New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers — Strict Liability Means Owners Pay

A dog bite can happen in seconds and cause lasting physical and emotional damage. Deep puncture wounds, torn tissue, broken bones, nerve damage, and severe infections are common. Children are the most frequent victims, and facial injuries from dog attacks can require years of reconstructive surgery.

Papa Alpha & Alpha Law represents dog bite victims in Springfield, Union County, and throughout New Jersey. New Jersey law strongly favors bite victims, and we make sure you receive the full compensation the law provides.

New Jersey's Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

New Jersey is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, a dog owner is liable for injuries caused by their dog biting another person, regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before and regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.

This is a significant advantage for bite victims. You do not need to prove:

• The dog had a history of aggression
• The owner knew the dog was dangerous
• The owner was negligent in controlling the dog

You only need to prove two things:

1. The defendant owned the dog that bit you.
2. You were in a public place or lawfully on private property when the bite occurred. This includes being on the owner's property as an invited guest, a mail carrier, a delivery person, or anyone else with a legal right to be there.

Trespassers generally cannot recover under the strict liability statute, though exceptions may apply for child trespassers.

Beyond Dog Bites: Other Dog Attack Injuries

The strict liability statute specifically addresses dog bites. But dog attacks cause other injuries too. A large dog that knocks you down, causing a broken hip or head injury, may not have technically bitten you.

For non-bite injuries, you may bring a negligence claim against the owner. This requires proving:

• The owner had a duty to control the dog
• The owner failed to exercise reasonable care
• That failure caused your injuries
• You suffered actual damages

Many dog attack cases involve both bite injuries and knockdown injuries. We pursue every available legal theory to maximize your recovery.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites cause a range of injuries from minor punctures to disfiguring trauma:

• Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
• Crush injuries from powerful jaws
• Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments
• Broken bones, especially in hands, arms, and faces
• Nerve damage causing numbness or loss of function
• Severe infections including rabies, MRSA, and sepsis
• Scarring and disfigurement requiring plastic surgery
• Emotional trauma, PTSD, and lasting fear of dogs

Children face the greatest risk of facial bites because of their height relative to dogs. Facial scarring from a childhood dog bite can affect a person for life.

Who Pays for Dog Bite Injuries?

In most cases, the dog owner's homeowner's insurance or renter's insurance covers dog bite liability. These policies typically include personal liability coverage ranging from $100,000 to $300,000 or more.

Some insurance policies exclude certain dog breeds or exclude coverage for dogs with a prior bite history. If the owner's insurance does not cover the claim, the owner is personally liable for damages.

If the dog bite occurred on commercial property, the business's liability insurance may also provide coverage. For example, if a dog attacks you in a pet store, a dog daycare, or a rental property, the business owner or landlord may share liability.

We identify every available source of compensation.

Compensation for Dog Bite Victims

New Jersey dog bite victims may recover:

• Medical expenses including emergency treatment, surgery, wound care, and follow-up visits
• Reconstructive and plastic surgery for scarring and disfigurement
• Future medical costs for ongoing treatment and revision surgeries
• Lost wages from time missed at work
• Pain and suffering for physical pain and emotional distress
• Emotional trauma including anxiety, PTSD, and fear of dogs
• Scarring and disfigurement damages reflecting the permanent impact on your appearance

Children's claims often involve particularly high damages because of the long-term impact of facial scarring and the emotional trauma of a dog attack at a young age.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

Protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Seek medical attention immediately. Dog bites carry a high infection risk. Get professional wound care right away.
2. Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner's name, address, and phone number. Ask for proof of the dog's rabies vaccination.
3. Report the bite to local animal control. New Jersey law requires dog bite reporting. Animal control will investigate and quarantine the dog if needed.
4. Document your injuries. Photograph the bite wounds, bruising, and any torn clothing immediately and throughout your recovery.
5. Do not give statements to the dog owner's insurance company without legal advice.
6. Call Papa Alpha & Alpha Law for a free evaluation of your case.

Filing Deadline

The statute of limitations for dog bite claims in New Jersey is two years from the date of the bite under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. For minor children, the statute generally does not begin to run until the child turns 18, but acting sooner preserves evidence and strengthens the claim.

Call Papa Alpha & Alpha Law Today

If you or your child was bitten or attacked by a dog in New Jersey, you have strong legal rights under the state's strict liability law. Call Papa Alpha & Alpha Law at (201) 555-0100 for your free consultation. We serve dog bite victims in Springfield, Union County, and across New Jersey. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.