Vineland Dog Bite Lawyer

Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience and even lead you to fear them for a long time. Dog bites can also cause infections that could result in painful secondary injuries.

If you were bitten by a canine, you might be able to seek reimbursement for your injuries from the dog’s owner with the assistance of a qualified personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable Vineland dog bite lawyer could advocate for you in court proceedings and help you pursue compensation for your physical and emotional trauma.

Dangers Associated with Canine Bites

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calculate that about 36 percent of Americans own at least one dog and estimate that approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur every year. About one-fifth of these injuries require medical attention.

Dogs’ mouths contain about 60 forms of bacteria, so some bite victims may become sick after an attack. Secondary injuries which can occur as a result of a dog bite include MRSA, rabies, and Pasteurella. These infections can be painful and difficult to mitigate.

Emergency attention after a bite may be expensive and add to costs incurred for lost wages and other medical bills if the incident leaves a victim unable to work. In addition to physical injuries, you might suffer from emotional trauma and even a newfound fear of animals. A diligent Vineland dog bite attorney could help you compile a list of compensable injuries which resulted from your attack.

Vineland’s Dog Bite Statute

In Vineland, a dog owner who does not know that his or her pet is vicious could still be found liable for its attack. Per New Jersey Revised Statutes §4:19-6, an owner may be responsible for injuries caused by his or her dog if it attacks someone while out in public.

Furthermore, dog owners may be liable for attacks that happen on private property if the victim had a right to be there. For example, someone with an implied invitation to be on a dog owner’s property, such as a mail carrier or gardener, could seek damages if an attack takes place. Explicitly invited guests may also sue their host if they are attacked by a pet.

Dog Owner’s Defense

A dog owner might be able to defend a claim filed against him or her if someone was trespassing on private property when he or she was bitten. Trespassing entails entering someone else’s land without permission, so liability for a dog bite would belong to the person who was not supposed to be there in the first place.

Even if a person was invited onto the property or had business there, a dog owner might be able to defend against a lawsuit if the victim exceeded the scope of his or her permission. For example, if someone jumps a fence to pet a dog that is intentionally kept separate, the owner could present this fact in court as contributory negligence. A knowledgeable dog bite lawyer in Vineland could discuss the circumstances of your injury with you during an initial consultation.

Schedule an Appointment with a Vineland Dog Bite Attorney Today

Canine attacks can be dangerous, even when the animal does not have a vicious reputation. Getting bitten by a canine in a public area or while you were visiting someone’s private property could be grounds for a lawsuit.

If you were bitten by a dog in Vineland, you might be able to recover payment for your injuries. Get in touch with a Vineland dog bite lawyer so you can discuss the details of your claim against a negligent owner.