According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, two percent of the American population is bitten by a dog annually. That’s over 4.5 million people, and of those bitten by a dog, most of them are children between the ages of five and nine. And of those 4.5 million people who are attacked by a dog, 20% receive treatment from a medical professional, and 20 people suffer fatal injuries. Often times, when dogs attack the results are catastrophic. Their canines inflict severe bone crushing injuries, severe puncture wounds, deep lacerations, and of course emotional injuries that eventually results in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Often times it is the emotional scars that weigh even heavier on a person than the actual physical scarring, disfigurement or impairment. Instant drastic changes in self-image combined with a new fear of dogs results in life altering changes. Some severe dog bite victims can no longer work, may have continuing flashbacks or nightmares and may live in constant fear of another attack on themselves or their loved ones.
In New Jersey there is no such thing as a dog getting one free strike or one prior attack. The law is subject to the legal principle known as strict liability. In New Jersey, 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.
When a dog rages out of control, it can threaten the security of you and your family. A dog bite can result in serious and permanent injuries including severe lacerations, scarring, puncture wounds, crushed and broken bones, infections and emotional harm or even death. Dogs have become more and more a part of our families. Dogs provide unconditional love. However particular breeds of dogs or cross-breeds may have a higher incidence of unprovoked attacks on humans. From 1979 to 1998, dog attacks resulted in more than 300 human dog bite-related fatalities in the United States. Most victims were children. Studies during that 20-year period indicate that pure bred pit bulls were involved in about 66 human dog bite fatalities, Rottweiler’s were responsible for 64 fatalities, 39 fatalities resulting from attacks by cross-breed dogs and the number of deaths by dogs of unknown breed totaled 238 during that approximately 20-year period.
With over a decade of service in New Jersey, we have successfully represented clients in both central and northern New Jersey who have been victims of dog bites attacks and suffered severe wounds, physical and emotional scars. As a Grossman Law Firm personal injury client, you will receive professional, compassionate and aggressive representation backed by the support of an expert legal team who knows how to take on the state’s most powerful insurance carriers. We pride ourselves on our responsiveness to our clients and make sure that every client is treated as an individual and never treated as another file.
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If you or a loved one have been a victim of a dog bite anywhere in New Jersey and have suffered injuries or even the death of a family member, please contact The Grossman Law Firm today at (732) 625-9494. We represent our clients on a contingency basis. This means our fees are based on a percentage of the recovery from settlement or verdict of the case. Consultations are always free. Please note, depending on the severity of your injuries, we will travel to you or arrange for transportation if needed.
