Monmouth County Dog Bite Lawyer

Serious dog attack injuries need a dog bite lawyer. Dog bite cases are challenging, often involving medically complex injuries. A knowledgeable attorney can accurately assess and evaluate your injuries. At Falcon Law Firm, we have extensive experience handling dog bite personal injury claims. An experienced dog bite lawyer from our firm will help you navigate the claims process, working tirelessly to recover the damages you deserve. Contact us today for professional representation for your claim.

New Jersey’s Dog Bite Statute: Strict Liability

New Jersey is a strict liability state for dog bites, which makes these claims fundamentally different from ordinary negligence cases. Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, the owner of a dog that bites someone is liable for the resulting damages regardless of the dog’s former viciousness or the owner’s knowledge of it. New Jersey does not follow the so-called one-bite rule, and an owner cannot escape liability by saying the dog had never bitten anyone before. To recover under the statute, an injured person must establish three things: that the defendant owned the dog, that the dog bit the plaintiff, and that the plaintiff was in a public place or lawfully on private property, including the owner’s own property. A person is lawfully on private property when present by invitation, express or implied, or while performing a duty imposed by law, such as mail delivery. Owners may still raise defenses, most commonly provocation or trespass, which is why the circumstances of the attack still matter.

Why Hire an Experienced Dog Bite Lawyer?

Consulting an experienced dog bite lawyer often means the difference between a denied and successful claim:

• Attorneys have a greater knowledge of the various dog bite laws and can evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
• Skilled personal injury attorneys can accurately value your claim’s worth, including intangible damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement.
• When an insurance company offers a settlement far below what your claim is worth, a lawyer experienced in dog bite claims can negotiate a fair payout or recover compensation by representing you at trial.
• Attorneys will gather critical evidence to establish the elements of a claim under New Jersey’s dog bite statute and to rebut a defense of provocation. Proof can be found in witness testimony, analyzing the history of the dog for any other aggressive incidents, and investigating the owner to see if they took reasonable steps to prevent the attack.
• Knowledgeable lawyers will evaluate the injuries suffered in the attack from a medical standpoint and relate it on a personal level to a judge and jury.

For example, medical records may state that a victim sustained deep lacerations and puncture wounds to the face and hands. However, the records cannot express:

• How the pain is so debilitating that the victim can barely sleep
• The psychological damage a victim experiences every time they look at their reflection and fail to recognize their own face due to the facial trauma
• How the victim feels as they are stared at by bystanders at the grocery store or whispered about on the bus
• The mental anguish of having to constantly recount and relive the traumatic events to concerned family members, co-workers, and friends

A skilled New Jersey personal injury lawyer will express your pain and suffering in a way that any reasonable individual can relate to and understand.

How Much Is a Dog Bite Lawsuit Worth?

Due to the unique nature of each dog bite case, it is difficult to arrive at a calculation for the average worth of a lawsuit. In general, such cases will cover various expenses such as medical expenses, hospital bills, and other costs. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a dog bite incident, it is important to have a skilled attorney represent your best interests. When insurance companies release data exploring recent increases in claim payouts, it is inevitably followed by a struggle to reduce costs. Without representation, an insurance adjuster may employ tactics to minimize the compensation you deserve. At the Falcon Law Firm, LLC, we have represented numerous dog attack victims and helped them recover damages, including:

• Full compensation for medical expenses
• Lost wages if you cannot work, including if the lost wages result from taking care of an injured child
• Pain and suffering damages
• Emotional and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Possible punitive damages for acts of gross negligence

Every dog bite claim is unique and may qualify for damages different from the above. An evaluation from one of our dedicated dog bite injury lawyers can help you determine the true value of your case.

How Long Does It Take to Settle A Dog Bite Case?

A dog bite case can settle in three months, or it may take over a year or more. Dog bite incidents are challenging and involve many complex factors, including:

• The extent of damage from the attack and whether there are lifelong consequences can drive up the value of a claim and make it less likely for an insurance company to settle.
• Whether the dog has a history of violence in other attacks on record. In some cases, if the owner has moved, it may be difficult to obtain past records from another county, city, or state.
• Whether there were any witnesses to the attack itself or witnesses to the dog’s past behavior that may indicate an aggressive tendency.
• If the owner claims the dog was provoked, the case will likely be argued at trial. It will take time to gather evidence that you were bitten while in a public place or lawfully on private property, and to rebut a claim of provocation. You do not need to show the dog had bitten anyone before or that the owner knew it was dangerous.

One defense commonly employed by dog owners is that the victim provoked the dog. If a dog attacks after being teased, harassed, or abused, liability may be affected. An argument over liability can often draw out a case when there are no witnesses to the attack.

Do Dog Bite Cases Go to Court?

Most dog bite cases do not go to court and are settled by the insurance company. In many cases, dog bites occur around familiar dogs. Neighbors, relatives, and friends may have dogs that are typically friendly and mild-mannered. However, in an instant, a friendly visit can turn chaotic. Though dogs are touted as being “man’s best friend,” they are still animals and are capable of unpredictable behavior. For instance, suppose you are throwing an annual barbecue and inviting friends from around the neighborhood. A dog you have known since it was a puppy suddenly snaps at your child, causing deep wounds to their face and arm. With an estimated 4.5 million dog bites occurring each year, the above scenario is highly likely. The probability your neighbor’s insurance company will settle out of court is also likely:

1. The attack involved a child in their own backyard
2. The attack was witnessed by several guests

Although the dog had no history of violent behavior, an insurance company may risk losing more by going to trial than settling out of court.

How Much Do Insurance Companies Pay for Dog Bites?

Each insurance company is different with regard to how much they might pay for a dog bite injury. However, if the claim is higher than the insurance limits, a dog owner may be responsible for the difference. It is important to note that insurance companies may have a clause that will not insure certain breeds. Some insurance companies refuse to cover pit bull attacks due to frequency and severity. Pit bulls are responsible for more dog bites, dog attacks, and dog attack fatalities than any other breed in the world. Over 16 years, pit bulls were responsible for 67% of dog bite fatalities. Additionally, a bite from a pit bull is the most dangerous. Pit bulls have a unique way of attacking and latching on to a victim. Their bite is powerful, often puncturing deep into the muscle. Pit bulls tend to hold their victim and shake, causing catastrophic damage. Bites from pit bulls are compared to shark attacks due to the extensive damage. If you have been injured by a dog bite, it is crucial to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

If I Sue Over a Dog Bite, Will the Animal Be Put Down?

No, in general, if you sue over a dog bite, the animal will not be put down. A dog owner is liable for your injuries and responsible for preventing any further acts of aggression. If an owner fails to prevent further attacks, they may be required to display warning signs, use muzzles, and keep the animal in a secure and locked enclosure. If a dog continues to demonstrate that they are a danger to society despite these precautions, then euthanasia may be ordered.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a dog bite claim, under the same statute of limitations that governs other personal injury actions. If that deadline passes, the claim is ordinarily barred no matter how serious the injury. Claims involving a child follow a different timeline, and a claim against a public entity may require notice within 90 days.

Monmouth County Dog Bite Lawyer Serving New Jersey

Whether you’ve sustained puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, crush injuries, scarring, or any other injury as a result of a dog attack, you may qualify for compensation; our firm is here to help. Contact a dog bite lawyer from Falcon Law Firm today to schedule your free case evaluation with our dedicated personal injury team.