Newark, NJ Dog Bite Lawyer

The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer partners David Cowhey and Rob Morello have over 60 years of combined exprience winning dog bite claims for Newark residents. Our lawyers know Newark and know the needs and rights of local dog bite victims. We’re here to help you fight for your fair compensation and hold the insurance companies and dog owners responsible for your injuries.

How a Newark Dog Bite Attorney Can Help You

A dog attack in Newark—whether along Ferry Street in the Ironbound, on a quiet residential block in the South Ward, or during a walk through Branch Brook Park—can leave a resident facing painful injuries, immediate medical treatment, lost income, and lasting emotional effects. New Jersey ranks ninth in the nation for dog bite insurance claims, with the state seeing nearly 700 claims annually that total over $33 million in payouts.

Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 4:19-16), the state provides robust protections for people bitten by dogs in public places or while lawfully on private property. If you were attacked in Newark, The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer can help you understand your rights, document your injuries at local facilities like University Hospital, and pursue compensation from the responsible dog owner.

Why Choose The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer for Your Newark Attack Case?

A serious dog attack can involve emergency treatment, surgery, permanent scarring, nerve damage, lost wages, and significant emotional trauma. Choosing a lawyer who regularly handles dog bite cases can be particularly important when the injuries have long-term consequences.

The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer provides:

• A practice focused on dog bite cases. David J. Cowhey and Rob Morello focus on representing people injured in dog attacks, including children, delivery workers, pedestrians, visitors, and others lawfully present when an attack occurs.
• More than 60 years of combined experience. The firm’s attorneys bring decades of combined legal experience to cases involving serious dog bite injuries, including facial injuries, nerve damage, scarring, and disfigurement.
• New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Civil Trial Attorneys. Both David J. Cowhey and Rob Morello are Certified Civil Trial Attorneys by the New Jersey Supreme Court, reflecting their experience in civil trial practice.
• Knowledge of New Jersey’s dog bite law. Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, a dog owner may be liable when the dog bites a person who is in a public place or lawfully on private property. The statute does not require the victim to prove that the owner knew the dog had previously been dangerous.
• Attention to the full impact of an injury. A dog bite claim can involve more than the initial emergency-room treatment. The firm can evaluate medical expenses, additional treatment, plastic surgery, lost income, scarring, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and other losses associated with the attack.
• Experience with serious and permanent injuries. Facial wounds, nerve injuries, and permanent scars can affect a victim long after the bite has healed. These cases require careful documentation of both the physical injury and its continuing consequences.
• A focus on the circumstances of the Newark attack. Whether the attack occurred on a Newark sidewalk, in a neighborhood, at a park, outside a business, at an apartment building, or while making a delivery, the specific circumstances can affect the evidence available and the legal issues involved.
• No legal fee unless you win. The firm represents dog bite victims on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there is no legal fee unless the case is successfully resolved.

If you or your child was attacked by a dog in Newark, preserving evidence early can be important. Photographs of injuries, medical records, information about the dog and its owner, witness information, clothing damaged during the attack, and an official report can all become relevant to a claim.

Newark Dog Bite Case Resources

Following a dog attack, Newark residents may need to contact several local agencies. These are official City of Newark resources that may be useful after an attack:

• Newark Animal Control Bureau — The city’s Animal Control Bureau investigates animal-related complaints and handles stray, sick, injured, or unwanted domestic animals and wildlife. The bureau is located through the City’s Department of Health and Community Wellness and can be reached at 973-733-4311.
• Newark Department of Health & Community Wellness — Newark’s health department provides health and environmental services and lists Animal Control within its Division of Environmental Health. Its main information number is 973-733-7600.
• Newark Division of Environmental Health — This division includes the city’s Animal Control Bureau and handles environmental health investigations and services. The City lists the division at 94 William Street, Newark, NJ 07102, with a contact number of 973-733-4311.
• Newark Police Division — If a police report is appropriate for the circumstances of the attack, Newark Police can be contacted through the department’s non-emergency line at 973-733-6000. For an emergency, call 911.
• Newark Police Division information and services — The City of Newark’s official website provides access to municipal departments and public-safety information for residents.
• Newark Health Department Contact Information — The City’s health department contact page lists local health services and emergency guidance. Newark specifically advises that its health department facilities are not equipped for emergency care and directs people experiencing an emergency to call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

If you were bitten, seek appropriate medical attention promptly and keep copies of your medical records, bills, prescriptions, photographs, and follow-up treatment records. If possible, photograph the injury as it heals because scarring and disfigurement can change significantly over time.

You should also preserve information about where the attack occurred, the identity of the dog owner, witnesses who saw what happened, and any report made to Newark Animal Control or the Newark Police Division.

The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer can review these details and explain how New Jersey’s dog bite law may apply to your Newark attack.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Dog Bite Lawsuit?

Several factors affect how long it takes to settle a dog bite lawsuit. These include:

• The severity and extent of your injuries
• Whether fault for the dog attack is obvious or if there are questions as to where the fault lies
• Whether a reasonable settlement is reached out of court or if your case goes to trial.

There is no way to determine exactly how long it will take to settle your dog bite lawsuit. This will depend on the specifics of your case. However, hiring a Newark, NJ dog bite lawyer can help to speed up your case.

Should I Settle Out of Court or Go to Trial?

Taking an out-of-court settlement is more efficient, less stressful, and can result in a much quicker conclusion to your case. Court cases can drag on for months or even years.

While you may be tempted to accept an out-of-court settlement, there are some pitfalls that you should be aware of. Once you have accepted the settlement, you typically can no longer recover additional compensation for the same injury from the same party. It should also be noted that you could potentially recover much more in compensation if you go to trial.

The best way to determine whether to accept an out-of-court settlement or to proceed to trial is by consulting with an experienced lawyer. An experienced attorney can estimate the value of your case. They will negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf.

Contact our law offices to consult with an experienced and knowledgeable dog bite lawyer in Newark. Our attorneys will review your case and determine the approximate value of your claim. We will fight to recover full compensation for your injuries. Our team will work with your best interests at the forefront. We won’t settle for anything less than what we believe is just compensation for your damages.

The Steps of the Dog Bite Lawsuit Filing Process Victims Need to Know

Step 1: Seek Medical Care and Report the Attack

Immediate medical treatment is critical for your health and creates an irrefutable record of your trauma. Simultaneously, report the incident to local police and municipal animal control. This generates an official paper trail and forces an investigation into the dog’s history.

Step 2: Gather Crucial Evidence

Because New Jersey operates under strict liability, you simply need to prove the dog bit you while you were legally on the premises. Photograph your injuries and the location, collect witness contact information, and officially identify the dog and its owner.

Step 3: Retain a Specialized Attorney

New Jersey strictly enforces a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims. Hiring a lawyer who focuses exclusively on dog bite litigation ensures time-sensitive evidence is preserved and your rights are aggressively protected.

Step 4: Issue a Demand Letter and Negotiate

Your attorney will calculate your total damages, including hospital bills, lost income, and future reconstructive costs, and issue a formal demand to the dog owner’s insurance company. This triggers strategic negotiations aimed at securing maximum compensation out of court.

Step 5: File the Formal Complaint

If the insurer stubbornly refuses a fair settlement, your attorney will officially file a civil complaint in the appropriate New Jersey county court. This initiates formal litigation, moving your case toward discovery and trial.