Kearny Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog attack in Kearny can leave you with significant physical and emotional scars. In New Jersey, state law makes dog owners liable, or financially responsible, for most dog attacks and dog bite injuries. For professional legal assistance with your dog bite injury claim, contact our New Jersey dog bite attorney at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC. Initial legal consultations with our local dog bite lawyers are free and come at no obligation to hire our firm. Call (201) 997-0030 today.
What Are New Jersey’s Dog Bite Laws?
New Jersey is a strict liability dog bite injury state. This means that all pet owners are responsible for the injuries and losses inflicted by their dogs, regardless of fault and without requiring proof of negligence from the victim. In most cases, you can hold a pet owner liable for a dog bite injury even if the owner had no reason to suspect the dog’s propensity for viciousness and was not careless in handling or controlling the dog.
To recover financial compensation for a dog attack in New Jersey, you or your New Jersey personal injury lawyer typically must prove the following:
- The defendant is the owner or controller of the dog.
- You were lawfully on public or private property.
- You did not instigate the dog attack.
- The injuries or losses you are claiming stemmed from the dog attack.
In New Jersey, the owner of the dog that attacked is liable for any injuries, even if the owner took reasonable measures to prevent the attack or had no reason to suspect that an attack would occur. If you lived in a state with a one-bite liability law, on the other hand, you would need to prove that the owner knew or reasonably should have known that the dog might have attacked based on a previous bite incident.
How Much Is Your Case Worth?
With most dog bite injury cases, it is an insurance company and not the pet owner that pays for losses. If the pet owner has homeowners or renters’ insurance, this will cover dog attacks, in most cases. You may be eligible for financial compensation for your past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, losses of income, legal expenses, property repairs, and more. The value of your claim will depend on many different factors, including:
- Injury severity
- How long it takes you to reach your point of maximum medical improvement
- The cost of your medical expenses
- If you will have permanent scarring, disfigurement or disability
- Your income and the amount of work you had to miss
- The amount of physical pain and emotional distress you suffered from the attack
- Your age and overall health
- The amount of insurance coverage available
Before you accept a settlement from an insurance provider, consult with a dog bite injury lawyer in Kearny. Insurance companies want to protect their own bottom lines, not injured accident victims. The initial settlement may not be adequate for your financial damages and injuries. An attorney can evaluate the fairness of the offer and help you negotiate for a better settlement, if applicable. Achieving the best possible outcome is especially important if you or a loved one suffered serious injuries, such as lacerations or facial injuries, as you will have ongoing medical costs.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation in Kearny
A dog attack can be overwhelming for you and your family. An experienced attorney can help you during this difficult time. If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, contact the Kearny dog bite injury lawyers at Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC right away. We have been helping accident victims recover compensation throughout New Jersey for almost 50 years. We have a reputation for achieving outstanding results through aggressive and personalized legal strategies. Call (201) 997-0030 today to arrange a free consultation with one of our dog bite lawyers.
