Dog Bite Lawyers in Newark

If you have an injury from a dog bite, you need to contact a Newark dog bite attorney as soon as possible. Dog owners are generally responsible for the injuries their pets cause, and you may have a legal claim for compensation for your financial losses, including your medical bills, lost work income, and more.

Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can help you pursue a dog bite injury claim against irresponsible owners. Dog bites and animal attacks can cause lasting physical and psychological scarring, and the financial consequences can be severe. Our dog bite injury firm can handle every legal aspect of your claim, from initial investigations to final settlement negotiations. Our goal is to recover as much compensation as possible for your harm, giving you the chance to heal and recover.

Contact us online or call (973) 364-8300 today to speak to a personal injury attorney in Newark.

Injuries a Dog Bite Can Cause

Dogs have exceptionally strong bite forces and sharp, irregular teeth that can crush bone and tear and lacerate flesh. Larger breeds are generally the most capable of causing damage, but smaller breeds can harm people, too. Bite injuries are often rough and asymmetrical, so they often have difficulty healing and can leave extensive scarring. Common injuries from dog bites might include:

• Bruises and soft-tissue injury
• Cuts and lacerations
• Tearing and gouges
• Torn muscle and tendon
• Nerve damage
• Loss of fingers
• Facial injuries
• Broken bones
• Infection (e.g., tetanus, rabies, etc.)
• Eye damage
• Amputations

Dog attacks can also cause pronounced PTSD and dog phobia. Survivors may also feel great emotional distress and anxiety over their appearance if they suffer disfiguring and scarring injuries.

Strict Liability and Dog Bites in New Jersey

NJRS 4:16-19 establishes that dog owners are strictly liable for injuries from dog bites. This means that bite victims do not have to prove that the owner was negligent to collect compensation. As long as the dog bit the victim and the victim was legally in the place where they were bitten, the dog handler, owner, or other legally responsible party is liable for the victim’s economic and noneconomic losses. It does not matter whether the owner had previous knowledge about the dog’s aggressive temperament — they are still responsible.

Liability for Other Types of Dog Injuries

This strict liability law only applies to dog bites, but dogs can injure people without biting. For example, a large dog might scratch and knock someone down, trying to jump on them.

However, you can still recover compensation from a non-bite injury by proving one of two things:

• The owner was negligent, or
• The owner knew about the dog’s dangerous behavior

An owner or handler can be negligent insofar as they have a duty to reasonably control the dog’s behavior and breach that duty. For example, if they let their dog off the leash in a public area, they could be liable if it jumped up and knocked someone over.

Owners can also be liable if they previously knew about the dog’s dangerous habits or behavior. If an owner knew about their dog’s aggressive tendencies, they may be liable if the dog caused injuries. Importantly, this specific scenario operates under strict liability rules, so the victim does not have to show the owner was careless. Note that dangerous behaviors here include more than just aggressive tendencies. A large dog with a habit of jumping on people can count as dangerous, even if they are not trying to harm anyone.

Dangerous Dogs Laws in Newark

New Jersey also has a legal procedure for identifying and designating dangerous dogs (NJRS 4:19-22). If the courts can show that a dog attacked another person or animal, they can designate it as a dangerous dog. Owners of dangerous dogs must abide by specific rules for controlling and containing that dog. Specifically, they must:

• Obtain a special license
• Place warning signs in their house/apartment
• Lock the dog in an enclosure with a muzzle and leash

Owners may also have to carry a liability policy to insure any injuries the dog causes. Dangerous dog owners who violate these rules may be subject to a $1,000 fine per day of noncompliance.

Defenses to Dog Bite Lawsuit Claims

There are two primary defenses dog owners can rely on to mitigate liability in dog bite cases:

• Trespassing: New Jersey’s dog bite liability statutes only apply to guests who are lawfully on the property where they were bitten. If the bite victim didn’t have permission and was trespassing, then the owner might not be liable for your losses.
• Provocation: The dog owner might also argue that the victims shared blame for the attack, such as by provoking or harming the dog. If the victim is more than 50 percent to blame for their injuries, New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws would bar them from recovering compensation. 

Compensation You Could Recover from a Dog Bite Claim in Newark

If you suffer a dog bite injury in Newark, you could recover financial compensation for any losses you suffered as a direct result of your injuries. This could include losses such as:

• Emergency medical bills and continuing medical expenses
• Lost employment income, including hourly pay/salary, bonuses, commission, tips, etc.
• Lifetime reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish
• Discomfort from scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of life enjoyment or convenience

We will investigate your claim from every angle to be sure we have accounted for all the losses related to your injuries, including long-term ones like continuing medical care and a loss of earning potential. We will take a full accounting of your losses and determine a dollar amount that includes your pain and emotional suffering, as well.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Newark?

The statute of limitations on dog bite injury claims in Newark allows two years from the accident date for you to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner (NJRS 2A:14-2). After two years elapse, your legal claim will expire, and you won’t be able to recover compensation in court.

Two years might seem like a long time, but delaying your case is not ideal. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to gather sufficient evidence that proves the cause and extent of your injuries. Your best option is to contact a Newark dog bite law firm as soon as possible to start building your case.

Why Hire Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Dog Bite Injury Case in Newark?

Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has decades of experience working with personal injury claims in Newark and New Jersey. We have recovered over $500 million for our injury clients across a range of cases, including dog bite and premises liability claims. Our high success rate in cases is a testament to our tenacity and effectiveness as negotiators and litigators. We are unafraid to pursue liable parties for the compensation they owe our clients and will use every resource at hand to secure victory.

Most importantly, we understand the difficulties of life after a serious injury. We know what complications you might deal with and can work to secure money for both your typical and atypical injury losses. You have a right to pursue fair compensation for your injuries, and we are here to assist in whatever way we can.

Newark Dog Bite FAQs

Feel free to contact us if you have any more specific questions about New Jersey’s dog bite laws or dog bite settlements in Newark.

How Can a Newark Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me Get Compensation for My Injuries?

A dog bite attorney can handle every detail of the dog bite claim process. They can gather evidence proving the dog owner’s liability and represent you when negotiating with insurance companies. If necessary, they can file a formal lawsuit to recover your losses in court.

What Can I Do if a Dog Bites Me in Newark and the Owner Refuses to Take Responsibility?

If the owner refuses to take responsibility for a bite, you can contact animal control and the police. This will generate a formal accident report you can use as evidence. If negotiations with the insurance company break down, your attorney can take them to court to present your case for compensation to the judge or jury.

How Do New Jersey’s Dog Bite Laws Affect My Claim in Newark?

New Jersey’s dog bite laws work in favor of victims because of strict liability. Victims do not have to prove the owner was negligent, so recovering compensation from bite injuries has a lower bar than many other personal injury claims.

Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Newark

Dogs are our best friends and companions, but an aggressive or unleashed dog can be a serious danger. If you have suffered an injury from a dog bite or attack, you need a Newark personal injury attorney to help manage the process. Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers online or call (973) 364-8300 for a free case consultation with a dog bite attorney in Newark. We are available 24/7, so we can find a meeting time that is convenient for you.