Approximately 1,000 United States citizens sustain dog bite injuries daily and nearly 4.7 million are bit every year. But only a small percentage files lawsuits. If a dog bites you in New Jersey, you have up to two years to file a lawsuit. The court will ultimately dismiss your case if you file a complaint after this period lapses. You are eligible for compensation whether a dog bites you in a private or a public place. This condition applies whether or not the dog had shown prior aggressive behavior, regardless of the owner’s knowledge.
The dog bite law is a strict liability statute, meaning that the owner of the biting dog is liable for injuries caused to the victim, despite his or her reasonable effort to restrain the dog or to warn others.
If you are bit by a dog in the Garden State, an attorney may be able to help you recover compensation. You can get compensation for:
- Medical expenses you incur for the treatment of the bite.
- Pain and suffering you experience.
- Lost wages for the days you are unable to work.
- The mental pain that results from remembering the dog attack.
- Humiliation caused by the scars of the bite.
- Lower quality of life due to disability
The principle task of an attorney in a dog bite case is to determine the degree of the complainant’s damages adequately. The process is not easy. Medical bills and records, opinion letters from doctors and records from the employer form an avenue for the beginning of the evaluation of the case. An experienced attorney can help you to determine a fair compensation package for damages including the intangibles like psychological torture.