jersey is home to over a half a million people. It is part of the New York metropolitan area and includes Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Wayne, and West Milford. Every year, Passaic County hospitals and medical centers treat dog bite injuries. These injuries may be severe and require hospitalization and plastic surgery. In especially tragic cases, a dog may kill another individual. At Aretsky Law Group, P.C., our dog bite injury attorneys are experienced in various types of attack claims and possess the skills and expertise needed to help you obtain the maximum compensation available under the law.
Although in most cases, dog owners are automatically liable for the harm a dog bite causes to a victim, dog owners may raise a couple of defenses to avoid or reduce liability in these claims.
First, the dog owner may argue that the victim was trespassing at the time of the attack. The dog owner must show that, if the attack did not occur in a public place, such as a park, the attack occurred on private property that the victim was not authorized to enter. Mail carriers, meter readers, and others who have implied consent to enter private property are generally not labeled as trespassers.
Additionally, the dog owner may argue that the victim provoked the dog shortly before the attack occurred. Of course, this is a subjective argument that must take all of the facts of the incident into account. Was the victim roughhousing with the dog? Was the victim simply sitting in a chair in the owner’s home when the attack occurred? Did the victim have notice that the dog was injured and should not be petted? These facts must be carefully examined by the parties, their attorneys, and the court system.
Without an attorney, a dog bite victim may lose the right to recover damages. Often, dog bite victims are unaware of all of the damages they may be entitled to—such as pain and suffering and the cost of future medical care. Victims should seek an attorney as soon as possible after an attack.
Contact Us Today to Discuss Your Potential ClaimAt Aretsky Law Group, P.C., our attorneys have helped numerous clients obtain compensation for their injuries. To schedule a consultation with our firm, call 800-537-4154 to discuss your legal options.