A dog attack is a terrifying, life-altering event. The crushing force of a bite and the chaotic nature of an attack can leave victims with devastating physical wounds, debilitating infections, and profound psychological trauma.
With over 60 years of combined experience and millions of dollars in settlements and judgments won in dog bite cases, David Cowhey and Rob Morello know how to secure maximum compensation for severe injuries and long-term damages. We handle the aggressive insurance adjusters and complex medical documentation so you and your family can focus entirely on physical and emotional recovery.
We’re available 24/7 for serious injury consultations via our main office:
Dog Attack Injuries – What Victims Need to Know
A dog’s jaws are designed to grip, crush, and tear. While facial dog bite injuries are among the most serious, attacks can impact all areas of the body. When an attack occurs, the damage extends far beneath the surface of the skin. Even bites that appear minor initially can cause catastrophic damage to underlying structures and introduce dangerous pathogens into the bloodstream.
Common injuries sustained in a canine attack include:
- Deep Tissue Lacerations & Puncture Wounds: Requiring immediate emergency trauma care and complex suturing.
- Crush Injuries & Broken Bones: Large breeds can exert hundreds of pounds of pressure per square inch, easily fracturing arms, hands, legs, and ribs.
- Nerve & Muscle Damage: Teeth can easily sever delicate nerve networks, ligaments, and tendons, resulting in temporary or permanent loss of motor function and chronic pain.
- High-Risk Infections: Canine mouths carry dangerous bacteria like Capnocytophaga, Pasteurella, and MRSA. Infections can lead to sepsis or require amputation if not aggressively treated.
- Permanent Scarring: Severe bites routinely heal into raised, painful, and permanent keloid scars that require long-term dermatological intervention.
Fighting for Your Complete Medical and Financial Recovery
Emergency room stabilization is just the first step. Dog bite victims frequently face a grueling, multi-year recovery process.
Because injuries to limbs and the torso often impact your ability to work, walk, or perform daily tasks, victims require a multi-disciplinary medical team. Our dog attack attorneys regularly coordinate with and build cases based on the expertise of:
- Orthopedic surgeons for bone and joint repair
- Infectious disease specialists
- Physical and occupational therapists
- Plastic surgeons for skin grafting and scar revision
- Psychologists specializing in PTSD and trauma
Our lawyers work directly with leading medical and vocational experts throughout New Jersey. We ensure your settlement demand reflects the totality of your care. Our work helps ensure settlements cover future surgeries and physical therapy, as well as lost earning capacity and the emotional toll of the attack.
New Jersey’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law
New Jersey operates under a “strict liability” statute. This means there is no “one free bite” rule. A dog owner is legally and financially responsible for your injuries, regardless of the animal’s breed or whether it had a prior history of aggression.
Even if the dog had never shown a hint of violence before, the owner is completely liable as long as you were lawfully on the property (public or private) and did not actively provoke the animal. Our attorneys move swiftly to investigate the scene, secure animal control records, locate the applicable insurance policies, and hold the negligent parties entirely accountable.
The 5 Steps Our Team Takes to Win Your Serious Injury Case
- Establish Strict Liability Immediately: We move fast to verify the legal requirements, identify every liable party, confirm your lawful presence, and locate all homeowner’s, renter’s, or commercial insurance policies to build an impenetrable claim.
- Prove the Absolute Extent of Your Injuries: We gather comprehensive medical records, imaging, and expert testimony to prove the full scope of your physical damage, nerve trauma, risk of infection, and emotional suffering.
- Calculate Your Lifetime Losses: A severe bite can keep you out of work for months or years. We calculate current medical debt, future surgical needs, physical therapy costs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity.
- Build a Case Insurers Cannot Ignore: We front-load our cases with undeniable evidence—high-resolution injury photography, daily life impact statements, and unassailable expert opinions—forcing insurance companies to the negotiating table with maximum pressure.
- Prepare for Trial from Day One: Led by Certified Civil Trial Attorney David Cowhey, our team prepares every single case as though a jury will hear it. Insurance companies know which firms actually go to court; our reputation for trial readiness consistently drives up settlement offers.
Unmatched Dog Bite Case Results for Injury Victims in New Jersey
When choosing a legal advocate for a severe injury, previous results are the strongest indicator of future success. David Cowhey is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court. Together with firm Partner Rob Morello, they have built a formidable reputation for forcing insurance companies to pay victims what they truly deserve.
| Settlement Amount | Case Details |
| $1,000,000 | For a 7-year-old boy who suffered catastrophic dog bite injuries requiring multiple surgeries and resulting in significant trauma and scarring. |
| $700,000 | For an Atlantic County Police Officer forced to undergo back surgery after a violent dog attack while responding to a domestic call. |
| $500,000 | Secured for an Arson Investigator who sustained severe bite injuries from a K9 while on duty. |
| $450,000 | Awarded to an HVAC service worker after a devastating, unprovoked dog attack on a customer’s property. |
Answering Your Dog Bite Injury Questions
What kind of compensation can I recover after a dog attack?
Victims are entitled to economic and non-economic damages. This includes all past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, out-of-pocket expenses, and significant compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and permanent scarring.
Will the dog owner’s insurance cover all my medical bills?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases, compensation comes from the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, which includes personal liability coverage. We aggressively negotiate to ensure the policy limits are maximized to cover your comprehensive recovery needs.
What if the dog belongs to a friend or family member?
It is common for attacks to happen at the homes of people you know. Pursuing a claim against a family member means we are seeking compensation from their insurance company, not trying to drain their personal bank accounts. This insurance funds your medical care after a catastrophic accident.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in New Jersey?
New Jersey law generally grants you a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, evidence disappears fast, and witnesses’ memories fade. Engaging an attorney immediately ensures your case is preserved and built on the strongest possible foundation.
Dog Bite Injury Legal Guidance Backed by 40 Years of Winning Dog Bite Cases
After suffering severe injuries in a dog attack, you need attorneys known exclusively for their relentless advocacy and trial experience.
The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer team of Rob Morello and David Cowhey is known for securing high-value settlements in serious injury cases. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options today.
