Experiencing a dog bite can be a traumatic event, leaving both physical and emotional scars. For many in New Jersey, a peaceful walk in the neighborhood or a visit to a friend's home can unexpectedly turn into a frightening and painful experience. The days and weeks after a dog bite often involve medical treatments, possible time off work, and an emotional toll that can be overwhelming.
At Reinartz Law Firm, we understand the distress and uncertainty you may be facing after a dog bite incident. Such experiences can leave you feeling vulnerable and unsure about the future. It's not just the physical injuries that hurt; the emotional impact can be equally challenging.
Our New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer at Reinartz Law Firm are dedicated to helping people like you resolve their dog bite cases in New Jersey. We offer a personalized and empathetic approach to each case, listening carefully to your story and upholding your rights.
Table of Contents
- Why Choose Our New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers?
- Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
- Where Can Dog Bite Incidents Happen in New Jersey?
- Understanding Dog Bite Cases
- Battling Insurance Companies After a Dog Bite
- What to Do After a Dog Bite? Call Reinartz Law Firm Today
Why Choose Our New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers?
Our firm has a history of achieving noteworthy results for our clients. For instance, we secured $270,000 for a client who suffered facial scarring from a dog bite.
While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, they reflect our commitment and capability in handling personal injury claims, including dog bite cases.
We’re Efficient and Compassionate
Our efficiency and compassionate approach set us apart. We understand the emotional and physical toll of dog bite incidents and work diligently to streamline the legal process for you.
We believe in leveling the playing field against large defendants, and we fight aggressively for your right to compensation while you focus on healing.
Accountability and Attention to Detail
We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of integrity and detail-oriented practice. Recognizing that the smallest details can significantly impact your case, we meticulously prepare and evaluate every aspect to ensure the best possible outcome for you.
Optimistic and Client-Focused
Our optimism and client-focused approach mean we always look for the best possible solutions for our clients. Located conveniently at Court Plaza South - West Wing in Hackensack, NJ, near USCIS Hackensack, we are ideally positioned to assist residents across New Jersey with their dog bite claims.
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
If you're wondering, "How much is my dog bite case worth?" the answer varies depending on the specifics of your situation. Factors like the severity of the injury, medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress all play a role in determining the value of your claim.
Assessing the Severity of Injury and Its Impact
The physical injuries from a dog bite can range from minor cuts to severe wounds requiring extensive medical care. In evaluating your case, we closely examine the depth of these injuries and their long-term implications. This includes the need for surgeries, rehabilitation, and any potential for permanent scarring or disability.
Our firm works with medical professionals to accurately assess and document these injuries, ensuring that the full extent of the physical harm is recognized and accounted for in your claim.
Calculating Medical Expenses
Medical costs form a significant part of your compensation claim. This includes not only the immediate medical bills but also anticipated future medical expenses related to the injury.
We gather and present all medical bills, including emergency care, hospital stays, medications, and any specialized treatments. By projecting future medical needs, we ensure that your compensation covers both your current and future medical expenses.
Recovering Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity
A dog bite can result in time off work, affecting your income. We calculate lost income during your recovery period. If your injuries affect your ability to work in the long term, we also consider the loss of future earning capacity.
Our team collaborates with financial experts to project these losses accurately, ensuring compensation covers any reduction in your earning potential.
Addressing Emotional Distress and Psychological Impact
Dog bite incidents often leave psychological scars. The trauma can lead to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or a newfound fear of dogs.
We understand the importance of these non-physical effects and include them in your compensation demand. By collaborating with mental health professionals, we provide evidence of the emotional and psychological toll the incident has taken on you.
Proving Liability and Negligence
To recover compensation, we must establish the other party’s liability. Under New Jersey law, dog owners are generally held responsible for their dog's actions. Our firm gathers evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and any previous records of the dog's aggression to build a strong case demonstrating the owner's liability.
Where Can Dog Bite Incidents Happen in New Jersey?
Dog bite incidents can happen anywhere, but certain areas in New Jersey might see more frequent occurrences:
- Busy streets: Some examples of busy streets in New Jersey where dog bite accidents may occur are Broad Street in Newark, Route 22 in Union County, and Route 9 in Middlesex County. These streets have high traffic volume, noise, and pedestrians, which may cause stress and anxiety for dogs and increase the risk of biting.
- Public parks: Some examples of public parks in New Jersey where dog bite accidents may occur are Liberty State Park in Jersey City, Branch Brook Park in Newark, and Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville. These parks offer open spaces, trails, and recreational facilities for dogs and their owners. Still, they also expose dogs to unfamiliar people, animals, and situations, which may trigger fear or aggression and lead to biting.
- Residential areas: Some examples of residential areas in New Jersey where dog bite accidents may occur are Cherry Hill, Edison, and Montclair. These areas have high population density, diverse neighborhoods, and various types of housing, which may result in more interactions between dogs and humans and potential conflicts over territory, resources, or dominance, which may cause biting.
If you are a victim of a dog bite accident in New Jersey, you should seek medical attention immediately, document the incident, and report the bite to the local health department.
You may also recover compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other damages from the dog owner, who is held strictly liable under New Jersey law.
Understanding Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite incidents are not only physically painful but also legally complicated. At Reinartz Law Firm, we are well-versed in the circumstances and injuries associated with these cases.
Unprovoked Attacks in Public Places
Unprovoked dog attacks in public areas, such as parks or streets, are particularly distressing as they can occur unexpectedly. Victims might be jogging, walking, or simply enjoying the outdoors when the attack happens. These cases often involve questions about leash laws, the presence of warning signs about the dog, and the owner's control over their pet.
Incidents Involving Loose or Unsecured Dogs
Cases where dogs are not properly secured or can roam freely present unique challenges. Whether it's a neighbor's dog that has escaped from their yard or a stray dog wandering in a community, these incidents can lead to serious injuries. We investigate to determine ownership and accountability, which are key in these situations.
Attacks Occurring on Private Property
Dog bites occurring on private property, such as in homes or yards, are common. In these cases, the relationship between the victim and the dog owner, as well as the reason for the victim's presence on the property, can significantly affect the case. Issues of homeowner liability and insurance coverage are often central to these claims.
Puncture Wounds and Lacerations
Dog bites often result in puncture wounds and lacerations, varying in severity. These injuries might require stitches, lead to infection, and leave lasting scars. Documenting these injuries thoroughly is crucial for demonstrating the physical impact of the attack.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Victims of dog bites can develop PTSD, a condition that can severely disrupt a person's life. Symptoms may include flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
Recognizing and treating PTSD is essential for the victim's recovery, and compensation for psychological counseling and treatment is a critical component of these cases.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Larger or more aggressive dogs can exert enough force in their bite to break bones or cause fractures, especially in the hands, arms, or legs. These injuries can be severe, leading to prolonged recovery times, potential surgeries, and lasting impact on the victim's mobility and strength.
Compensation claims for these injuries include medical costs, rehabilitation, and any long-term disability or impairment.
Head and Neck Injuries
In cases where a dog attacks the head or neck, the injuries can be particularly severe. These areas are vulnerable and contain vital structures. Injuries to the head and neck can lead to traumatic brain injuries, damage to the airway, or serious vascular injuries, each carrying its own set of long-term complications and treatments.
Nerve Damage and Scarring
More severe dog bites can lead to nerve damage, affecting mobility and sensation. Scarring can also be a major concern, especially in visible areas such as the face. These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, including surgery and physical therapy, and can have lasting physical and psychological effects.
Emotional Trauma and Fear of Dogs
The psychological impact of a dog bite should never be underestimated. Victims often suffer from emotional trauma, including an ongoing fear of dogs, which can alter their daily lives significantly. Addressing and quantifying this trauma is an important part of our comprehensive approach to handling your case.
Battling Insurance Companies After a Dog Bite
Battling insurance companies after a dog bite incident can be a difficult task for the layperson. At Reinartz Law Firm, we are well aware of the strategies insurance companies use to minimize payouts, and we are fully prepared to counter these tactics to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
One common approach by insurance companies is to question the severity of the injury. They may attempt to downplay the extent of your wounds, arguing that they are not as serious as claimed. This is where our collection and presentation of medical records, including detailed descriptions of the injuries and their impact on your life, shine.
We work closely with medical professionals to provide a comprehensive picture of the physical and psychological effects of the dog bite.
Another tactic is to challenge the liability of the dog owner. Insurance companies often scrutinize the circumstances of the incident, looking for ways to shift some or all of the blame onto the victim. They might suggest that the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing on private property.
Our team anticipates and effectively counters these arguments by gathering evidence such as witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert testimony to firmly establish the dog owner’s liability.
Insurance adjusters may also attempt to rush the settlement process, offering a quick payout that is far less than what the victim rightfully deserves. This tactic preys on the victim’s immediate need for financial support, hoping they accept the offer without fully understanding the long-term implications of their injuries.
We ensure our clients are fully informed about the worth of their claims, advising them against accepting any premature offers and negotiating relentlessly for a settlement that fully covers their current and future needs.
In some cases, insurance companies might outright deny the claim, arguing that the policy does not cover the incident or that specific clauses exempt them from paying out. Our legal team reviews insurance policies to challenge such denials, using our deep understanding of insurance law to advocate for our client’s rights.
Also, insurance companies often use complex legal language and extensive paperwork to overwhelm victims. They count on the fact that insurance claims can be confusing for those not well-versed in legal jargon. Our experience handling such claims allows us to cut through this complexity, translating and managing all legal communications on your behalf.
At Reinartz Law Firm, we are committed to standing up to insurance companies and their tactics. Our extensive experience dealing with these companies enables us to advocate fiercely and effectively on your behalf. We understand the challenges involved in these cases and are dedicated to guiding you through every step, ensuring you receive the fair and just compensation you deserve for your ordeal.
What to Do After a Dog Bite? Call Reinartz Law Firm Today
After a dog bite, follow through with your treatment plans and keep all medical records and receipts. Documenting your experience in a journal and obtaining a copy of any police report can be beneficial. Bringing this information to our firm can significantly strengthen your case.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a dog bite in New Jersey, don't go through this challenging time alone. Contact Reinartz Law Firm online or call (201) 289-8614 for your free consultation. Let us guide you on the path to recovery and justice.
The Reinartz Law Firm - Hackensack Office
Court Plaza South - West Wing
21 Main St Suite 205,
Hackensack, NJ 07601
Testimonial
HEATHER F.
"Richard guided me in my suit and made me feel confident in my decisions during my entire case. He made recommendations that I otherwise, would not have known about."
