New Jersey has a high incidence of dog bite injuries. In 2014, dog bites and attacks were responsible for more than 6,000 visits to emergency rooms, according to research published in 2017. Over 4.5 million dog bites are reported each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dog bites are incredibly common, but that doesn’t make them any less devastating for the victim. A dog bite can have devastating and long-lasting effects. As a result, you should seek the counsel of accomplished Maplewood dog bite lawyers.

At The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., we are dedicated to assisting those who have been injured in accidents or other occurrences to pursue financial recompense for their suffering. The attorneys at our firm have extensive expertise in pursuing compensation for victims of dog attacks. We have been able to obtain millions of dollars in compensation for dog bite victims over the past 30 years. If you retain our services, you can rest assured that we will provide your case with the full focus and energy it needs to succeed. Please contact us right away to set up a time for a no-cost evaluation of your situation.

We Will Fight For You If You Are Attacked By A Dog!

Unprovoked attacks like these can have devastating effects on vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with physical impairments who are unable to defend themselves. All dog owners in the state of New Jersey are responsible for paying for any and all medical expenses incurred as a consequence of a dog attack. In addition, if a dog is deemed a “dangerous dog,” its owners may be held financially responsible for any resulting medical expenses or lost income.

Any and all medical costs incurred as a result of an assault by a dog are the exclusive responsibility of the dog’s owner in the city of Maplewood. If a dog is considered hazardous, the owner may be held financially responsible for the victim’s injuries if the dog:

  • Attacks someone or something without provocation, resulting in injury or death.
  • Exhibits behavior that a reasonable person would conclude creates an immediate and substantial danger of great bodily harm or death to one or more people, pets, livestock, or other domesticated animals.
  • Attacks and maybe kills a service dog, guide dog, or hearing dog without provocation.

In order to best represent our client, we will want to gather as much information as possible about the dog’s history of aggression, including whether or not the dog has previously bitten or attacked anyone and whether or not the dog’s neighbors were afraid of it.

Typical injuries caused by dog bites

No matter the victim or the severity of the injury sustained, there is still hope in recovery and receiving the just compensation our clients deserve and are ultimately entitled to. Contact our dedicated team of Maplewood personal injury lawyers to discuss your options today.

  • Dog bite victims suffer from puncture wounds to severe deformity and scarring. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to dog attacks. Dogs often resort to snarling and biting when provoked. Sometimes a dog may strive to inflict as much damage as possible by biting the victim with its strong jaws. Sometimes, dogs will jump on their victims, knocking them to the ground and increasing their chance of suffering a concussion or a broken bone.
  • Young people have no idea how to avoid or defend themselves from dogs. Because of their small stature, children are more likely to suffer severe facial injuries from dog bites, which can have long-lasting and even fatal consequences. Similarly, the elderly are more likely to suffer a hip fracture or other serious injuries if they fall and hit their head, neck, or back.
  • Hip fracture recovery time for the elderly often exceeds one year. Numerous sufferers may need walking aids because they will never regain complete mobility in their hips. Dog bites are more likely to cause serious injuries in people who are elderly, very young, or have a damaged immune system.

At The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., we aggressively pursue financial recompense for our clients who have been the victims of violent crime. Here are some examples of the types of cases we’ve handled:

  • Brain damage from trauma
  • Concussions
  • Infections
  • Serious cuts and scrapes
  • Impact injuries
  • Injuries to the back and neck
  • Injuries to the spinal cord
  • Trauma to the soft tissues
  • Cuts and grazes
  • damaged bones
  • Loss of limbs or amputation
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • The threat of contracting an infection, especially rabies
  • Disruption of the face
  • Nerve injury and paralysis

We are aware of the difficulty one may face in getting back on their feet after suffering a dog attack. Victims of dog attacks and bites can count on us to help them through this difficult period.

We also represent surviving relatives of people who have died as a result of injuries sustained by dog bites. We will help you file a wrongful death case to get money for your loss. Get in touch with us right away to arrange a no-cost initial consultation.

Maplewood Dog Bite Lawsuit Filing

Dog-biting laws in New Jersey are complicated. The “one bite rule” and the “strict liability rule” are two approaches used in different states. This hybrid of legal philosophies is used in New Jersey. Dog bite victims are entitled to financial compensation when the dog’s owner was unaware that the dog posed a threat. But let’s say the dog’s owner already knew the animal was dangerous and could cause harm. The victim is entitled to compensation for their injuries, medical bills, lost wages, mental agony, physical impairments, and emotional distress.

Both sorts of compensation are available in dog bite cases, but only if the victim can show that the dog in question had a “vicious predisposition,” or a history of aggressive behavior. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that a dog who had previously bitten a child went on to bite another kid. The conditions for a vicious disposition would be met with the first attack.

The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. Has Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in Maplewood, NJ That Can Help You Get The Compensation You Deserve

Any one incident involving a dog bite will be different from the next. If you file a claim, the amount of compensation you receive may vary from the amount obtained by another victim in a similar instance. Our Maplewood dog bite lawyers have handled numerous different types of situations before. We intend to help you get compensation as soon as possible.

We can assist in obtaining compensation for the following types of losses:

  • Costs of healthcare, both past, and future
  • Costs associated with cosmetic surgery
  • Costs associated with therapeutic exercises and other forms of physical rehabilitation
  • The expense of medical care over time
  • Expenses not paid for
  • Damage to property
  • Experiencing a drop in income
  • Difficulty and distress
  • Distress on an emotional level
  • A decrease in one’s standard of living or happiness
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Accidental fatality

As soon as we receive your case, one of our dog bite injury attorneys in Maplewood, NJ will evaluate it to see what compensation you may be owed. We’ll help you keep track of medical records and other details that show how much the dog bite has hurt you and your loved ones. We will negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible settlement. If a fair agreement cannot be achieved through discussion, we will represent you in court. You can have faith in us to do everything in our power to win your case.

Get In Touch With Maplewood Dog Bite Lawyers

If you were bitten by a dog in Maplewood, New Jersey, you only have three years from the date of the incident to initiate a lawsuit against the dog’s owner. You will forever lose your chance to sue for damages if you wait any longer than that. If you want to be sure your claim is protected, you should talk to a lawyer right away. We have empathy for people who have been bitten by dogs and suffered serious injuries. This is why we strive so hard to ensure our dog bite victims are able to get the money they need to get the finest care possible and get their lives back to normal. If you’ve been injured and feel you deserve financial compensation, don’t hesitate to contact The Epstein Law Firm now to schedule a free examination of your case.

Hostile dogs that attack people for no reason have no business living among us. Those responsible for allowing their dogs to be vicious should face severe penalties. Owners of dangerous pets can only be encouraged to alter their practices in this way.

Aside from trying to show that a dog meets the legal definition of a “dangerous dog” in New Jersey, we will also try to show the full extent of your injuries and damages, including past and future pain and suffering, to the jury.

When you contact our Maplewood personal injury law company, we can discuss your situation and explain your legal options for pursuing compensation from the dog owner who caused your injuries. Dog bite victims can hire us on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you do.

Dog attacks are a severe problem that requires serious action, despite the common misconception that dog bites are minor injuries that occur when a dog is simply playing. We are the trusted personal injury law office in Maplewood, and we will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve if you were attacked by a dog. Tell us about your predicament right away, and our Maplewood dog bite lawyers will give you the help you need.

Establishing Beyond a Reasonable Doubt That the Dog Was Aggressive

Victims of dog bites who seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress must show that the dog had a history of vicious behavior when it attacked them. A dog is considered to have a vicious predisposition for violence in the eyes of New Jersey law if it meets either of the following criteria:

  • Attacks, injures, or murders a human or nonhuman animal
  • Acts in a way that a reasonable person would understand to constitute an unreasonable and immediate danger of great bodily harm or death.

Investigating the dog’s history thoroughly is necessary for proving that it is vicious. Here at The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., we’ve got the manpower and connections to dig up the dog’s whole history. We’ll check New Jersey’s health department files to see if the dog has ever bitten anyone.

Additionally, we may take depositions from witnesses who know the dog and ask them if they’ve ever witnessed the dog showing aggression toward an unprovoked stranger. Furthermore, the victim will not argue that the dog was dangerous if the victim attempted to provoke the dog in any way. Skilled Maplewood dog bite lawyers are essential since it might be difficult to prove that a dog was cruel.

Maplewood, New Jersey:

The American town of Maplewood is located in Essex County, New Jersey. As of the 2020 US Census, the city was home to 25,684 people. Around 1675, settlers from Europe established themselves there. After buying the majority of present-day Essex County from the Native Americans, settlers dispersed along three routes roughly corresponding to present-day South Orange Avenue, Springfield Avenue, and Ridgewood Road. Because of these three thoroughfares, what were once separate communities eventually combined to form the cities of Maplewood and South Orange. South Orange Village was established by Newark residents who commuted along the route of present-day South Orange Avenue. In the event of a work-related car accident, the Epstein Law Firm can assist you in exploring all of your legal options for obtaining compensation.

Dog Bite Legal Services in Areas Nearby

The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. has office locations nearby at:

Contact our Rochelle Park office today at (201) 231-7847 or our Englewood Cliffs office at 201-734-3763 for a free consultation.

Maplewood Dog Bite FAQs

Will my insurance cover my dog bite injury?

I was injured by a dog; how long do I have to sue?

If you or a loved one has been hurt by a dog’s bite, you should take immediate action to seek compensation. You have three years from the date of the dog bite injury to submit a claim for compensation under Maplewood’s personal injury statutes. The time frame in question begins on the incident date. You will lose the right to pursue compensation that is rightfully yours if you do not submit your claim before that time.
If you want to maximize your pay, you should take action as soon as feasible. If you get in touch with a lawyer right away after an accident, they’ll have time to collect evidence and prepare a solid case on your behalf. It makes it possible to store evidence safely, giving you a leg up in court. We recommend getting in touch with dog bite injury attorneys in Maplewood, NJ at The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. as soon as possible if you’ve been hurt.

If I get bit by a dog, whose responsibility is it?

In most cases involving dog bite injuries sustained in the state of New Jersey, legal responsibility is assigned to the dog’s owner. There are, however, situations in which other parties could also be held responsible. These individuals may be held partially liable for the dog bite victim’s injuries if they are found to have contributed to the incident. Landlords, property owners, pet sitters, and dog walkers could all fall into this category. That’s why it’s smart to consult with a lawyer that specializes in dog bite cases in Maplewood.
In order to determine who is responsible for your injuries, The Epstein Law Firm, P.A. will conduct an investigation into your case. To maximize your financial recovery, we will aggressively pursue all potentially responsible parties.

Testimonials

We want to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional work you did to insure that our father’s unfortunate accident did not go unrecognized; my dear dad would have appreciated your professionalism, unstoppable work ethic and most of all your compassion every step of the way. Please know we have the highest regard and the utmost respect for you.

Deb & Joe

Thank you again for all of your help, support and advice. You’ve made a trying and difficult time much easier to deal with for my family and myself. You will never have any idea how much your efforts were, and will forever be appreciated.

F. D.