What Must You Show To Recover for Your Losses?
You’re minding your own business walking down the street when you’re attacked by a vicious dog. What are the New Jersey dog bite laws? What must you prove to get full and fair compensation for your losses?
New Jersey Dog Bite Law—The Basics
As in many other states, the dog bite statute in New Jersey is based on the legal principle of strict liability. In most personal injury lawsuits, the victim must prove that the defendant (person from whom damages are sought) acted negligently in order to recover compensation. Proving negligence requires evidence that the defendant failed to act as a reasonable person would have in the same circumstances. Under strict liability, though, there’s no requirement that the injured person establish that the defendant was negligent.
To recover after a dog bite in New Jersey, an injured person must show only that the defendant owned or controlled the dog who caused the injury, and that the person was bitten either on public property or while the victim was legally visiting private property. Under New Jersey law, it’s irrelevant whether the dog’s owner knew or had reason to know that the dog was vicious or had previously exhibited aggressive behavior.
It’s important to understand, though, that strict liability applies only when a person is bitten by a dog. If, for example, a person is knocked down, scratched, or mauled by a dog–but not bitten—any recovery for injuries must be pursued under a legal claim of negligence, rather than strict liability. Under such circumstances, the injured person must show the following:
- The dog’s owner knew or should have known of the dog’s likelihood for aggressive behavior; and
- The owner failed to take reasonable steps to protect others, such as confining the dog in a pen or putting it on a leash.
Let Attorney David J. Karbasian Help You After a Dog Bite or Animal Attack
You have the right to seek full and fair compensation when you’ve been hurt in an unprovoked attack by another person’s dog. We can help. Send us an email today, or call us at 1-877-HOGLAW1 to schedule an appointment to discuss your claim. Evening and weekend consultations are available upon request. We can come to your home or the hospital to meet with you, if necessary.
We take all dog bite injury claims on a contingency basis. We will charge legal fees only if we recover compensation for your losses.
