If you have been bitten by a dog, it is generally in your best interest to seek medical attention. Dog bites can result in several types of injuries, ranging from mild to severe. Some common dog bite injuries may result in:
- Scratches
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Loss of a limb or other body part
- Infections, including rabies
- Crush injuries and fractures
- Permanent scarring
Dog owners in New Jersey may be strictly liable for dog bite injuries
Under New Jersey’s strict liability dog bite statute, dog owners may be held strictly liable for dog bite injuries caused by their dog, even if they were unaware of their dog’s dangerous propensities. To recover damages under the statute, you must prove:
- You suffered a dog bite injury
- The defendant owns the dog that caused your injury
- You were in a public place or lawfully in a private place at the time of the incident
- You did not provoke the dog
Dog owners may be liable for negligence
In addition to filing a claim under the strict liability statute, you may also file a negligence claim against the dog owner if they breached their duties by engaging in negligent acts that caused their dog to bite you. Here are some examples of dog owner negligence:
- Failure to abide by local leasing laws
- Failing to properly supervise the dog
- Failure to keep the dog in a secure area
- Failure to warn of the dog’s dangerous propensities
Serious dog bite injuries can impact your entire life and cause permanent harm. If your personal injury claim against the owner of the dog that bit you is successful, you may recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
