Liability for Dog Bites During Holiday Parties in New Jersey

The holidays are just around the corner and before you know it, the invitations to holiday parties will start rolling in. Before you fill in your planner with all the festive events, it’s a good idea to go over safety tips and discuss the risk of dog bites. Household parties may have loose dogs, which could result in a dog bite. If this happens, who is liable for the injury?

Dog Bite Liability in New Jersey

New Jersey has strict liability laws for dog bite claims. This means that if a dog bites you, the owner is always liable. If you incur significant damages due to a dog bite, you are eligible to file a personal injury claim.

You may be able to sue for the following types of damages:

Medical bills
Future medical costs
Rehabilitative costs
Lost wages

In some cases, you may be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering, depending on the extent of the dog bite. Dog bites can be painful, sometimes leading to emotional suffering.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite

You never expect to be bitten by a dog when you’re visiting a family member or friend at their home for the holidays. A dog bite is always a possibility as it can be difficult for owners to predict how their dog will act in a large crowd. Additionally, some dogs may be driven to aggression when food is around, such as during the holidays.

It’s important to protect your health and safety, as well as your legal rights when a dog bite occurs. It’s always a good idea to receive medical care as soon as possible. Even if the injury doesn’t look bad at first, it can get worse over time. It can also become infected, which can lead to additional medical concerns.

Always visit a medical provider following a dog bite. If the injury is severe, seek emergency care as soon as possible. The medical provider will likely ask if the dog is up to date on its vaccinations. You may be able to get this information from the dog’s owner, which is important so they know what shots to give you.

If possible, it can also be helpful to collect evidence. This may include photographs of your injury. It may also include witness statements.

What to Expect After Filing a Dog Bite Claim

After filing a dog bite claim, you can expect an animal control officer in your city to investigate the situation. They will also verify that the dog is up to date on its vaccinations, specifically their rabies shot. Depending on the city and county, they may impose further fines or restrictions on the dog. If the dog has attacked previously, they may take further action.

If your holiday celebrations turn bad this year because of a dog bite, it may be helpful to reach out to a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate your case, while also calculating its value. It’s important to your case to know how much financial cost and damages the dog bite caused you.

Read more: Do I Have A Personal Injury Case?

Contact a Hudson County Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Dog Bite Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a dog bite in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Birkhold & Maider, LLC represent clients injured because of a dog bite in Essex County, Hudson County, Mercer County, Union County, and throughout New Jersey. Call (973) 947-4670 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 189 Franklin Avenue, Suite 1 Nutley, NJ 07110, as well as a satellite office in Hamilton, NJ.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.