Beware of man’s best friend. A dog bite can happen to anyone, anytime and without any notice. The size or breed of the dog doesn’t matter. Small, friendly, cute, and cuddly, or large, aggressive and anxious dogs – all can bite innocent people. Most dog bites happen to people who know the dog and the owner. The dog can be a neighbor’s, friend’s or relative’s pet. But that makes no difference to the dog. Dogs can bite a person when it feels threatened, or when it is just playing. However, a dog’s sharp teeth and strong jaws can cause serious injuries from any bite. If you or a family member is injured from a dog bite, you need to immediately contact a NJ personal injury lawyer.
Dog Bites by the Numbers
- It is estimated that 4.7 million people will be bitten this year.
- Most dog bite victims are children.
- Each year, 800,000 people go to the hospital and require medical treatment for dog bites.
- Dog attacks kill 12 people each year.
NJ Dog Bite Law
Some states give the dog a “get out of the pound free card” and allow a dog one free bite. New Jersey does not have a one-bite rule. In NJ, the dog’s owner is responsible even if the dog has never bitten any before. If you are bitten by a dog or any other animal in NJ, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. This makes NJ a “strict liability” state. This means the dog-owner is responsible for your dog bite. It doesn’t matter whether the dog was a tiny, tea-cup dog, or a pit-bull, Great-Dane, Rottweiler, or other large dog.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, scarring, and even death, especially to young children or senior citizens. The potential dangers and injuries from dog bites are extensive, and whether the animal is vicious or not, it can cause the following injuries:
- Cuts, lacerations and bleeding
- Crushed and broken bones
- Scarring, which can be jagged, raised or discolored
- Puncture wounds
- Infections
- Rabies
- Emotional and psychological trauma and fear of dogs/animals
Contact MyNJInjuryLawyer
If you or a loved one is attacked or bitten by a dog in New Jersey, you should contact an attorney familiar with handling these claims. My NJ Injury Lawyer Howard P. Lesnik, Esq. offers free strategy sessions to address any issue or questions you may have about filing a claim for a dog bite incident. Please contact NJ Injury Lawyer Howard Lesnik, Esq., immediately if you were attacked by a dog. I personally handle NJ personal injury dog bite cases on a regular basis. Please contact me now by email, by phoning 908.264.7701, or by completing the form to the right to schedule your complimentary 30-minute strategy session.