New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers

Hoffman DiMuzio Personal Injury Team

A proven dog bite attorney may help ease the monetary strain that survivors bear after an injury.

Dog bites may cause serious injuries and permanent scarring. The victim of a dog bite almost always needs immediate medical attention, and there are usually out-of-pocket medical expenses involved.

In most cases, the law makes the owner of a dog that bites another, responsible for the dog attack and the resulting damage it causes, regardless of whether or not the dog has ever bitten anyone before.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite or dog attack, the proven personal injury team at the law offices of Hoffman DiMuzio may be able to help. To see if you have a claim, please contact us or call 856-637-3000 today for a free consultation.

Dog Bite Liability

You simply need to establish who owned the dog, that the dog bit you and that you had a legal right to be where you were when you were bitten. If you, then the only remaining issue is for you and your dog bite lawyer to find the value of the claim and whether the dog owner has insurance to pay the claim.

Dog Bite Claim Value

The value of a dog bite claim is based upon many factors. The size of the dog that bit you and the viciousness of the attack itself, play a role in determining value. The nature and extent of your damages greatly affect the value, as well.

Some of the more common problems caused by dog bites are puncture wounds, scars that may need revisionary surgery, fractures, nightmares, fear of dogs, rabies treatments, wage loss, medical expenses, and disfigurement. Many dog bites result in permanent residual scarring. Where and how prominent the scarring effects its value, as well.

You may also have rights against a dog owner for dog attacks that do not result in bites. In those cases, the history of the dog and the actions of the owner in trying to protect the public from the dog are a much larger consideration.

Whether a particular dog is a known threat and has been a threat before become key factors. If the dog has attacked another previously, whether it bit or not, place the dog owner on notice that he or she must take greater steps to protect the public from this dog.

Whether or not the municipality has previously cited the owner for dog related issues, such as dog running loose, no leash, or prior reported dog attacks, would lay a foundation for negligence on the part of a dog owner.

Dog Bite Law

The law cannot prevent you from being bitten or attacked by a dog or other animal, but you do have rights to enforce against a dog owner if you are. If you are bitten or attacked by a stray, a dog with no known owner, you have no recourse. A dog cannot be held civilly responsible for an attack, only its owner can.

Injury By Other Animals

People may own other animals that may cause you injury. Although the rules are different with regard to other animals than they are for dogs that bite, the owners may be liable for their animal’s actions as well and there may be insurance coverage to cover your damage and loss.

Contact A Proven Dog Bite Attorney

If you are the victim of a dog bite or attack, or of an attack or bite by any other animal with a known owner, and have questions, please contact the proven personal injury team at the law offices of Hoffman DiMuzio for a free consultation or call 856-637-3000 to speak with a dog bite lawyer.

Disclaimer: please note this page was written to provide information about the law and is not legal advice. Click here to read more about our disclaimer and our fees and services.

This dog bite page was written by Michael Glaze.

Mr. Glaze is a proud member of the Hoffman DiMuzio Personal Injury Team and specializes in personal injury, auto liability, premises liability and PIP defense.