Sussex County Dog Bites & Attacks

Dogs are fondly called “man’s best friend.” Unfortunately, on occasion, dogs injure people by biting, mauling, or otherwise attacking them. If you have been injured by a dog in Sussex County, you may be entitled to compensation under New Jersey law. At the Aretsky Law Group, our dog bite injury attorneys are experienced in various types of claims and have helped numerous clients obtain compensation for their injuries.

New Jersey law provides that victims of dog bites and other dog-related injuries are entitled to damages. These damages include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

To recover damages, the victim must prove that the damages sought are directly related to the dog-related injuries. For example, to claim medical expenses, the victim must provide copies of medical bills and medical records that show the amounts sought reflect treatment for the injuries. Without proper proof of damages, the victim’s claim may fail.

Generally, in dog bite cases, dog owners are strictly liable for a victim’s injuries. This means that the victim does not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent when the dog attacked—the attack itself is usually all that is required for the victim to be entitled to damages. If the dog causes injuries in some other manner, such as by charging the victim or jumping on the victim, the victim must prove that the dog owner was negligent at the time of the attack. Was the dog not properly restrained? Did the dog owner let the dog roam free, knowing that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior? These factors would be closely examined in such claims.

Dog owners may try to raise a couple of defenses in dog bite or dog attack claims to avoid liability. For example, the dog owner may argue that the victim had no right to be on the property at the time of the attack, or that the victim somehow provoked the dog. With a skilled dog bite attorney, however, these defenses will be weakened where appropriate.

There are deadlines in place that limit the amount of time a dog bite victim has to file a complaint. To schedule your consultation at our Sussex County meeting location by appointment only with our attorneys, call 800-537-4154 or email our office directly at office@aretskylawgroup.com.