The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Cases in New Jersey

Many of us are dog lovers, but if someone else’s dog attacks and bites you, it is a very different matter. Dog bites are not only terrifying but are also quite dangerous and are especially susceptible to serious infections. The State of New Jersey takes dog bites seriously by implementing a strict liability law that holds pet owners strictly responsible for the injuries their dogs cause. It’s important to note, however, that there is a time restriction in terms of filing a lawsuit against the owner of a dog that bites you. This time constraint is called the statute of limitations, and it represents one of the many challenges inherent to dog bite cases. If someone else’s dog leaves you injured, discuss your claim with an experienced New Jersey dog bite liability lawyer today.

How Long Do You Have to Report a Dog Bite in NJ?

If a dog that is not your own bites you, you should report the attack to your local animal control office, which may advise you to also inform the police. The New Jersey Department of Health advises anyone who has been bitten by an animal to not only seek immediate medical care but also to notify their local health department as soon as they are able to do so.  While dogs are rarely infected by rabies, they can be, which makes it important for the appropriate agency to contact the owner of the dog in question in an effort to ensure that the pet’s vaccinations are up to date. Protecting your health and recovery is paramount, but by contacting the authorities, you also help protect the community at large from an aggressive or unpredictable canine. The sooner you alert the authorities, the better.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Injury Claims in NJ?

In New Jersey, you have only two years from the date of the injury-causing dog bite to file a lawsuit against the pet owner – generally through their homeowners’ insurance provider. The fact is that the legal process can take a considerable amount of time, and this two-year limitation calls for swift action. Factors like the following can all slow down the dog bite claims process in which you negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement:

• The involved insurance company may artificially prolong negotiations in the hope of waiting out the clock.
• Dog bites are often very slow to heal and are closely associated with complications, which can delay your efforts.
• Successful negotiations between your dog bite liability lawyer and the insurance company can require considerable back and forth, which can quickly gobble up the two years that are allotted to you. 

In the end, filing a lawsuit against the applicable insurance company can spark a renewed interest on their part regarding striking a fair settlement that addresses your physical, financial, and emotional losses in their entirety.  

Your Dog Bite Injury

The Mayo Clinic shares that dog bites are closely associated with serious infections and other dangerous complications. Consider the following:

• Because a dog’s teeth gnash rather than slice the skin, dog bite wounds tend to be jagged, which makes them slower to heal and more prone to infections and serious scarring. 
• A dog bite wound that is on or near the face can be permanently disfiguring.
• When a dog bite is on the hand, which is common, it can lead to serious physical complications due to the finely tuned mechanics of our hands. 

Even if you don’t believe your dog bite is especially serious, it is always in your best interest to seek medical attention.   

The Legal Responsibilities of Dangerous-Dog Owners

While many states have what is known as a one-bite law on the books, New Jersey is not one of them. One-bite laws implement strict liability for dog bites only after a pet owner’s dog demonstrates that it has the propensity to bite – after it actually bites someone. New Jersey, however, does not afford the same leniency. 

Your Losses

If someone else’s dog bites you in New Jersey, the pet owner is responsible for covering your losses in all the following categories:

• Your medical bills, including those related to complications and ongoing healthcare needs
• Your lost earnings on the job, including any losses related to your earning potential
• Your physical and emotional pain and suffering, which – when it comes to being attacked by an unknown dog – can be immense

Dog bite claims, however, are challenging, and working closely with a dedicated dog bite liability lawyer from the outset is in your best interest.  

The Dog Owner’s Primary Responsibilities

Dog owners in New Jersey are responsible for ensuring that their pets don’t attack and bite others, and this breaks down into the following two prongs of responsibility:

• Maintaining control of their dogs outside of their homes
• Ensuring that others are protected from any bites, including first bites

Exceptions to the Rule

The only exceptions to New Jersey’s strict liability stance include the following:

• If the dog-bite victim was on the dog owner’s property illegally at the time of the dog-bite incident
• If the dog-bite victim is found to have provoked the dog into reacting aggressively

Never assume an exception applies or does not apply to your situation. Allow a dog bite attorney to evaluate your rights.   

An Experienced New Jersey Dog Bite Liability Lawyer Is Standing by to Help

If you have been injured by a dog bite, seeking just compensation that covers your complete losses in their entirety is critical to your recovery. David J. Cowhey at the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer is a formidable dog bite liability lawyer who dedicates his impressive practice to helping clients like you obtain favorable claims resolutions that afford them the opportunity to fully regain their health and well-being. Our legal team is on your side and here to help, so please reach out to us through our online form or call us at (866) 259-4377 today.