| Dog Bites /Animal Attack - Overview | | | | For instance, a case where the owner is fully aware |
| In New Jersey there are thousands of people bitten by | | | | of an aggressive animals behavior and recklessly |
| animals every single year. Dogs are responsible for | | | | allows the animal run loose demonstrating total |
| most attacks that result in injury. In nearly all cases, in | | | | disregard for the welfare of others. |
| New Jersey, a person bitten by an animal has a legal | | | | Should This Case Be Pursued? and Is It Worth The |
| right to recover damages. | | | | Time And Effort? |
| Usually it is from the animal's owner, however there | | | | Let's face it. Lawsuits are expensive, time consuming |
| are others that may be found equally accountable. | | | | and require a tremendous amount of effort. Unlike |
| What To Do If You Have Been Bitten | | | | other forms of personal injury cases in New Jersey, |
| Seek medical attention immediately. Dog bites can | | | | animal bites are fairly straightforward. |
| cause serious injury, especially if the skin has been | | | | New Jersey is a " Strict Liability State." What does this |
| broken. An untreated animal bite can quickly cause | | | | mean to you if you are a victim? |
| severe infection if the animal was carrying disease. | | | | It means the owner "shall be liable." |
| I'm assuming you have already received medical | | | | That is a direct quote from the New Jersey State |
| attention. If not, do it now. Then, it would be wise to | | | | Statute 4:19-16.and leaves little room for interpretation. |
| think about consulting with an attorney to discover the | | | | Notice the statute did not say, "could be", "might be" or |
| best course of action. | | | | "should be." It is emphatic. It says, "SHALL BE LIABLE." |
| At this point you will need to determine two things. | | | | It is even unnecessary to prove the owner negligent. If |
| 1. Do you have a legal claim? | | | | the dog bites in New Jersey, the owner is flat out liable. |
| And | | | | How much compensation you receive is largely |
| 2. What damages are you able to recover as a result | | | | dependant upon the severity of the injury and even |
| of your injury? | | | | more importantly how articulately your attorney |
| Your Case Evaluation | | | | approaches and presents the case. |
| To determine whether you have a claim, our New | | | | There are however a few circumstances where the |
| Jersey dog bite lawyers consider whether the animal's | | | | owner of the animal is not liable. For instance, if the dog |
| owner was negligent and indirectly caused your injury. | | | | was intentionally provoked, taunted or teased causing |
| How Much Compensation Can You Expect? | | | | an attack or bite. |
| The circumstances surrounding the attack are | | | | Another possible reason an owner will not be found |
| obviously different in every case. It is therefore | | | | culpable is that the incident occurred while the victim |
| important to accurately determine who is responsible | | | | was trespassing on a properly posted property. |
| for an animal bite. | | | | In the "perfect world" any amount of injury caused by |
| This is why it is essential for you to speak with a | | | | an animal deserves to be addressed. However, in the |
| lawyer in order to determine the severity of the attack. | | | | "real world" you and your attorney must decide if the |
| The amount of compensation you receive will be | | | | claim will actually result in a favorable outcome. |
| determined largely by which parties are responsible | | | | At the end of the day, does it have sufficient value? Is |
| and the resources available to cover your damages. | | | | it worth suing a family member, friend or neighbor, |
| You may be entitled to compensation for a variety of | | | | considering the social ramifications? |
| different reasons. For instance: | | | | This is a question that can only be answered by |
| Medical Bills ? Pain and Suffering ? Lost Wages ? | | | | careful evaluation and is one of the first things you |
| Mental Anguish ? Emotional Distress ? Psychological | | | | should consider and discuss with your attorney. |
| Injuries ? Disfigurement and many more! | | | | Be sure your attorney is expert at uncovering possible |
| There have been cases where the victim is awarded | | | | sources of compensation for animal attacks that you |
| punitive damages in order to actually punish an animal | | | | may never have considered. |
| owner for reckless or intentional behavior. | | | | |