NJ Dog Bites and Your Legal Rights as a Parent
Getting attacked by a dog can not only be terrifying, but it may make you scared of dogs moving forward – especially if your child is the one who suffers the injury. The initial bite can be traumatizing and painful for a child, which can be difficult and overwhelming for the parents. If your child was bitten or attacked by a dog, it’s important to know your legal rights in New Jersey.
Establishing Liability is Important
It’s important to determine who is at fault when a dog bite occurs. While it’s easy to assume that the dog’s owner is responsible, this isn’t always the case. It can be helpful to consider the following factors when determining who’s responsible:
- Who owns the property where the child was bitten?
- Is someone else responsible for the property than the owner, like a tenant?
- Has the dog had a history of aggressive behavior?
- Who does the dog belong to?
Evaluating these questions can help you decide who may be liable in a dog bite case. Certain details, like if the dog was with a guest visiting the property or if the dog was provoked, may make the case more difficult.
Recoverable Damages in a Dog Bite Case
Receiving medical treatment and dealing with the aftermath of a dog bite can be hard on the whole family. As such, the last thing you may want to do is go through the process of filing a dog bite accident claim.
However, doing so can help you and your family collect the funds you need to make recovery a little bit easier. After a dog bite, you may be able to collect compensation for the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages while you care for your child
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
Pain and suffering is an often-underestimated cost of dog bites. Tort laws in New Jersey allow victims to collect damages for pain and suffering. Children are fragile and being bitten or attacked by a dog can have psychological consequences. The child may be fearful of all dogs going forward. It’s possible that it could make them fearful to leave the house.
The Potential for Future Damages
Another often underestimated damage of dog bites are the costs that the child will likely incur in the future. The consequences of a dog bite don’t necessarily stop once the child receives medical treatment. Some injuries may require multiple procedures and ongoing care. A dog bite can also lead to permanent scarring, which may affect the child in the future.
Choosing the Best Dog Bite Lawyer in NJ
Dog bites are usually complex cases that require specialized knowledge and consideration of all the damages, both current and future. You need a personal injury lawyer with investigative skills that can uncover liability, while also calculating the value of your case. You also want a lawyer who will consider not only the current damages, like medical bills but also the ones that your child may have later in life.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You to Discuss Your Dog Bite Accident Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured due to a dog bite in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured because of dog bites and attacks in Union, Westfield, Cranford, Elizabeth, and throughout Ocean County, Monmouth County, Union County, and Middlesex County, New Jersey. Call (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3315 Route 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730 as well as offices in Red Bank, Brick, and Westfield.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
