What steps should you take after a dog bite?

After a serious dog bite injury, there are so many thoughts and fears running through your head that it’s hard to determine your next steps. The pain of your injuries and the shock that this whole ordeal is really happening can add to your distress. Our South Jersey dog bite lawyers recognize how traumatic this experience can be, but we also know how important it is to protect your rights and your chances of physical recovery. The steps we recommend taking as soon as possible include: Identifying the dog that bit you and its owner Getting the owner’s contact and insurance information Calling 911 to report a serious bite and request emergency medical assistance or, if not an emergency, reporting the attack to animal control Taking photographs or videos documenting the incident, including your visible injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog’s presence at the location Undergoing a thorough medical examination as soon as possible at a hospital, urgent care clinic, or doctor’s office, even if you got checked out by emergency medical personnel at the scene Speaking to experienced dog bite injury attorneys in Atlantic City, NJ, about your legal rights and your options for recovering compensation through an insurance claim Taking the right steps can help you build a strong foundation for your claim, but missing crucial steps could undermine your case for receiving full compensation.

What compensation can you receive through a dog bite injury claim?

In our clients’ personal injury claims, our South Jersey dog bite lawyers seek compensation for all types of economic and non-economic damages. The types of damages we aim to recover include: Your medical costs, such as emergency room bills, diagnostic testing, medical and surgical interventions, medications, and physical therapy Any projected future rehabilitation costs Loss of income during recovery Any decrease in your future earning capacity because of long-term injuries Scarring and permanent disfigurement Pain and suffering, including emotional distress Wrongful death damages for families of fatally injured victims You’re entitled to full compensation for all legally recognized losses, and our focus is to recover maximum damages for you.

What is the statute of limitations on a dog bite in New Jersey?

For most dog bite injury cases in New Jersey, the statute of limitations allows you just two years to file a claim. However, there are exceptions, such as cases involving victims who are minors. Early attorney intervention ensures you understand which deadlines apply to your case. Retaining an attorney promptly also allows for the proactive gathering of evidence and preparation of your case.

Why should you hire an experienced law firm for a dog bite injury claim?

You might wonder what advantages having an attorney offers you when NJ law holds pet owners strictly liable for dog bites. Despite this legal framework, getting full compensation for your claim isn’t easy. You still need to establish that the defendant owned the dog that bit you, document the damages and resulting injuries the bite caused, and fulfill the demands of the claims process, including paperwork, deadlines, and proceedings. Insurance companies aren’t eager to pay claims and will often attempt to decrease or delay settlements or deny the claim altogether. With our South Jersey dog bite lawyers handling your case, you can focus on getting better instead of managing a claim while still on track to receive the compensation you deserve.

South Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers | Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in Atlantic City, NJ

Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in Atlantic City, NJ Holding Dog Owners Accountable in Atlantic County, Cape May County, Ocean County, and Throughout New Jersey

Each year, dog bites send hundreds of thousands of Americans to the emergency room. If you’ve sustained a significant injury from someone else’s dog, you may be eligible for compensation through an insurance claim. Our South Jersey dog bite lawyers assist victims in getting maximum compensation that helps them recover from their injuries and move forward with their lives.

Dog bite claims pose plenty of challenges, from having to identify the owner of a stray dog to determining how to move forward when injured by a friend’s pet. Our team has the legal knowledge to help you address the complications and preserve your legal rights. Contact us today to discuss your options during a free consultation with experienced dog bite injury attorneys in Atlantic City, NJ.

Seeking Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in Atlantic City and Throughout South Jersey

Your right to recover compensation for dog bite injuries is entrenched in state law. Our role as your South Jersey dog bite lawyers will be to guide you through the claims process and ensure your case reflects the full extent of your damages.

Dog owners are subject to strict liability under NJ law. Per Section 4:19-16 of New Jersey Statutes, the owner of a dog that bites a person is liable for the victim’s damages if the attack occurred either in a public place or a private place at which your presence was lawful. This means you could be eligible for compensation if the bite involved someone’s pet who was running loose on the street, a dog at a designated dog park, or a dog on private property, including its owner’s home, that you were invited to visit.

In some states, dog owners can only be held accountable if their dog has an established history of aggression or if the owner failed to use reasonable care in restraining the dog. That’s not the case in New Jersey, in which a dog owner is strictly liable for the harm their pet causes even if there is no such bite history or negligent conduct.

Dog bite injury settlements are generally paid out by insurance policies, such as a homeowners or renters insurance policy, rather than the dog owner personally.

Serious Injuries From Dog Bites

Most dog bites result in only minor injuries. Approximately one in five bites is serious enough to require medical attention, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported. Some of these injuries can heal fully with little more intervention beyond the initial medical evaluation. However, recovery from other injuries is a much longer and more difficult ordeal.

The South Jersey dog bite lawyers at Lipari & Deiter represent victims whose injuries include:

Bruises and serious contusions
Scrapes, scratches, and abrasions
Cuts and lacerations
Puncture wounds
Nerve damage
Broken bones
Damage to the spinal cord or brain
Facial injuries
Infection
Scarring

These injuries can result in significant pain that lasts for weeks, months, or potentially a lifetime. Some dog bite injuries impact your mobility and inhibit your independence.

You may need stitches, prescription medications, follow-up appointments, surgery, and physical therapy just to achieve the most complete recovery possible. All the while, your injuries could potentially keep you out of work or limit your ability to handle your usual tasks around the house. If your injury results in long-term damage, you could be looking at a lifetime of limitations, medical expenses, and reduced earning capacity.

Our dog bite injury attorneys in Atlantic City, NJ, help victims get compensation for all of these losses and more. The medical costs you’re facing, the income loss you’re reeling from, and the pain and suffering you’re going through all warrant compensation, and we’re prepared to help you secure that compensation.

How Lipari & Deiter Can Help

The team of South Jersey dog bite lawyers at Lipari & Deiter provides comprehensive legal support to manage victims’ claims and secure them monetary damages. The work we do to build our clients’ claims for success includes:

Gathering evidence identifying the dog and its owner, establishing that the owner is subject to NJ’s strict liability laws, and documenting the victim’s damages
Preparing claims for compensation, including handling paperwork, deadlines, and submission of documentation
Handling all interactions with the insurance company
If needed, filing a complaint to initiate the litigation process
Representing clients throughout the claims process and all legal proceedings, from settlement negotiations to trials

We are committed to getting results for the injured, and we have the track record to prove it.

Why Choose Lipari & Deiter?

Our team of South Jersey dog bite lawyers is known for experience, results, and representation without upfront costs.

An Experienced Team Building Your Claim for Success

When you retain our firm to handle your claim, you get a full team of dog bite injury attorneys in Atlantic City, NJ, on your side. Our lawyers bring decades of combined experience in legal practice to each case. As we investigate the attack against you and prepare your claim, we draw on our extensive background in securing our clients fair settlements, even in complicated cases.

A Focus on Results

Your recovery from a dog bite depends on your ability to afford the medical care you need and make it through the other physical, emotional, and financial hardships that result from your injury. At Lipari & Deiter, we prioritize results. By working diligently to recover every dollar of compensation our clients deserve, we can help you overcome the challenges of a dog bite injury and take back control of your life.

No Fee Unless We Win Money for You

A serious dog bite injury poses enough of a financial hardship on its own without the additional burden of paying for legal assistance. However, having professional guidance and representation is important for achieving the full potential payout you’re entitled to. Lipari & Deiter handle claims at no upfront cost so that injured victims don’t have to choose between taking on more financial stress and securing the results they deserve. You can benefit from the skills, knowledge, and dedicated representation of experienced dog bite injury attorneys in Atlantic City, NJ, without any upfront fees.

Contact the South Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers at Lipari & Deiter Today for a Free Case Review

You’re in the best position to recover maximum compensation for your claim when your case is diligently prepared with a professional level of skill. With the offer of a free consultation and representation at no upfront cost, you can find out for yourself how a seasoned personal injury lawyer can assist you.

For help from dog bite injury attorneys in Atlantic City, NJ, contact Lipari & Deiter online or call 609.645.9400 today.