Dog Bite Injuries

Atlantic City Dog Bite Attorney

Most of us don’t give dog bites too much thought, but dog bites may lead to serious injuries. While dogs are meant to be man’s best friends, some dogs are less friendly than others. When you encounter a dog that you don’t know, always proceed with caution and teach your children to follow your lead.

If a dog bites you—even if you think the bite isn’t serious—make safety your priority and seek medical attention for any necessary treatments and tests. If the dog’s owner is present when the dog attacks you (or if you can locate the owner), protect both yourself and your dog bite claim:

  • Procure the owner’s contact information
  • Procure the owner’s insurance information
  • Procure the dog’s health and vaccination history
  • Find out whether the dog has a history of similar aggressive behavior
  • Don’t discuss a monetary settlement or any other kind of compensation with the dog’s owner

An experienced dog bite attorney will help protect your rights during complicated New Jersey dog bite cases. At The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand just how much trauma dog bites can cause, and we’re here to help. Our dog bite attorneys have the experience, skill, and compassion to guide your case toward its just compensation.

Your Dog Bite Injury

Some dogs have extremely strong jaws and gnashing teeth. As such, their bites can cause severe injuries. In fact, dog bites can lead to the following complications:

  • Serious illnesses, including infections
  • Physical disfigurement at the site of the wound that can require plastic surgeries
  • Serious scars
  • Serious lacerations that require ongoing treatments
  • Decreased mobility that can require ongoing treatments and physical therapy

If you or someone you care about suffered a dog bite, don’t take a wait and see approach—seek immediate medical attention. Don’t leave your health to chance.

New Jersey’s Dog Bite Laws

New Jersey law dictates liability when it comes to dog bite claims:

  • The dog’s owner is liable if the dog bit the injured party in a public place or while lawfully in a private place
  • The dog’s owner is liable even absent any prior indication or knowledge that the dog could become vicious

New Jersey takes a firm stance when it comes to dog bites and employs strict liability, which means that the owner of the dog that bites is liable for any injuries that result from the bite—even if the owner used reasonable care to restrain the animal and take similar protections. In New Jersey, in other words, the elements necessary to bring a dog bite claim are simply that a dog bit you while on public property or while legally on private property (you weren’t trespassing). Plaintiffs need not prove negligence.

Statute Of Limitations

Like other states, New Jersey employs a statute of limitations when it comes to personal injury claims like dog bite cases. In New Jersey, you have two years from the time a dog bites you to bring a legal claim. Dog bites can upset you, and it’s natural to want to put them out of your mind. Because dog bite injuries can fester and become more serious with time, however, take such injuries seriously. First, seek medical treatment, then consult with an experienced dog bite lawyer as soon as you can.

Dog Bite Claims And Compensation

Dog bite incidents are not only harrowing but also extremely painful and expensive. Your dog bite claim should compensate you for all the serious financial burdens you incur:

  • Emergency transportation
  • Medical treatments
  • Surgeries
  • Ongoing treatments and therapies
  • Medical specialists
  • Prescription medication
  • Adaptive medical devices

Your claim should also address the expense of lost wages and any reduction in your ability to earn a living. Finally, consider the pain and suffering you’ve endured.

Dog bite cases are complicated and require experienced legal counsel. Your rights and your rightful compensation matter.

Dog Bite Statistics

DogsBite.org has compiled some of the most alarming statistics related to dog bites:

  • About 4.5 million dog bites take place in the United States every year, and almost one in five become infected.
  • In the United States, a dog bites someone every 75 seconds, and more than 1,000 people need emergency medical care each day to treat the injuries that ensue.
  • Dog bite related hospital stays cost 50 percent more than average injury related stays.
  • More than 28,000 people required reconstructive surgery after suffering dog bites in 2015.
  • From 2005 through 2016, dogs killed nearly 400 people in the United States. Pit bulls are the first most deadly dog breed, causing 65 percent of these bite-related deaths. Pit bulls together with Rottweilers, the second most lethal dog breed, accounted for 76 percent of the dog-bite deaths during this 12-year period.

Dog bites can cause serious injuries. If you or someone you love suffered a dog bite, get the immediate medical attention that you need.

If A Dog Attacked And Bit You, Contact A Skilled Atlantic City Dog Bite Attorney Today

If a dog attacked and bit you, you know what devastation that can cause. If a dog injured your child, it can result in more trauma still—in fact, children are especially vulnerable to dog bites. Don’t navigate this complicated and emotionally fraught course on your own—an experienced dog bite lawyer will guide your claim toward the full and just compensation to which New Jersey law entitles you.

The dedicated legal team at The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers in Atlantic City has the experience, commitment, and compassion to guide your dog bite claim toward its most positive resolution. Our skilled Atlantic City personal injury attorneys are here to help, so please contact us online or call the office today at (215) 825-5183.

Atlantic City Office
Attorneys Gabriel Levin and John Mattiacci at The Levin Firm welcome the opportunity to meet and work with you.
Toll Free: 877.825.8542