New Jersey Dog Bite Statute: N.J.S.A. 4:19-16:

The owner of any dog which shall bite a person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.

This is a "strict liability" statute.

Dog bites can be life-altering events with devastating emotional, psychological  and financial ramifications. This is especially true when these attacks involve the most vulnerable people in our society, children and the elderly. What is most sad is that the debilitating injuries,  disfigurement and  death that often result from these unfortunate events could likely have been avoided if negligent owners had just taken some simple steps to prevent them. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by a dog or other animal attack in northern New Jersey, Bergen, Passaic, Hudson or Essex County, you should immediately contact an experienced  Hackensack personal injury attorney at the firm to learn more about your rights and legal options.    

Dog Bite Injuries: How a Bergen County Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites each year, half of whom are children. Their studies also reveal that nearly half of those injured required emergency treatment and 16 victims died.  In these studies, the Incidence of bite-related injuries is highest for children ages 5 to 9 years, and almost two thirds of injuries among children ages four years and younger are to the head or neck region.

It is important to understand that as much as we all love our pets and animals, and in many cases treat them like members of our family, New Jersey law requires us to make reasonable efforts to protect people from any injury and harm that our pets may cause. Whether the attack occurs in someone's home or out on the street or public property, and whether you know the pet owners personally or not, the pet owners are liable in most instances, depending on the situation. When the pet owner is known by the victim, however, it's not unusual for victims to be reluctant or uncomfortable about seeking legal remedies. While this is completely understandable, be aware that many of these incidents are covered by a person's homeowner's insurance, so the justice and compensation you seek and deserve will not come from the personal assets of the friend, acquaintance or family member.

If you or someone you love was injured or killed because of the negligence of a dog owner in Bergen or Hudson County you should immediately seek the medical help you need and then contact a knowledgeable attorney like Rafael Gomez. Rafael Gomez has experience and is dedicated to an aggressive prosecution of clients' cases and the vigorous protection of their rights. Mr. Gomez will pursue every legal avenue to provide the best settlement possible for the injuries and damages suffered from all liable parties. Don't fight the insurance companies alone, put a New Jersey dog bite lawyer on your side. 

If you were attacked or bitten by a dog in Hackensack, Englewood, Bergenfield, Little Ferry, Clifton, Lodi, Union City, West New York, Jersey City, North Bergen Secaucus or Paterson, you may have legal options to seek financial compensation for the injuries you have sustained. Getting more information on this topic and talking to an attorney about your unique case will enable you to make an informed decision about your claim. At the Rafael Gomez Law Firm, we have many years of experience to apply to your case.

Dog Attack Help & Information

By reviewing the information we have on our website, you have the opportunity to learn more about dog bites, your rights, what to do in the aftermath of an attack and how an experienced attorney can help you. We welcome you to look through any of the pages listed below as well as to contact our offices to discuss your particular case with a professional experienced in handling cases of this kind.

We believe that getting information applicable to your unique case will empower you to make the right choices about moving forward with a claim against the dog owner or other party responsible for your injuries. Sustaining injuries from a dog attack may be a traumatic experience to endure, but recovering financial compensation for medical care and other post-injury expenses can go a long way in enabling you to rebuild your life and work toward moving on.

Contact a New Jersey dog bite lawyer today to talk about your case and your options with a skilled professional by calling (201) 646-9799.