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February 28, 2023 - Blog, Dog Injuries

Unleashing the Truth: Understanding Dog Bite Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Dogs not only make great best friends but are also excellent companions. If, however, you or someone you care about is injured by a dog bite, the losses you suffer can be significant – and difficult to overcome. Obtaining fair compensation is critical to your overall recovery, but dog bite claims are challenging, which makes having an experienced New Jersey dog bite liability lawyer in your corner to your advantage. 

How Do You Negotiate a Dog Bite Settlement?

Dog bite lawsuit settlements are generally negotiated with the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance provider. It is important to note that – even though the involved insurance company is paid to cover your related physical, financial, and emotional losses – it is prepared to do what it can to keep its profits high, which includes keeping your settlement low. 

Common Tactics for Keeping Settlements Low

The following are common tactics that insurance companies turn to in order to help them keep dog bite settlements low:

 

  • Offering you an early settlement that does not take your complete physical, financial, and emotional losses into careful consideration
  • Denying your claim early in the process – hoping it will cause you to give up
  • Denying the extent of your complete losses
  • Attempting to shift fault toward you by implying you provoked the animal
  • Artificially extending or complicating the claims process

 

You’ll look to your dedicated dog bite liability lawyer to ably handle negotiations with the involved insurance company.

The Negotiation Process

The negotiation process involves your trusted dog bite liability lawyer carefully assessing your total losses and skillfully pursuing just compensation. This generally means going back and forth with the insurance company until a mutually acceptable settlement is reached. If, however, the insurance company refuses to make an offer that addresses your legal damages in their entirety, you’ll likely move forward by filing a lawsuit against them. From here, your focused lawyer will prepare to take your case to court – but the potential for settling remains on the table. In fact, by filing a lawsuit, you may inspire the insurance company to engage in more robust negotiations.   

What Is the Average Payout for a Dog Bite Claim?

One of the most important points to keep in mind when it comes to your dog bite claim is that it will not follow exactly the same path as any other claim and that its resolution will be similarly unique. Every dog bite claim covers specific categories of loss that need to be carefully explored in relation to an adequate settlement payout. 

Medical Expenses

Dog bites – according to the Mayo Clinic – are susceptible to serious infections, and the New Jersey Department of Health advises anyone who has suffered a dog bite to seek immediate medical care. In fact, dog bites are especially dangerous for all the following medical reasons:

 

  • Dog bites rip and tear more than cut, which makes them slow to heal and more susceptible to serious scarring. 
  • A bite that is near the face – or on it – can prove permanently disfiguring.
  • A bite that affects one’s hand can lead to long-term complications related to the hand’s intricate mechanics.

 

This category of loss needs to factor in current and ongoing expenses as well as those related to secondary health concerns. 

Lost Wages

A serious dog bite can keep you off the job for a considerable amount of time and could interfere with your ability to do your job moving forward. If you face lost earning potential, the damages you suffer will be that much more profound. Career-related losses can have emotional as well as financial consequences. 

Physical and Emotional Pain and Suffering

There is no denying that dog bites are physically painful injuries, but the extent of your emotional suffering can be difficult to overstate. Being attacked by someone else’s dog is a terrifying experience that can lead to considerable psychological effects. 

How We Handle Your Dog Bite Claim

At the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer, we recognize the complexity and significance of your claim, and we’re committed to skillfully advocating for a resolution that supports your most complete recovery. In the process, we capably take on all the following primary tasks:

 

  • Gathering and carefully compiling the available evidence
  • Building your strongest claim – reflecting your full range of losses
  • Skillfully negotiating for a fair settlement
  • Being well prepared to file a lawsuit against the insurance company and to fight for your rights in court
  • Helping you better understand the legal process and helping you make the right decisions for you along the way

 

A Note about New Jersey Dog Bite Laws

Some states have what is called a onebite rule that minimizes liability on the dog owner’s part when they’re not aware of their pet’s propensity to bite. Once a dog bites someone, however, the dog owner can be held legally liable. New Jersey, on the other hand, takes a strict liability stance, which means that dog owners bear the following primary responsibilities from the start:

 

  • Maintaining safe control of their dogs in public
  • Protecting others from bites – even when that means a first bite

 

The only exceptions to New Jersey’s strict liability for dog bites include:

 

  • The person bit by the dog was on the dog owner’s property illegally.
  • The person bit by the dog was provoking it at the time. 

 

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

If you have been injured by the bite of someone else’s dog, regaining your health and well-being is paramount. You should focus on your medical treatment and healing while an experienced attorney handles your financial recovery. 

 

David J. Cowhey at the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer is an accomplished dog bite liability lawyer who recognizes the gravity of your predicament and is committed to zealously pursuing an advantageous outcome that honors your rights and best interests. We are on your side and here to help, so please don’t delay contacting or calling us at 866-343-3181 for more information today.

  • How Do You Negotiate a Dog Bite Settlement?
  • What Is the Average Payout for a Dog Bite Claim?
  • How We Handle Your Dog Bite Claim
  • A Note about New Jersey Dog Bite Laws
  • 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.

or call us at

# (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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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.

or call us at

1 (609) 513-0627
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