Were you attacked by a negligent owner's dog? Did a loved one suffer injuries in an unwarranted dog attack? Our NJ personal injury lawyers are ready to assist you with a free consultation.
Victims of dog attacks often wonder whether they can sue when they suffer personal injuries. In addition to the financial costs associated with dog bites, emotionally traumatic injuries are often permanent.
Civil lawsuits provide victims and their loved ones the opportunity to recover the compensation they deserve. While it may not be possible to undo the consequences of a dog bite, it is possible to fight for and get justice.
Get started today by contacting our team - dog bite case reviews are completely free.
In the case of a dog bite, you can sue the dog owner for damages. You must prove negligence on the part of the dog owner (such as when allowing their animal to attack you) in order for a personal injury lawsuit (e.g. dog bite lawsuit) to succeed. It often takes skilled legal counsel to prove negligence and ultimately achieve the right amount of compensation that considers all your damages.
Negligence is defined as failure to take proper care or attention. People can be considered negligent for failing to prevent harm from coming to someone under their care, or someone whom they owed a duty of care to.
In many instances, dog owners owe a normal duty of care to other individuals, especially when present in public places. If they breach this duty by preventing their dog from hurting someone else (or someone else's dog,) then they could face legal ramifications.
In legal terms, contributory negligence determines a percentage of responsibility for damages that are incurred between two parties. As an example, the maximum compensation a victim will be entitled to is capped at 75% if they are found to have been 25% responsible for the dog bite.
The state of New Jersey recognizes contributory negligence, which means the person seeking damages in a lawsuit has to be less at fault (<50%) than the person who is alleged to have caused the accident.
An experienced injury attorney can help you determine if you are at fault in the incident, and how much. It's worth talking to a legal professional, even if you feel partly responsible for the incident so that he or she can give you a concrete answer.
An expert attorney is strongly recommended for dog bite claims for many reasons. In addition to being severe, dog bites often happen for no apparent reason. These situations require that medical documentation be provided and an injury be established.
In addition, it's critical to have evidence that proves the injuries were caused by a dog bite and that the owner is at fault if possible. It's very easy, in many cases, to erroneously blame or accuse someone of provocation after being bitten.
The assistance of a lawyer will help you avoid such accusations and prepare you to fight any legal action that may be brought against you by the dog's owner. A lawyer can also access medical specialists for review of all medical records and examinations if necessary to determine the extent of injuries and the treatment that may be needed in the future.
The idea that a case can be valued before legal action is taken can be misleading for those without a legal background. It is important to remember, however, that any attorney who promises settlement value before the case is litigated is only speculating.
The general rule is that an attorney can often maximize the compensation for a victim based on the facts and individual circumstances of the case. The following factors may be considered by an attorney when deciding whether or not to pursue a dog bite case:
This page contains information that is intended for educational purposes. A dog bite victim who wishes to determine whether they have a strong claim for compensation must consult an attorney.
You can contact Garden State Justice Group at no cost to you and we will represent you on contingency, which means you won't owe us a dime if you don't win your case. Our helpline is available 24/7, otherwise, fill out the form on this page to be contacted at a later time.
