Do You Have a Dog Bite Injury?
Have you or someone you know recently been attacked and bitten by a dog? If you answered yes, you are not alone. There are close to 5 million dog bites that occur in the U.S. every year. While most dog bites are not severe and do not require medical treatment, more than 800,000 do require medical attention or hospitalization. Between 30-50 people die each year from dog-related attacks.
If you have recently sustained an injury from a dog bite, you may be wondering whether or not you should hire legal representation. Below is some information on the dog bite laws in the State of New Jersey, as well as some tips as to whether you should think about hiring counsel to represent you.
Should I Hire an Attorney?
New Jersey dog bite laws are there to protect victims of dog attacks. Falling under New Jersey Statute 4:19-16, the law states it is the dog owner’s responsibility to pay for any damages. Even if the dog has never bitten anyone before, the dog owner is still liable for damages to the victim providing:
1. The dog bite or attack happened on public property.
2. The attack occurred on private property, and the victim was there legally.
This is where you may want to think about hiring a qualified attorney for your dog bite claim. The majority of people do not understand the New Jersey dog bite laws and the burden of proof required if you are going to seek compensation.
If your bite was severe enough that you had to seek medical attention, the owner of the dog could be responsible for your medical bills. If the owner is found totally at fault, he or she is also responsible for any other expenses or lost wages that you may have incurred from the attack.
Of all the dog bites that occur in the United States, less than 1 percent of the victims receive compensation. The reason, usually because they did not seek the help of a Certified Supreme Court Personal Injury Attorney. Most dog bite claims are paid from the dog owners homeowners insurance policy. If the dog owner refuses to file a claim with their insurance company, then you need to hire legal counsel immediately.
If the owner’s insurance company is unwilling to reimburse you for 100 percent of your expenses, you need to hire a Certified Supreme Court Personal Injury Attorney. Insurance companies will only offer you a percentage of the money you are owed because their job is to minimize expenses on any claim. An excellent personal injury attorney will present your case to the insurance company with proper documentation and supporting arguments on your behalf.
How Much Time Do I Have to File A Claim?
New Jersey has a statute of limitations on dog bite claims. You have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit in New Jersey. Your failure to file a lawsuit within two years of the dog bite will serve as an absolute bar to recover compensation for your injuries
Hire A Certified Supreme Court Personal Injury Attorney
If you or someone you know has recently been attacked or bitten by a dog, you need to contact Lutz Injury Law today. We have extensive experience in providing the highest level of legal representation for New Jersey dog bite cases. We have won millions of dollars in compensation fighting for our client’s dog bite injuries.
Contact Lutz Injury Law today at, at 973-539-5000. Our office is located in Parsippany, Morris County, New Jersey