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April 10, 2023 - Dog Injuries

The Steps to Take after a Dog Bite in New Jersey

The shock and terror that comes with being attacked by someone else’s dog can leave you in a state of confusion – with no idea regarding how best to proceed. The losses associated with a serious dog bite can be considerable, which makes bringing your strongest dog bite claim important to your ability to fully recover. In a situation this challenging, having an experienced New Jersey dog bite lawyer in your corner is always in your best interest. 

Seeking Medical Attention: What to Do After a Dog Bite in New Jersey

The most important first step you can take after being attacked by someone else’s dog is to seek the immediate medical attention that you need. 

When to Seek Medical Care

The Mayo Clinic shares that immediate medical attention is called for when any of the following apply:

 

  • You aren’t sure how serious the bite is.
  • The animal’s teeth clearly punctured your skin.
  • Your skin is torn, crushed, or bleeding – all of which are common to dog bites. 
  • You are experiencing increased redness, swelling, pain, or oozing – all of which are signs that the wound may be dangerously infected.
  • You aren’t sure if the dog’s been vaccinated for rabies. 
  • You haven’t had a tetanus shot in 5 years – if the wound appears serious – or in 10 years – if the wound appears less so.

 

Risk Factors

It’s important to keep all the following risk factors in mind in relation to dog bites:

 

  • Dog bites are highly susceptible to infection and scarring.
  • When a dog bite is on the hand, which is common, it can lead to complex challenges related to range of motion and ease of movement. 
  • A dog bite on the face can be permanently disfiguring.
  • Dog bite wounds tend to be more like jagged tears than cuts, which makes them slower to heal and more likely to cause serious scarring. 

 

Treatment

Treatment for dog bite wounds can include all the following:

 

  • Wound irrigation
  • Treatment with antibiotics
  • Stitches to close the wound
  • Wound dressings
  • Surgery and aftercare – for serious injuries

 

Reporting the Incident: Who to Notify after a Dog Bite in New Jersey

If someone else’s dog bites and injures you or someone you love, it’s important to take the matter very seriously. After seeking the medical attention that you need to address your recovery, it’s important to alert the authorities. Doing so can help to ensure that the dog in question doesn’t go on to harm anyone else, which makes it worthy of your effort. 

Your Local Health Department

If you are bitten by a dog that’s not your own, ​​the New Jersey Department of Health advises you to do both the following as soon as possible:

 

  • Obtain the medical attention that you need
  • Notify your local health department

 

By notifying the health department, you instigate a process that is designed to ensure the dog’s rabies vaccinations are current. While rare, dogs can carry rabies, and notifying the authorities diminishes this threat. Further, when you alert the authorities – you draw their attention to an animal that may pose a larger threat in terms of attacking others. 

One-Bite Laws

Some states basically give dog owners the benefit of the doubt when it comes to their pets by implementing one-bite laws that put pet owners on warning after their dogs have bitten someone – or have otherwise shown their propensity for aggression – a first time. This is not the case, however, in New Jersey. A dog owner can be held liable for the damages their pet causes in an attack, even if the dog showed no inclination toward aggression in the past. Nevertheless, reporting your bite to the health department provides it with important information to take whatever precautions it deems necessary in relation to keeping the public at large safe. 

Documenting the Injury: Gathering Evidence After a Dog Bite in New Jersey

If a dog attack leaves you injured, obtaining fair compensation that covers your complete physical, financial, and emotional losses is key. This makes building your strongest claim paramount, and the strength of your claim will hinge upon the strength of your evidence.

The Elements of Your Claim

In order to bring a successful dog bite claim in the State of New Jersey, you must establish three primary elements, including:

 

  • The party whom you accuse of being at fault is the owner of the dog in question.
  • The dog bit and injured you.
  • You were either in a public place or were lawfully in a private place at the time of the bite. 

 

In other words, the only time you wouldn’t be legally protected in relation to a dog bite is if you were illegally trespassing at the time of the attack. Provoking a dog to react aggressively can also mitigate the dog owner’s liability. These circumstances, however, are rare.

Evidence and Your Claim

The more convincing the supporting evidence, the stronger your claim will be, and such evidence can take all of the following forms:

 

  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Any photos or videos captured at the scene of the attack
  • Your related medical records
  • Photos of your wounds in the wake of the attack
  • Your doctor’s testimony
  • The testimony of experts in the field of dog attacks
  • An accounting of your emotional pain and suffering, which can include the testimony of those closest to you
  • An accounting of your losses as they relate to your income, including pay stubs and information related to any lost earning potential as a result of your injuries

 

Overall Legal Damages

The evidence in your claim will be used not only to demonstrate the dog owner’s liability but also to catalog your losses – or legal damages – which fall into three primary categories. 

Medical Bills

The medical bills associated with a serious dog bite can be considerable and ongoing. Dangerous infections are very common to dog bites, which can make the healing process take considerably longer than it otherwise would. Further, when dog bites affect delicate jointed areas, such as the hands, wrists, or ankles, the physical impairments often require long-term care that can include intensive physical and occupational therapy. 

Lost Income

A dog bite can interfere with your ability to do your job, and when it does, it comes with a hefty price tag. When a dog bite reduces your overall earning power or thwarts the trajectory of your career, the financial effects are that much more severe. 

Pain and Suffering

The physical and emotional pain and suffering associated with being attacked by an unknown dog can be difficult to overstate. Many victims of such attacks experience PTSD-like symptoms that can leave them with an immense fear of dogs generally, and that can impede their ability to continue enjoying the outdoors. 

Contacting an Attorney: Why You Need Legal Help after a Dog Bite in New Jersey

The most important step you can take – after seeking medical care – in response to a dog bite in New Jersey is reaching out for the professional legal guidance of a dedicated dog bite attorney. The fact is that, without the compensation to which you are entitled, regaining your health and well-being can be out of reach, and without legal counsel on your side, obtaining that compensation becomes less likely. 

 

In pursuit of your claim’s most favorable resolution, your seasoned dog bite lawyer will skillfully engage in all the following:

 

  • Gathering and meticulously compiling all the evidence relevant to your claim
  • Crafting your strongest claim – making it far more difficult for the involved insurance company to deny 
  • Helping you successfully navigate the claims process and make the right decisions for you along the way
  • Helping you to avoid the pitfalls that are most likely to trip up claimants in dog bite cases, including being bullied into making claim-damaging statements by insurance companies and inadvertently posting claim-damaging photos and comments on social media
  • Assessing your complete damages and knowledgeably advocating for a settlement that fairly addresses them
  • Preparing to take your case to trial – in the face of stalled negotiations on the part of the insurance company

  

To learn about the many things we can assist with in your case, it is best to reach out for a free case evaluation. We can assess your situation and advise you what to expect following your dog bite injury. 

An Experienced New Jersey Dog Bite Liability Lawyer Is on Your Side

Being attacked by someone else’s dog is often as terrifying as it is dangerous, and the losses you suffer as a result can be overwhelming. David J. Cowhey is a formidable dog bite liability attorney at the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer who understands the gravity of your situation and has the experience and resources to help. 

 

Because obtaining fair compensation is pivotal to your ability to recover, our trusted legal team is committed to focusing the full scope of its imposing legal insight in pursuit of your claim’s best possible resolution. For more information about what we can do for you, please reach out to us through our online form or call us at (866) 259-4377 today.

  • Seeking Medical Attention: What to Do After a Dog Bite in New Jersey
  • Reporting the Incident: Who to Notify after a Dog Bite in New Jersey 
  • Documenting the Injury: Gathering Evidence After a Dog Bite in New Jersey
  • Contacting an Attorney: Why You Need Legal Help after a Dog Bite in New Jersey
  • An Experienced New Jersey Dog Bite Liability Lawyer Is on Your Side

I’ve been bitten by a dog

Talk to The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer, New Jersey's most experienced and successful dog bite attorney.

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# (609) 513-0627

Dave was awesome helping me through the nightmare world of insurance claims after my daughter was attacked by a neighbors dog. Dave is very friendly, always available and extremally knowledgeable and connected to this process. I highly recommend you call him about your case,

John L.

David Cowhey, Esq. did a great job for my daughter, who had been bit by a dog and left with a scar on her leg. He is an extremely competent and responsive attorney. The whole process was very easy and he negotiated a great settlement! We are very happy. Highly recommend his professional services!!

J S

My experience with David Cowhey was amazing, he is a very knowledgeable and helpful lawyer. I got bit by a dog and it left a very noticeable scar on my leg and David was great to have on my side. He’s very easy to work with, would definitely recommend if you’re going through the same thing!

Michaela S.

Dave is so professional. My daughter was 6 when she was attacked by a friend of the family dog. I contacted Dave’s office and spoke with his secretary. She was so friendly and asked questions that made me feel comfortable. I was amazed by how fast the service was and everything was easy to understand. Dave made sure my daughter was compensated for her injuries and along with pain & suffering. There couldn’t be a more perfect choice but that’s because God helped me choose this great lawyer! He did an excellent job!!! She is 7 now and We are now able to move on better because of the help of Dave. Pick this lawyer!! I PROMISE YOU WONT REGRET ANYTHING AT ALL‼️ Thank you Dave!

Nieja M,

My entire experience with Dave and his team was 5 stars. They specialize in one thing, and this experience taught me why you want an attorney who specializes. Dave's knowledge, experience, and confidence is what made things go smoothly and quickly. Professional and quick responses always. If someone was bitten by a dog I recommend this guy, he will get you what you deserve.

Morgan K.

My wife got bit by a dog last spring; she immediately received medical care and we made a police report- all within 2 hours. Shortly thereafter, we decided to choose Attorney David to represent her. He walked us through the process. It is much more comfortable knowing that his practice only involves dog bites. He knows his stuff! We have just received notice that a fair settlement has been reached. If you have been bitten by a dog, my wife and I would highly recommend David Cowhey for an attorney. Thank you to David and his professional staff!

David D.

My 8 year old son was bitten by a neighborhood dog, leaving permanent scars on his abdomen. I immediately contacted David Cowhey. He explained the process very clearly and made it very easy for us to come to a fair settlement for my son. He was a perfect advocate for us, and he is very compassionate for the victim. We are very pleased with the hard work David has done for our son.

Stephanie D.

Lawyer Dave Cowhey (& his office) helped my wife, son and me immensely over the past 15 months. He is tremendously professional, responsive and proactive, as well as being, a great attorney. Thanks to Dave, we are now able to put our 'incident' behind us. I highly recommend his services - he will work hard and long for you to get you the settlement you deserve.

Seth K G

My experience with Dave and his law firm was wonderful. While I was nervous to start the process of something that I knew nothing about, he was extremely helpful and explained everything clearly and concisely. He answered all of my questions - day or night, weekday or weekend, and made sure I was comfortable at each step. I would highly recommend Dave and his firm!

Ariella L.

I absolutely loved my entire time of working with with Dave. He always kept my best interest in mind and made sure that I was taking care of. He was amazing at communicating all steps in the process with me, and never hesitated to answer any of my questions. Would highly recommend!

Amanda G.

Dave was extremely responsive and guided me thru the process with compassion. His specialization in dog bites really helped facilitate the process. He knows all the insurance issues and, despite the backlog of cases due to Covid, was able to settle my claim for more than we anticipated as well as earlier. I would definitely recommend Dave as I felt comfortable that I was getting the best advice every step of the way!

Kristen J.

Dave did extremely well by me and my family. He was nothing short of professional and assisted us through the entire process. I called him the day of the dog bite, and I followed his instructions to the "T". Him, and his staff, were knowledgeable on every step of the process. From medical advise, to advise on setting up our structured settlement for our child. If you need help right away, don't wait.... call him asap!!!

William W.

Dave was amazing, he handled my case with care , answered every question , email and helped me to understand the steps we needed to take. I had never dealt with a lawsuit before so of course I was nervous and thought I was going to get ripped off but nope. He was very professional and attentive. Hope I never need him again but should I ever need a lawyer for a dog bite i'm calling him first!

Neyia W.

Dave Cowhey was amazing during our case which was very personal in the sense that involved family members. He was candid and professional and always gave us his honest opinion to all our questions and concerns. He's a family man and understands how upsetting the situations are at hand. I wish he was a lawyer for everything honestly, he was fantastic! Highly recommended Dave and his team.

Courtney R.

My one year old dog and I were viciously attacked by a pit bull. I didn’t want to file a law suit initially until I realized the severity of the injuries both mentally and physically. Most lawyers are all about the money not for the justice and compassion of the victim. I am blessed to have found David. He was our hero who understood our situation was efficient knowledgeable and above all sincerely compassionate

Karol M.

Dave was hands on and always available. Steered me through the entire process and helped cover my medical costs and compensation for my scar and injury. Went over and Beyond and made me feel at ease and confident in a positive outcome. Would recommend to all.

COACH B

Honest, fast, responsive and professional. Great experience working with Mr. Cowhey and I highly recommend to handle any dog bite case.

Lilian P.

We contacted Dave when our 5 year old son was attacked by our neighbor's dog, resulting in deep wounds (and now scars) on his face and arm. Dave was extremely knowledgeable/helpful from the start, explaining how everything would work, and he was always available via phone/text if we had questions come up throughout the process. He always gave us all of the options/routes we could take and let us decide what was the best move for our family. He advocated for the best outcome for our son and always kept us in the loop. We were able to settle in a friendly hearing with the homeowner-insurance company, which was simple and straightforward, thanks to all of Dave's hard work behind-the-scenes. We definitely could not have navigated this process ourselves and we are very thankful for the help of Dave and his team!

Elisa H.

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