A dog attack can be a traumatic experience for anyone, and sometimes it happens at places we don’t suspect. We might be visiting a family friend or a relative and get bitten by their dog. It might even be a dog that the victim knew and believed to be friendly.
But dogs can get aggressive or territorial and lash out. When this happens at a home where the victim felt safe, it can add to the stress and anxiety that goes with a dog bite. Another difficulty comes when you decide whether to make a claim against the owner of the dog. This person might be your friend or relative, and the last thing you want to do is jeopardize your relationship.
However, a dog bite can cause serious injury and cost the victim and his or her family a considerable amount of time and money. People have insurance for a reason, and most people will want to make things right.
Dog Bite Claims in New Jersey
In New Jersey, an owner is responsible for damages when their dog bites another person. This is called strict liability as it doesn’t require the victim to prove that the owner was negligent. However, a victim has to show that certain circumstances existed:
- The victim must have been in a public place, or
- The victim must have been Invited to a private place when bitten, or
- The victim must have been otherwise lawfully on the private property.
Provocation
Many states have a requirement that the victim not have provoked the dog prior to the attack; however, New Jersey law doesn’t have such a requirement.
In-Home Dog Bite Injury Claims
When making an in-home dog bite claim in New Jersey, the law requires that you were invited on the property and were not a trespasser. This is important because it establishes the basis for a dog bite claim. If the owner allowed you on their property and the dog bites, then you have a claim.
To be invited doesn’t necessarily mean that each time before you walk on the property you get permission, but it is created by past circumstances and precedence. If you routinely go over to your neighbors or your relative’s house and just walk in, and in the past they were ok with this, then you are considered to be invited.
Types of Compensation a Bitten Person can Seek from Dog Park Bite Injury
Dog bites cause a host of problems that many don’t think about. Under California law, a person can seek any financial loss they suffer from the incident as well as intangible losses like mental anguish.
- Medical Bills
- Lost time from work
- Permanent disability
- Permanent Disfigurement
- Transportation
- Rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of Consortium (physical intimacy)
- Mental anguish, including PTSD
Contact a Cherry Hill Dog Bite Lawyer.
After any accident involving a serious injury, contact a Cherry Hill Dog Bite Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.
Contact The Pearce Law Firm, P.C. at (856) 354-5688 for a free consultation and case evaluation. We handle clients in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.