Why we are the smart choice for your dog bite case:
Serving Clients Across New Jersey
We handle cases anywhere in New Jersey so where you live doesn’t matter. We have four conveniently located offices in southern, central and northern New Jersey and make extensive use of Zoom technology. We have litigated dog bite cases in every county of the State.
Dog Bites it’s All We Do.
We are the only law firm in New Jersey to completely limit it’s practice to dog bite cases. Unlike larger firms, dog bites are not simply one of a dozen practice areas for us. We handle these cases exclusively 24/7.
Compassion
We treat every client as an individual with dignity and respect. Read our testimonials. They attest to the strong bonds we form with our clients.
Over 60 years of experience
Our partners, Dave Cowhey and Jennifer Cassett, have over 60 years combined experience and both have been certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Civil Trial Attorneys – an honor bestowed on less than 3% of New Jersey lawyers.
We Get Results
We have more six figure dog bite recoveries than any lawyer or law firm in New Jersey. We know the value of dog bite cases. We know the insurance companies and they know us.
Always Accessible
When you initially call, you speak with an attorney, not an intake person or receptionist like at a bigger firm. Our attorneys, Dave and Jennifer, both give their cell phone numbers to every client for easy communication.
We’ll do the work, you focus on healing
You’ve been through enough. Let us take over from here. As soon as you hire us we begin
by notifying the dog owner of our representation. They provide our information to their
insurance company.
We provide them with the information they need to open their file. Every case is diaried for
6 months to do a settlement demand. During that time we gather important documents like the police report, medical records, medical lien info and updated photos. Many of our cases settle between 6-9 months. If your case does not settle, we are uniquely qualified to litigate it to conclusion if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you schedule your free consultation with The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer, you should come prepared with specific questions for us to address. Some of the common questions clients ask us are:
Does it cost money to hire you?
No. We work on a completely contingent basis. We pay all expenses for the prosecution of your claim. At the end of the case, we subtract the costs from the gross recovery. The fee is one-third of the net recovery (25% in cases where the claimant is a minor). If you don’t recover, either by settlement or jury trial, you owe us nothing.
How does a dog bite case work?
The first thing we do is interview you to get as much information and facts as we can about your case. We then do a letter of representation to the dog owner, asking them to give it to their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance carrier. Once we establish contact with the insurance company, we give them the relevant information on your case, e.g. photos, police reports, medical records, doctor’s reports, etc. After 6 months pass from the original date of the dog bite, we send a demand letter to the insurance company and attempt to settle the case. If we cannot, we file a Complaint.
How long does the process take?
In a typical dog bite case, we set a date 6 months from the date of the bite to issue a demand letter to the dog owner’s insurance company, if the case is ready (if we have all the necessary information and documentation). About 75% of our cases settle at that time. If a Complaint has to be filed, the litigation process usually takes about a year.
Who pays my medical bills?
If you do not carry any health insurance, we will get the dog owner’s insurance company to pay for your bills. If you are insured, we will check with your insurance company to see if they will assert a lien against your potential recovery in your claim. If so, we get the dog owner’s insurance company to pay it. We will also assist you in getting any co-payments or deductibles paid.
What is my case worth?
We first must review the facts of your case, as it is difficult to estimate the amount of compensation you should receive without doing so. There are multiple factors that go into determining what you are owed, and it takes an attorney decades of experience to correctly identify your short-term and long-term losses. Mr. Cowhey will fight to recover all possible damages for you, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
