Many New Jersey families have dogs as family pets. Dogs are beloved family members, but sometimes they can be dangerous. Animal bites can happen in an instant and are often totally unexpected, although owners do always have an obligation to supervise their dogs.
A Jersey City boy was recently hospitalized after being attacked by a neighbor’s dog. The boy was outside playing with friends when a neighbor’s pitbull broke from his chain and chased after the children. The dog grabbed the 8-year-old boy by his ear and bit it off. The dog’s owner then tried to remove the dog from the child, but it attacked the child again and bit his right thigh and calf. The boy is facing multiple surgeries and may need a prosthetic ear because of the brutal attack.
When many people think about dogs, they have happy, positive feelings. But dog bites occur to far too many New Jersey residents each year. When a person is attacked by a dog it can be an emotionally traumatic experience, not to mention one that can have severe medical consequences including disfigurement and months of rehabilitation.
A legal professional who specializes in personal injury can help an injured person with their dog bite claim. They can investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and help determine what happened to cause the injury. They can hold the negligent party responsible and compensation may be available for medical expenses, future medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
No one expects they will be the victim of a dog bite, but they can occur in a blink of an eye. It is important for victims to know that they have legal options they can pursue.
Source: nj.com, “Dog bites off 8-year-old’s ear during brutal attack“, Caitlin Mota, April 13, 2017