DiLorenzo & Rush | Counselors of Law
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What are your rights if you are bitten by a dog?

On Behalf of | Apr 9, 2021 | Personal Injury

Dogs are good companions and provide their owners with unconditional love, making them a very popular pet. However, even the most well-behaved dog can lash out and bite someone. If you were bitten by a dog, you may want to pursue compensation.

New Jersey dog bite laws

New Jersey law takes a strict liability approach to dog bites. This means that you do not need to show that the dog was known to be vicious in order to pursue a lawsuit. However, in order to file a claim for a dog bite, you must have been on public property or legally on private property.

What if I was injured indirectly by a loose dog?

While dog attacks fall under the law of strict liability, this does not apply if you were indirectly injured by a loose dog, for example, if you were driving and had to swerve to avoid hitting a dog leading to a car crash. In this situation, you will need to prove the dog owner was negligent. To do so, you need to show the owner breached their duty to control the dog, and this breach caused you to suffer injuries.

Learn more about dog bites in New Jersey

Dog bites can cause serious injuries, disfigurement and emotional trauma. Therefore, it is important to understand your rights if you are bitten by a dog. This post is for educational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Those who want to learn more about dog bites in New Jersey can explore our firm’s website for further information.