Mercer County NJ Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
Personal Injury Attorneys with Offices in Hamilton and Pennington, NJ
Dog bite injuries result in a high number of personal injury claims in New Jersey and throughout the United States. This is because far too many dog owners neglect to take necessary precautions to prevent their dogs from running loose and attacking passersby. Although most dogs are friendly pets, some dogs are predatory by nature. These predatory dogs can cause catastrophic damage if they are allowed to roam free. Regardless of the breed or history of a particular dog, it is imperative that all dog owners take great care to ensure that their dogs are properly trained and socialized; this is the best way to protect the public against dog bite injuries. When an owner fails to do this, they need to be held accountable.
The personal injury lawyers at Cohen & Riechelson have been fighting for the rights of dog bite victims in Mercer County and New Jersey since 1972. We appear regularly in courtrooms throughout Mercer County, NJ, including Hightstown, Pennington, and West Windsor. We will fight for you during the settlement process and in court so that you receive fair and just compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other hardships. Call CR now to explore your legal options.
New Jersey Dog Bite Laws
Dog owners in New Jersey have a legal duty to control their dogs’ actions.
In New Jersey, a dog owner is liable when their dog bites a person while the person is in a public area or in a private place. Moreover, New Jersey law imposes strict liability on dog owners in these cases. This means that even if the dog does not have a history of violent behavior, the owner can be held liable for damage inflicted by the animal.
Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in Mercer County, NJ
Depending upon the severity of your dog bite injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Pain and Suffering: Dog attacks can result in significant physical damage, including broken bones and soft tissue damage.
- Medical Bills: A dog attack often requires urgent medical care. If your injuries compel an emergency room visit, you may be on the hook for costly medical bills.
- Future Medical Care: Your dog bite injuries could necessitate significant medical costs in the future. You may require crutches, braces, physical therapy, rehabilitation, scar-reduction treatments, and pain medication.
- Emotional Trauma: Victims of a vicious dog attack often require therapy to deal with emotional scarring. For example, a child who has been bitten by a dog might suffer nightmares or trauma as a result of the attack.
- Lost Wages: Severe injuries can prevent a dog bite victim from returning to work for an extended period of time.
- Wrongful Death Claims: If your loved one was fatally attacked by a dog, you may seek compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Resolving a Dog Bite Case in Lawrence NJ
An attorney should fully investigate your case and gather any and all evidence needed to back up your claim. For example, your attorney can interview witnesses, obtain police reports and witness statements, and secure documents that prove dog ownership.
Additionally, your attorney should find out if the dog has a history of attacks. Determining the dog’s propensity for viciousness might require your attorney to speak with former owners of the dog, local mail carriers, gas and utility company workers, telephone company employees, and gardeners who visit the property on a regular basis. Your attorney can also examine animal control records and veterinarian records.
Contact US for a Free Consultation with a Princeton NJ Dog Bite Attorney
If you have been attacked by an out-of-control dog, you should not have to pay your own medical bills. Cohen & Riechelson will help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (609) 528-2596 to discuss your situation, or fill out the online contact form to schedule a meeting at our offices in Hamilton or Pennington.