Who is Responsible for Paying for A Dog Bite Victim’s Damages in New Jersey?

There are laws in place that give dog bite victims the right to compensation after they have been attacked. Despite dogs being America’s most beloved pets, there are thousands of people who are hospitalized annually by being attacked by dogs all around the country. Sometimes, dog bites can also be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) compiled data from deadly dog bite attacks over time. The CDC found that, on average, 43 people die from dog bites every year.

If a dog bites you in New Jersey, then knowing your rights is important. Understanding the dog bite laws in New Jersey is critical to being treated fairly and getting the compensation you need for your losses.

For any of your questions or for assistance after a dog bite incident, you are welcome to reach out to our South Jersey dog bite lawyer at Monaco Law, PC.

New Jersey Dog Bite Laws 

If a dog bites someone in New Jersey, it does not matter if it has a history of aggression towards others or if the dog’s owner knows it may be dangerous. New Jersey dog bite laws make the dog’s owner strictly liable for the damages that a victim suffers from when a dog attacks. The dog owner’s fault or negligence does not factor into the strict liability statute.

There are exceptions to the strict liability statute. When a person is trespassing on another party’s property, and a dog bites them, the dog’s owner is not responsible for paying for the damages. If a person is committing civil wrongdoing and is then bitten by a dog, the dog owner is also not liable for paying for damages.

The amount of time that a dog bite victim has to file a lawsuit against a dog owner is two years from when the bite incident happened. This is New Jersey’s dog bite statute of limitations. Failure to file a suit within this timeframe usually means that a dog bite victim will be unable to collect financial compensation for their damages.

Compiling evidence about the incident and the extent of one’s damages is essential when making a dog bite claim. Medical records and doctor’s notes, pictures of the bite wound, witness statements, pictures of the location where the incident occurred, and personal journals about the pain and distress that a dog bite victim suffered can all be used to support a claim.

Speak to a New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney Today 

To schedule a free consultation after you are injured by another party’s dog in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, please call our seasoned and experienced South Jersey personal injury lawyer at Monaco Law PC at (609) 277-3166 for our New Jersey office and (215) 546-3166 for our office in Pennsylvania.

We are a New Jersey personal injury law firm serving Atlantic County, Burlington County, Cape May County, Camden County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Ocean County, Salem County, and all of South Jersey.

Source:

cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7236a6.htm