What Are Your Legal Rights as a Dog Bite Victim?

If a dog attacked you or a loved one, you have legal rights. Specifically, you have the right to be compensated for the injuries from the attack.

There’s a fancy term that lawyers call this type of compensation - “damages”.

To seek these damages, contact a New Jersey dog attack law firm – The Law Office of Peter Briskin, P.C. – to represent you in your claim. The attorneys at this firm are knowledgeable about New Jersey dog bite laws and will zealously guard your interests.

Who’s Responsible for a Dog Attack?

New Jersey generally holds the dog owner responsible for a dog bite, regardless of whether the owner knew their canine was dangerous or vicious. For those dog owners that have liability insurance, their insurance company may be liable for the attack. Others, such as landlords or those exercising control and custody over the animal, may also be held responsible.

What Damages Can I Receive After a Dog Bite?

There are three types of damages available for a canine attack victim. These are economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

Economic damages are those directly attributable to the injury, such as medical expenses and lost income. Medical expenses not only cover past medical bills but also those medical needs anticipated in the future:

• Physician visits
• Pain medication prescriptions
• Lab tests like X-rays, MRIs, or blood tests
• Counseling.

Economic damages also include lost income due to the victim’s injuries. For example, if the dog bite victim misses a month at their job because they cannot work due to their injuries, they may be entitled to those lost wages.

Non-economic damages compensate the victim for the pain and suffering associated with their injury. While difficult to quantify, they are determined by a jury that uses its common sense and compassion to award the damages. A jury may consider the following factors and evidence:

• Severity and of the injury
• Length of time to recover
• Pain suffered
• Testimony by the victim and their friends and family
• Quantity of medical expenses.
• Long term residual effects of the injury.

Punitive damages may be awarded where the dog owner or other responsible party acted with conscious disregard for the safety of others. These damages are designed to punish the defendant and deter comparable conduct by others.

Dog Attack Attorneys are Here For You

A dog bite can be terrifying and cause serious injury. Recovering from an attack is hard enough worrying about medical bills or other losses. The Law Office of Peter Briskin, P.C., is a law firm you can trust. Contact us or call today for a free consultation at (908) 279-7979.