A lot of dogs fully earn their reputation as man’s best friend, but anyone who’s even playfully roughhoused with a dog understands how dangerous these animals can be if they feel threatened. Unfortunately, some dogs are also predisposed to being aggressive towards people and animals they don’t know, and that—combined with a lack of training and control from their owners—can lead to violent encounters with life-altering results.
New Jersey state law is generous in the rights it provides dog bite victims to sue over their injuries with a skilled attorney’s help. If you’ve been bitten and seriously injured by someone else’s pet, a Pennsauken dog bite lawyer can walk you through the process of enforcing those rights and getting paid fairly for every form of harm you will suffer because of this incident.
When Are Dog Owners Strictly Liable for Injuries?
According to New Jersey Revised Statutes § 4:19-16, dog owners are strictly liable for all injuries and losses another person suffers because of an attack by the dog. Strict liability means you don’t have to prove the dog owner was reckless or careless to recover compensation from them. Instead, you just need to prove they own or are responsible for controlling the dog that bit you and that your injuries were caused mainly and directly by that dog attacking you.
It’s also possible to hold dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog’s dangerous habits—for instance, a tendency to snap at people who get too close to them or even a tendency to excitedly jump on visitors and possibly knock them over. If you were hurt by another person’s dog under other circumstances, you may be able to hold them liable for related injuries through a claim built around traditional negligence, which is something a skilled Pennsauken dog attack attorney can provide vital assistance with.
Recovering for All Available Damages
Losses with objective financial values that you can prove through evidence like receipts and bills and losses that you have to value in subjective and personal terms can be factored into a lawsuit or settlement proposal based on a dog bite injury. This can include but isn’t strictly limited to:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Lost work wages and/or working ability
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Personal property damage
However, you may miss out on some or all the compensation you’d otherwise be entitled to if a court finds you partially at fault for causing your injuries—for example if you were trespassing on the dog owner’s property or provoking the dog when it bit you. This is another possible obstacle to civil recovery that a dog bite lawyer in Pennsauken can help you navigate around.
Talk to a Pennsauken Dog Bite Attorney Today
Being bitten by an aggressive dog can be physically and emotionally traumatic, especially for young children and elderly adults. While money alone can’t erase all the negative effects of that trauma, it can maximize your overall quality of life and financial security in the aftermath of an attack.
If you want to explore your options for suing over a dog-related injury, a Pennsauken dog bite lawyer can answer questions and offer guidance about the next steps during a private initial meeting. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to start working on your case.
