The general rule of thumb is that it is the dog owners responsibility to take care of their animal, and the owner is therefore responsible for any injuries sustained by a victim if bitten or attacked by their dog. New Jersey and Pennsylvania laws are very similar in this regard, with slight variations in the statutes as it relates to when, where and how the attack occurs.
In most cases, the dog owner will still be held liable even if they were not aware of the propensity for viciousness of the animal, however there are certain circumstances where the owner may not be held liable; for example if an individual was deemed to be trespassing on private property during the attack.
There´s is a difference in the law between Pennsylvania and New Jersey on dog bite cases. New Jersey has what is called strict liability that means your dog bites someone, you are strictly responsible for the damages they cost. Pennsylvania has a little bit more lee way but for the most part, if your dog in Pennsylvania bites someone you are going to pay the price. They don´t have strict liability. Everybody thinks that Pennsylvania has a one bite rule, that if the dog gets to bite one person and then after that they are responsible but it actually doesn´t work that way. If your dog bites someone, you are going to be responsible.
Dog Bite Liability Laws in New Jersey
N.J.S.A. 4:19-16 sets forth the legal requirements for dog bite liability in New Jersey. Under this state statute, a dog owner is liable for all the injuries caused by a dog that bites a person on or in a public place or lawfully in a private place (such as the dog owner’s residence).
Dog Bite Liability Laws in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law. Pennsylvania makes dog owners and keepers strictly liable for the payments of a victim’s medical costs. Full compensation is available only if the victim can prove that the dog owner, keeper or harborer was negligent or knew that the dog had dangerous propensities.
Physical and Emotional Injuries Resulting from a Dog Bite
The physical and emotional injuries that can result from a dog biting attack can be devastating, even more so when the victim is a child. Some of the most common dog bite injuries include:
- Broken or fractured bones and other crush-related injuries
- Open wounds and punctures
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Bruising
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Infections (including rabies, C canimorsus infections, cellulitis)
- Emotional trauma including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety
- Permanent scarring
- Nerve damage
- Facial fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
Contact a Trenton and Bensalem Dog Bite Lawyer Today to Protect Your Rights
The financial costs of treating the physical and emotional injuries caused by dog bites can be overwhelming to dog bite victims and their families. The first step in alleviating this unwanted financial stress is to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle your South Jersey dog bite case.
If you or someone you love have been victim of a vicious attack by a dog, either in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, contact the seasoned Personal Injury and Dog Bite lawyers of Cohen and Riechelson today to discuss your case in a free and confidential case evaluation. We handle these claims on both sides of the river, and we are here to protect you, your loved ones, and your finances as the medical bills and even plastic surgery expenses can be overwhelming.