Dog Bites and Personal Injury

Dog Bite Lawyers

Serving Dog Bite Victims in NJ, PA, and MD

Dogs have earned the nickname “man’s best friend” because, most of the time, they are friendly, gentle, loving and, loyal. But the fact is that any dog can bite if provoked or as a reaction to something. The dog may be scared, startled, not feeling well, playing or protecting their food/toys or owner(s)/ house from perceived danger.

Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs, with more than 800,000 (almost 1 in 5) requiring medical attention. Half of the victims are children (Centers for Disease Control).

Injuries can be relatively minor to severe, requiring hospitalization and surgery, and resulting in permanent scarring or disfigurement. Additionally, many dog bite victims suffer psychological trauma from being attacked and have a perpetual fear of dogs.

What You Need to Know if You are Bitten by a Dog

 Most states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, impose strict statutory liability for dog attacks, making the owner of a dog legally liable to a victim who was bitten regardless of whether the defendant could have done anything to prevent the incident.

 The typical strict liability dog bite statute says that the defendant is liable if his dog bit a plaintiff and:

1. The plaintiff was legally allowed to be where he was when the bite occurred and;
2. The plaintiff did not provoke the dog.

A dog bite victim is entitled to recover damages and losses through the dog owner’s insurance company and, in some cases, from the owner. Home and renter’s insurance policies normally cover dog-bite liability, with anywhere from $100,000 to $300,000 worth of coverage. If a claim exceeds the liability limit, the dog owner is responsible for any damages above that amount, including legal expenses. A liability policy also provides no-fault medical coverage for a dog bite, generally worth $1,000 to $5,000. (Source: insuranceQuotes.com)

If you are bitten by a dog, it’s also important to take specific steps after the incident to protect your rights. Click here to read our dog bite checklist.