Personal Injury: Dog Bite Attacks

With offices in Oakhurst, Howell, and Toms River, we provide professional legal representation for the entire New Jersey area.

For many of us – no matter where we live – dogs and other domestic pets are an indispensable part of our everyday lives. These animals are often not just pets – they are a part of our family. As loving and adorable dogs can be, they are still animals that are driven by their instincts. This can cause them to respond in an aggressive way when they are frightened or in an unfamiliar setting. Unfortunately, this can have horrifying and even fatal consequences for anyone who is on the wrong side of an agitated dog and its sharp teeth.

New Jersey Dog Bite Attack Claims

A New Jersey dog bite attack claim is not very different from any other type of personal injury case.

Common Dog Bite Attack Injuries

Physical, emotional, and mental injuries that can result from a dog bite attack can be severe and long-lasting; sometimes injuries inflicted on New Jersey dog bite attack victims are permanent,   remaining long after the incident is over. While it has been thousands of years since dogs have been domesticated and a diversity of dog breeds have emerged, they still have a predator’s teeth and temperament. Accordingly, the amount of damage a dog bite attack can inflict on a victim should not be underestimated. This is especially true if the victim is a child.

• Physical Damage: The most common types physical injuries suffered by dog bite victims in New Jersey include puncture wounds, scratching damage to soft tissue, and tearing of the skin. These injuries often happen in highly visible and sensitive areas such as the face, hands, neck, and arms. Disfigurement, scarring, and physical disabilities can have a devastating impact on the dog bite attack victim’s daily life and limit a victim’s ability to engage in regular activities. They can even thwart future career opportunities.
• Psychological Damage: While psychological scars that are inflicted on a dog bite attack victim are not visible to the naked eye, they are no less impactful on the life of the victim and his or her loved ones. Experiencing an attack by a powerful animal instills fear in the victim, and suffering a serious injury due to violence can cause long-lasting trauma. For these reasons, dog bite attack victims often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe phobias after an incident. While victims of all ages can experience trauma, children are particularly vulnerable to these attacks since they are still learning how to behave around animals.

Seeking Monetary Compensation? Call Richard Schibell

New Jersey law allows a dog bite attack victim to pursue monetary compensation for damages suffered as a result of the accident. This is true whether or not the dog has ever attacked anyone in the past and no matter if the animal has previously displayed any signs of aggression. State law allows for recovery as long as the victim was on public property or was legally allowed to be on private property when the attack occurred. However, if the dog’s owner can prove that the victim was trespassing or the dog was provoked, a New Jersey court may reduce or outright deny a monetary award to the victim.

If you or someone you care about has suffered injuries in New Jersey as a result of a dog bite attack, be sure to contact Richard Schibell right away. While state law is reasonably straightforward, the specific facts and circumstances surrounding a dog bite attack are as unique as the parties involved and can affect the ultimate monetary award.

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