Hoboken Dog Bites & Attacks

Hoboken, New Jersey is home to roughly 50,000 people. Located in Hudson County, Hoboken is part of the New York City metropolitan area and is growing rapidly. Hoboken enjoys a multitude of residents with varying backgrounds, and it also welcomes a variety of pets—including dogs. Although dogs are generally wonderful pets, they do sometimes exhibit aggressive behavior. Dog bites, attacks, and maulings may result in lifelong injuries or even death. At Aretsky Law Group, P.C., our dog bite injury attorneys ensure that our clients are protected through every step of the claim process and obtain the compensation they deserve.

If the victim’s injuries are solely caused by a dog bite, the dog owner is strictly liable for the victim’s damages. New Jersey holds dog owners responsible for all of the harm that a dog bite causes—whether it is simply an emergency room visit for stitches or a subsequent plastic surgery to address severe scarring. It does not matter if the dog owner took precautions to prevent the attack—the owner is still liable. It also does not matter if the dog had never attacked anyone in the past.

However, if a dog causes other injuries—for example, perhaps a leashed dog runs around the victim and the leash trips the victim—the victim must pursue damages in a negligence claim.

A negligence claim requires the proof of three elements:

• The dog owner had a duty to prevent the dog from causing injury to others;
• The dog owner breached this duty; and
• Due to the breach, the victim suffered damages.

Each of these elements must be proven for a victim to prevail in a negligence claim. Without proof of one of the elements, the claim will fail.

In contrast to a strict liability claim, a negligence claim involves the examination of the dog owner’s actions. If the owner tried to reasonably restrain the dog, this fact will be considered. Additionally, the dog’s past will also be considered.

At the Aretsky Law Group, P.C., our attorneys are experienced in dog bite and similar injury claims. To schedule a consultation at our Hoboken, N.J. meeting location by appointment only with our attorneys to discuss your claim, call Aretsky Law Group, P.C. at 800-537-4154.