A dog bite can cause serious injuries, scarring, and psychological trauma. An owner should be held responsible when their pet attacks unprovoked, but many states have a “one bite rule” that protects owners from liability in some cases. Does New Jersey have such a rule? It doesn’t, and our Sussex County dog bite lawyers can tell you what that means if you were the victim of an animal attack.

Is a Pet Owner Liable For a Dog Bite?

The one bite rule can protect an owner if their dog has never attacked someone before. If this is the first time the dog has harmed someone, they can argue that they did not know that their pet could be a danger to someone else. They would only be held accountable for any subsequent attacks.

The absence of a one bite rule means that an owner is held responsible when their dog attacks someone in New Jersey, even for the first time. If you were bitten by a dog and you were not trespassing or antagonizing the animal on purpose, you should be able to claim compensation. This means that you can sue the owner. In most cases, that means negotiating with their homeowner’s insurance company.

What Kinds of Damages Can You Win in a Dog Bite Case?

A dog bite can result in a pile of medical bills, but the experience can be psychologically scarring as well. A fair compensation offer would address both the economic costs of this accident as well as the non-economic costs, like pain and suffering. We can help you negotiate an offer that helps make up for:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Therapy expenses
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Pain from disability or disfigurement
  • The cost of plastic surgery
  • Mental anguish
  • Property damage, like if a pair of glasses was broken by the dog during their attack

Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney?

It’s not always easy to get the compensation that you deserve though. An attorney can help you build a stronger case and prove that the dog owner was negligent. They will:

Help you gather evidence: Your lawyer might have an easier time securing footage from the attack than you would. They can also help you gather other useful evidence, like medical bills, a copy of the police report, and records of other attacks carried out by this same animal.

Defend you from accusations of wrongdoing: A dog owner might claim that their dog did bite you, but it was because of something that you did. Your lawyer can help you poke holes in their story.

Calculate fair compensation: Your lawyer can help you figure out what kind of compensation would be fair. Then they can help you negotiate with the insurer to get what you deserve.

Schedule Your Case Consultation

So if you or a loved one have been attacked by a dog, we want to hear from you. Contact Laddey Clark & Ryan, LLP to schedule a free case consultation. There’s no obligation. We just want to tell you more about your legal options and how we can help you claim compensation.