How to Secure Compensation for New Jersey Facial Dog Bite Victims

• Dan T. Matrafajlo
• Thu Jan 2025
• Dog Bite,
• 0

Dog bites can leave victims with horrific injuries, especially when the dog attacks a person’s face. According to the World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, “Dog bite injuries remain a public health concern for two key reasons: the physical threat to health following attack and the infective sequelae a canine bite can incur. Facial bite injuries can result in significant emotional, psychological and physical trauma to victims involved.” The following guide will help walk victims through the steps that they should take in order to secure compensation for their injuries.

Report the Incident to the Authorities

Any dog attack resulting in serious injuries should be reported to the police or animal control. This will begin the process of investigating the attack. Among other things, authorities will seek to determine the owner of the dog, the history of the dog, and the circumstances of the attack. By doing this, an official record is being created that victims can then use in the event of a potential lawsuit.

Seek Medical Attention 

It is crucial that victims of dog attacks seek medical attention as early as possible. Even when a bite wound may seem superficial, victims may become contaminated with dangerous bacteria from the saliva of the dog. This could potentially lead to a life-threatening infection and septic shock. The medical attention that victims receive will create an additional record of the incident that can be used to strengthen your case.

Consider Plastic Surgery

Any type of dog bite to the face can result in significant scarring and disfigurement. Emergency room doctors are only concerned with stabilizing patients and keeping them healthy. They are not primarily concerned with how an injury may affect their patient’s appearance. This is where a plastic surgeon can be enormously helpful. There are several reasons people who sustain facial injuries from dog attacks should consider plastic surgery.

• Dog bites often cause deep lacerations. Plastic surgery can help minimize scarring and improve aesthetic outcomes.
• Visible scars or disfigurement can cause people to suffer anxiety and become more self-conscious. Corrective surgery can help victims regain their confidence.
• Plastic surgery can help restore the functionality of facial muscles, nerves, and tissue damaged as a result of the attack.

When an injury from a dog bite requires reconstructive surgery, victims will be able to recover the costs of the procedure through an injury claim. This can help offset many of the higher medical costs associated with treating facial injuries that result from a dog bite.

Understanding New Jersey Dog Bite Liability Laws

New Jersey is one of several states that adjudicates dog bite injury claims on a strict liability basis. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, “The owner of any dog which shall bite a person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.” As long as you weren’t trespassing or provoking a dog in New Jersey, the owner will typically be liable if they bite you.

Document All of the Expenses Related to Your Case

One of the most important parts of securing compensation for your dog bite claim is documenting all of the expenses that you incur. What follows are some of the more important expenses that you will need to keep track of.

• Medical Expenses: Keep track of all medical bills, including ambulance fees, emergency room treatments, and hospital stays.
• Surgery Costs: Many victims of dog bites to the face will need to undergo reconstructive surgery to minimize scarring and restore functionality.
• Medications: A dog bite will typically require that patients take antibiotics, painkillers, and other prescriptions.
• Physical Therapy: It is common for victims of dog bites to undergo extensive physical therapy to restore functionality to certain muscles.
• Lost Wages: Keep track of the number of days that you need to take away from work in order to recover.
• Reduced Earning Capacity: Some people may sustain a reduced earning capacity as a result of their injuries from a dog attack.

In addition to the economic damages mentioned above. It is also important for victims to keep records of the pain and suffering that they endure. This will be important in determining the value of your case. Courts will also take into consideration how an injury impacts a person’s overall quality of life.

Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer

Many victims of dog attacks feel completely lost and powerless as a result of their injuries. This is particularly true when a person sustains traumatic injuries to their face. One of the best things that you can do after a dog bite is contact a dog bite injury lawyer.

• An attorney can examine the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued.
• An attorney can help collect all relevant evidence related to your claim in order to make it as strong as possible.
• An attorney can help negotiate a settlement on favorable terms.
• If the opposing insurance party doesn’t want to offer a fair settlement, an attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf.

Seeking the help of any attorney can often mean the difference between winning or losing your injury claim. Insurance companies simply do not have your best interests in mind. They will do everything in their power to deny responsibility for dog bites or devalue claims when they can’t escape liability.

Getting Legal Help for Your Dog Bite Case

Being attacked and bitten by a dog can be one of the most traumatic and frightening experiences that most people will ever go through. The trauma of what happened can be amplified tenfold when the attack leaves the victims with severe facial disfigurement. But there is hope for victims of these attacks through the courts.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a dog attack? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our team of New Jersey dog bite lawyers is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims receive all of the medical and financial support that they need in order to make a full recovery. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we might be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at 908-355-7100