If a dog bites you in Hackensack or anywhere in Bergen County, you need urgent advice on your next steps. You likely have medical bills, lost wages, and potential future healthcare treatments. Call Hackensack dog bite lawyer David Cowhey for clarity and compassion.
Bergen County families turn to David Cowhey because:
- He’s the New Jersey dog bite lawyer with the most six-figure settlements
- He has over 40 years of experience winning settlements for dog bite victims
- Insurance companies often settle for higher amounts because of David Cowhey’s reputation in the New Jersey courts
Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Hackensack, NJ
Our team has over 60 years of experience handling Hackensack dog bite claims. Our wide-ranging case experience includes any type of dog attack and in any location across Bergen County.
Here are the specific types of cases and injuries they handle:
- Deep Tissue Lacerations & Puncture Wounds
Severe bites that require immediate emergency trauma care and complex suturing.
- Crush Injuries & Broken Bones
Fractures to arms, hands, legs, and ribs caused by the immense jaw pressure of large dog breeds.
- Nerve & Muscle Damage
Cases involving severed nerve networks, ligaments, and tendons that can lead to chronic pain or loss of motor function.
- High-Risk Infections
Medical complications arising from dangerous bacteria found in canine mouths, such as MRSA, Pasteurella, and Capnocytophaga.
- Child Dog Bites
Claims involving catastrophic injuries to children, which often require multiple reconstructive surgeries and result in lifelong scarring or trauma.
- On-the-Job Attacks
Cases where individuals, such as police officers and delivery personnel, are viciously attacked while in the line of duty.
- Insurance and Liability Claims
Cases pursuing maximum personal liability coverage from a dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy for attacks occurring at home, on rented property, or off-leash.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Hackensack?
New Jersey’s law sets the time limit for pursuing personal injury cases at two years. This means that you should file your claim for compensation within 2 years of the incident. If you fail to do so, you may forfeit your right to pursue the financial compensation you need.
Seek the guidance and representation of an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the incident. We will get started working on your case right away to help you file well before the deadline.
How Your Hackensack, NJ Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Win a Dog Bite Case
Dealing with the aftermath of a dog attack isn’t easy. There’s insurance paperwork, medical claims, and evidence analysis. However, you don’t have to face it alone. With help from the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer firm, you can pursue compensation. You focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track. Your lawyer will handle all aspects of the dog bite lawsuit, including:
- Communicating with all the parties involved in the case. You don’t have to worry about saying anything that could jeopardize your case or dealing with cunning insurance adjusters. All case communication goes through your attorney.
- Investigating your claim. Our lawyers have the know-how and resources to uncover evidence supporting your claim.
- Building a strong case. Your attorney will gather the evidence necessary to prove your claim, including medical records and police reports. They will also work with experts such as medical providers, animal behavior experts, and many others to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Negotiating for a settlement. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf and fight to secure a just settlement.
- Representing you at trial. Your attorney will present your case in court. They will argue on your behalf and fight to secure a favorable outcome.
You can rest assured our attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and local community network to secure dog bite compensation. We’re one of the few Hackensack dog bite law firms to have won a million-dollar dog bite case.
Where Do Most Dog Attacks Occur in Hackensack?
- Residential blocks near State Street and Summit Avenue report a high volume of dog attacks.
- Johnson Park, with its high foot traffic and mixed-use spaces, sees leash reactivity and several dog bite incidents annually
- The Foschini Park sports fields and playgrounds have been the location for attacks on nearby children over the years.
Contact The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Hackensack, New Jersey, schedule a free consultation with the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer.The firm can help you understand your rights and options and will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve. Our dog bite attorneys ensure you can focus on healing from your injuries while we handle the legal aspects of your case.
Answers to Your Hackensack NJ Dog Bite Questions
Backed by decades of experience working with dog bite victims and their families across Hackensack, David Cowhey can help answer your dog bite injury claims questions.
Why Do I Need a Local Dog Bite Lawyer with Experience in Hackensack?
Local experience is crucial in ensuring the right result from your dog bite case. Local attorneys like David Cowhey know the insurance offices and the locations where attacks occur in Hackensack. David Cowhey can also work with local Bergen County medical providers to find the crucial evidence that can secure a settlement or judgment in your case.
Our specialty and expertise are matters of dog bites in Hackensack and the surrounding communities. We have vast experience dealing with such matters, having represented many victims of dog bites over 40 years of serving the community. Those cases have given us a thorough understanding of dog bite laws in New Jersey.
What is Your Track Record of Winning Dog Bite Cases?
The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer David Cowhey is the Hackensack attorney with the most six-figure dog bite settlements. He’s assisted countless people in New Jersey to get compensation for the harm they suffered.
You don’t have to worry about presenting your case to the insurance company or dog owner; leave that to our attorneys, who have vast knowledge of the law.
What Compensation Can I Get For My Hackensack Dog Bite Case?
If you were bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your hospital bills, unpaid wages, and pain and suffering you suffered. David Cowhey knows the Hackensack insurance firms and works with the dog owner’s insurance company to ensure that your damages are covered by your injury claim.
Where Can I Find Local Dog Bite Resources in Hackensack NJ?
The following resources can help you navigate your Hackensack dog bite claim:
Reporting the Bite
In New Jersey, animal bites must be reported to local health authorities to track potential rabies exposure.
- Hackensack Health Department (Primary Contact)
- Purpose: Report the bite for sanitary and rabies control tracking. They will initiate the 10-day quarantine observation of the animal.
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Phone: (201) 646-3965
- Fax (for forms): (201) 646-3989
- Address: 215 State St, Hackensack, NJ 07601.
- Hackensack Police Department
- Purpose: Call immediately if the attack is ongoing, the animal is dangerous/loose, or if the bite occurs after business hours or on weekends.
- Emergency: 911
- Non-Emergency Dispatch: (201) 646-7777
- Bergen County Animal Control
- Purpose: Hackensack contracts with the county for animal control services. They handle stray dogs, transport of potentially rabid animals, and enforcement.
- Phone: (201) 229-4616 (24/7 Service)
Medical Resources
Always seek immediate medical attention, even for minor punctures, due to the high risk of infection.
- Emergency Room (Severe Injuries)
- Facility: Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC)
- Address: 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601
- Phone: (551) 996-2000
- Note: Go here for deep wounds, facial injuries, uncontrolled bleeding, or if you suspect broken bones.
- Urgent Care (Minor Wounds)
- Facility: Hackensack Meridian Health Urgent Care
- Address: Available at multiple nearby locations (check for nearest open center).
- Facility: CityMD Hackensack
- Address: 500 Route 17 South, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 (Nearby option)
- Phone: (551) 497-5657
How does New Jersey’s strict liability statute apply to my case, and does it matter if the owner claims the dog had never been aggressive before?
New Jersey law, specifically N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, holds dog owners strictly liable for bites that occur in public or when the victim is lawfully on private property.
You generally do not need to prove the owner was negligent or had prior knowledge of the dog’s viciousness, unlike in states that follow a “one-bite rule”. Understanding how this statute impacts your ability to recover damages without having to establish fault is crucial from the outset.
What specific defenses might the dog owner or their insurance company use to eliminate their liability?
Even under strict liability, there are exceptions. A lawyer should explain if the owner could argue you were trespassing at the time of the incident or that you provoked the dog into attacking, both of which can be used as defenses in New Jersey. New Jersey uses a comparative negligence system, meaning if you are found partially responsible, your compensation could be reduced.
My child was bitten by a dog – how does their minor status affect New Jersey’s two-year statute of limitations, and what types of long-term future damages can we include in the claim?
While the standard statute of limitations for a dog bite lawsuit in New Jersey is two years from the date of the injury, this timeframe is different for minors. The time typically does not begin until the child turns 18, giving them until their 20th birthday to file a claim.
How do New Jersey courts assess damages for permanent scarring, disfigurement, and the need for future reconstructive surgery?
Facial injuries often result in distinct damages that can significantly increase the value of a claim. In New Jersey, you can seek compensation for medical expenses related to plastic surgery to minimize scarring and restore function.
What is a realistic timeline for negotiating a settlement with the insurance company?
Depending on the evidence and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate fairly the process could take weeks or several months. The negotiation often begins with a demand letter to the insurance company, followed by a period of negotiation. Many personal injury cases are resolved through pre-trial settlements to avoid the time and cost of going to court. A lawyer should be able to give you a general timeline based on similar cases and explain their strategy for deciding when litigation is necessary to secure a fair outcome.
How do the local courts in Bergen County impact my dog bite case?
While the laws are state-wide, local court procedures can vary. This impacts elements such as paperwork filing deadlines and bite reporting structures. It is beneficial to work with an attorney who has experience handling dog bite claims within the Bergen County legal system and understands local filing procedures.
