Sadly, a man’s best friend is not always friendly towards everyone. Dog bites are a common occurrence in Jersey City. If someone else’s dog bites you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It is important to contact an experienced Jersey City dog bite lawyer as soon as reasonably possible. Dog bites can span the range of minor to life-altering. Do not underestimate what you have been through. 

Dog Bite Injury Statistics

With 69 million households in the United States owning at least one dog, according to a 2021- 2022 pet owners survey, dogs are the most common type of pet across the U.S. 

  • Each day, nearly 1,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for nonfatal dog bite-related injuries.
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States.
  • New Jersey ranked number 9 for most dog bite claims nationwide in 2021 with 661 total claims. 
  • The average cost of each claim in the state was over $49,000. 
  • Nationally, homeowner insurers paid out $882 million in liability claims related to dog bites and other dog-related injuries in 2021.

Dog bites can result in costly medical bills you should not bear. Dogs can bite a person anywhere, but the most commonly attacked areas include the face, hands, legs, arms, and neck. These injuries are not only painful but can cause serious long-term issues such as nerve damage, broken bones, scarring, disfigurement, serious infections, and internal organ damage. 

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Jersey City

Anytime you sustain an injury, it is crucial to prioritize your health over everything else. A dog bite can have serious consequences, so it is often best to call emergency services or go to the hospital. If your injuries are not life-threatening and you feel you can take a moment to assess the situation, here are some actions to consider taking:

  • Call the police to file a report regarding the attack, 
  • Obtain contact information for the dog owner and any witnesses,
  • Take photos of your injuries,
  • Request vaccination records for the animal,
  • Do not admit fault of any kind, and 
  • Contact a Jersey City dog bite lawyer. 

The more information you can collect, the better. But again, the priority is your health. Bite wounds can easily become infected, and you don’t want to worsen the situation by second-guessing your need for medical attention. Medical records will also be important pieces of evidence when making your case. 

New Jersey Dog Bite Law

New Jersey imposes strict liability when it comes to dog bites. A dog owner is liable for any financial losses resulting from a dog bite causing serious injury, regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten someone or previously displayed violent tendencies. This is the case even if the dog owner used reasonable restraint or warned others that the dog could bite. In other words, a victim typically will not need to prove negligence on the dog owner’s part in a dog bite lawsuit. The dog owner may have a valid defense if the injured party was not lawfully on the premises where the bite occurred or if they intentionally provoked the dog. 

Another New Jersey rule to be aware of is that any domestic animal that scratches or bites someone must be placed in a 10-day quarantine at the owner’s expense. An Animal Control Officer or Health Officer will evaluate the animal after that period to determine if they are healthy or have something that could have been passed to the bitten person. 

A dog bite lawyer in Jersey City can help you determine the facts of your case and gather the necessary evidence to prove that you were not at fault for the bite. 

Contact a Jersey City Dog Bite Lawyer

The team at Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C. has represented dog bite victims in Jersey City for over three decades. It has secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements to help our clients recover and move forward from their serious injuries. Contact us to schedule your consultation, and never settle for less than you deserve.

Our Jersey City dog bit lawyers also handle the following types of cases: