Oradell Dog Bites & Attacks

If you have been attacked by a dog, you need an attorney that understands not only the legal aspects of your claim, but also the emotional toll these cases have on victims. Dog bite claims involve much more than simply being compensated for your medical bills. At Aretsky Law Group, P.C., our dog bite attorneys will ensure that both your current and future needs are taken care of.

There are several different laws and regulations in place for dog bite claims in New Jersey. If a bite is the only injury the dog caused, New Jersey’s dog bite statutes will apply. These statutes are strict liability, which means that the victim only needs to show that the dog bit the victim to recover damages. The dog’s history, as well as any precautions the dog owner took to prevent the incident, is not relevant in a strict liability claim.

If the dog causes other types of injuries, however, the victim must pursue damages in a standard negligence claim. The victim must show that:

• The dog owner had a duty to prevent the dog from attacking;
• The dog owner breached this duty by failing to take reasonable precautions; and
• Due to the dog owner’s breach, the victim suffered damages when the dog attacked.

Negligence claims are appropriate when a dog knocks a victim over, for example. In these claims, the dog owner’s level of negligence is taken into consideration. If the dog has a history of attacking others, or if the dog owner took every precaution possible to restrain the dog, courts will consider these factors when making a decision on liability and damages.

In dog bite and other dog attack claims, dog owners may raise certain defenses in an attempt to avoid liability. For example, if the victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property when the dog attacked, the victim may not be able to pursue a claim. In addition, if the victim somehow provoked the dog before the attack, the dog owner may not be liable for the victim’s injuries.

At Aretsky Law Group, P.C., our dog bite injury attorneys offer a Consultation to provide you with an understanding of your potential rights. To schedule your Consultation with our firm, call 800-537-4154 or use our convenient Live Chat feature.