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Home / Blog / Blog / Navigating the Cost of Compensation: The Role of Injury Lawyers in Newark Dog Bite Cases

March 29, 2023 - Blog, Dog Injuries

Navigating the Cost of Compensation: The Role of Injury Lawyers in Newark Dog Bite Cases

Table of Contents

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  • Dog Bite Claim Basics
    • Strict Liability
    • Necessary Elements
    • Compensation Sought
  • A Note about the Insurance Company Handling Your Claim
  • Understanding the Legal Process of Filing a Dog Bite Claim in Newark
  • Protecting Your Claim
    • Seek Immediate Medical Attention
    • Consult with a Seasoned Injury Lawyer Early in the Process
    • Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions Carefully
    • Let Your Injury Lawyer Communicate with the Insurance Company on Your Behalf
    • Take a Break from Social Media While Your Claim Is Pending
  • Importance of Hiring a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer for Your Case
  • The Benefits of Working with an Experienced Injury Lawyer for Your Newark Dog Bite Case
  • It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Newark Injury Lawyer

If a dog that belongs to someone else bites you and leaves you injured, obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled is the best tool available to you in relation to reaching your fullest recovery. Achieving this goal, however, is challenging, which makes working closely with an experienced Newark injury lawyer from the start the best path forward.

Dog Bite Claim Basics

To begin, it’s important to understand how dog bite claims work in the State of New Jersey.

Strict Liability

In New Jersey, dog owners are not allowed a so-called free bite when it comes to their pets. While some states do employ a one-bite policy that does not place responsibility on the dog owner unless the dog has already exhibited aggression in the form of a bite – or the dog owner has good reason to believe it might. Instead, New Jersey employs strict liability in relation to dog bites, which means that – unless one of the following applies – the dog owner is responsible for any injuries their pet’s bite causes, including a first bite:

  • The injured victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property at the time of the attack.
  • The injured victim was provoking the dog in some way at the time of the attack.

Necessary Elements

In order for your dog bite claim to be successfully resolved, you’ll need to prove that four basic elements are present, including:

  • The dog owner owed you a duty of care – or had a responsibility to keep you safe from their pet’s bite – which, in New Jersey, is true in all but very rare circumstances. 
  • The dog owner failed to live up to this responsibility. 
  • The dog owner’s breached duty of care – or lapse in responsibility – was the direct cause of the dog bite incident.
  • You suffered covered losses as a result. 

Compensation Sought

Dog attacks are terrifying, dangerous events that often come out of nowhere. As a result, the law allows claimants to seek compensation for all the following related losses – or legal damages:

  • Your current and ongoing medical expenses
  • Your current and ongoing losses related to income
  • Your physical and emotional pain and suffering

Clearly identifying your complete losses is an important aspect of your injury lawyer’s skilled efforts. 

A Note about the Insurance Company Handling Your Claim

Generally, dog bite claims are filed through the dog owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy. While the insurance company is paid to cover your losses fairly, it will employ whatever tactics it can get away with in its quest to keep your settlement as low as possible, which can include any of the following:

  • Offering you an early settlement that does not begin to approach your total physical, financial, and emotional losses
  • Questioning the role you played in the incident, which generally means intimating that you provoked the dog in question
  • Calling their policyholder’s negligence into doubt
  • Calling the extent of your claimed losses into doubt
  • Prolonging and overly complicating the claims process

The insurance company can throw up roadblocks to your claim’s progress, but your dedicated injury lawyer will be well prepared to skillfully thwart these practices – in pursuit of your claim’s most beneficial resolution. 

Understanding the Legal Process of Filing a Dog Bite Claim in Newark

When it comes to filing a dog bite claim in Newark, you’ll move through several basic important steps, including:

  • You’ll file your claim through the at-fault pet owner’s homeowners or renters insurance provider, which begins the claims process. 
  • Your focused injury lawyer will gather all the available evidence in the creation of your strongest claim. 
  • Your injury lawyer will enter into skilled negotiations with the involved insurance provider.
  • If a fair settlement that adequately addresses your complete losses in their entirety is ultimately reached, the matter is settled. 
  • If the insurance company is not interested in engaging in fair settlement negotiations, your injury lawyer will very likely advise you to file a lawsuit against them.
  • Your savvy injury lawyer will be well prepared to move forward toward trial, where they will fiercely advocate for your case’s most advantageous conclusion. 

Protecting Your Claim

Your dog bite claim will include circumstances that are unique to your situation and will follow its own path, but there are steps that it’s beneficial for every claimant to take.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Dog bites are serious injuries that are highly prone to infection. The gnashing motion that dogs employ helps to ensure that their bites are more like tears, which take longer to heal, are more susceptible to complications, and often lead to serious scarring. Further, a dog bite can be exceptionally deep, and because dogs are more likely to go for a victim’s hands or face are more likely to be exceptionally serious.  

Consult with a Seasoned Injury Lawyer Early in the Process

The most important step you can take toward achieving fair compensation after a dog bite is consulting with a savvy injury lawyer as early in the process as possible. Dog bite claims are legally challenging, and any misstep on your part can seriously hinder the strength of yours, which can directly affect your ability to achieve your most complete recovery. Having a distinguished injury lawyer in your corner is always to your advantage.   

Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions Carefully

It’s not enough to seek medical care – you’ll also need to carefully adhere to your doctor’s medical instructions and guidance. This is the surest means of supporting your health and well-being and the best way of demonstrating to the involved insurance company that your dog bite injury is as exactly as serious as you claim it is.

Let Your Injury Lawyer Communicate with the Insurance Company on Your Behalf

Insurance companies sink significant resources into tripping claimants up, which includes eliciting statements from them that ultimately prove claim damaging. You are not required to make a statement about the dog bite incident – regardless of what the insurance rep tells you – and you’re well advised to leave this task in the capable hands of your trusted injury lawyer. 

Take a Break from Social Media While Your Claim Is Pending

As mentioned, the insurance company handling your claim is very interested in anything you have to say – for the purpose of twisting your comments’ meanings to its own benefit. This applies not only to any statements you make to it but also to anything you post on social media. Because it’s impossible to know how the insurance company will interpret your words, it’s best not to give them the opportunity to do so.

Importance of Hiring a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer for Your Case

Dog bite claims face complex legal challenges, and without a practiced dog bite injury lawyer guiding you, your ability to obtain just compensation can be jeopardized. In addition to ably handling the insurance company on your behalf, your lawyer will engage in all the following:

  • Your injury lawyer will help to ensure that all the available evidence is compiled and skillfully crafted into a powerful claim that clearly represents the dog owner’s negligence and the extent of your resulting losses. 
  • Your injury lawyer will help to ensure that the insurance company adheres to good faith practices, including addressing your claim in a fair and timely manner.
  • If any legal obstacles arise, your injury lawyer will help to ensure that they are smoothly navigated around.
  • If there is any question regarding the dog owner’s negligence or the extent of your damages, your injury lawyer will help to ensure that they are effectively and efficiently resolved in your favor. 

 

The Benefits of Working with an Experienced Injury Lawyer for Your Newark Dog Bite Case

The benefits of working closely with an experienced injury lawyer for your Newark dog bite case are difficult to overstate. Some primary examples include:

  • You can rest assured that your claim and your best interests are in good hands from the start. 
  • There is no need to fear the insurance company taking advantage of your vulnerability in this extremely difficult situation – your injury lawyer is on it.
  • You can rely upon your injury lawyer to zealously advocate for your claim’s best possible conclusion, which includes proceeding to court if it’s in your best interest to do so. 
  • While you focus on your physical and emotional recovery, you can count on your injury lawyer to earnestly fight for your legal rights and for your claim’s optimal outcome.

When you have medical treatment and healing to worry about, you should never try to begin the legal process without the right professional help.

It’s Time to Consult with an Experienced Newark Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured by someone else’s dog, David J. Cowhey at The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer is a formidable injury lawyer who understands the difficulties you’re facing and is both well-prepared and well-positioned to help. For more information about what we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 866-343-3181 today.

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Dave was awesome helping me through the nightmare world of insurance claims after my daughter was attacked by a neighbors dog. Dave is very friendly, always available and extremally knowledgeable and connected to this process. I highly recommend you call him about your case,

John L.

David Cowhey, Esq. did a great job for my daughter, who had been bit by a dog and left with a scar on her leg. He is an extremely competent and responsive attorney. The whole process was very easy and he negotiated a great settlement! We are very happy. Highly recommend his professional services!!

J S

My experience with David Cowhey was amazing, he is a very knowledgeable and helpful lawyer. I got bit by a dog and it left a very noticeable scar on my leg and David was great to have on my side. He’s very easy to work with, would definitely recommend if you’re going through the same thing!

Michaela S.

Dave is so professional. My daughter was 6 when she was attacked by a friend of the family dog. I contacted Dave’s office and spoke with his secretary. She was so friendly and asked questions that made me feel comfortable. I was amazed by how fast the service was and everything was easy to understand. Dave made sure my daughter was compensated for her injuries and along with pain & suffering. There couldn’t be a more perfect choice but that’s because God helped me choose this great lawyer! He did an excellent job!!! She is 7 now and We are now able to move on better because of the help of Dave. Pick this lawyer!! I PROMISE YOU WONT REGRET ANYTHING AT ALL‼️ Thank you Dave!

Nieja M,

My entire experience with Dave and his team was 5 stars. They specialize in one thing, and this experience taught me why you want an attorney who specializes. Dave's knowledge, experience, and confidence is what made things go smoothly and quickly. Professional and quick responses always. If someone was bitten by a dog I recommend this guy, he will get you what you deserve.

Morgan K.

My wife got bit by a dog last spring; she immediately received medical care and we made a police report- all within 2 hours. Shortly thereafter, we decided to choose Attorney David to represent her. He walked us through the process. It is much more comfortable knowing that his practice only involves dog bites. He knows his stuff! We have just received notice that a fair settlement has been reached. If you have been bitten by a dog, my wife and I would highly recommend David Cowhey for an attorney. Thank you to David and his professional staff!

David D.

My 8 year old son was bitten by a neighborhood dog, leaving permanent scars on his abdomen. I immediately contacted David Cowhey. He explained the process very clearly and made it very easy for us to come to a fair settlement for my son. He was a perfect advocate for us, and he is very compassionate for the victim. We are very pleased with the hard work David has done for our son.

Stephanie D.

Lawyer Dave Cowhey (& his office) helped my wife, son and me immensely over the past 15 months. He is tremendously professional, responsive and proactive, as well as being, a great attorney. Thanks to Dave, we are now able to put our 'incident' behind us. I highly recommend his services - he will work hard and long for you to get you the settlement you deserve.

Seth K G

My experience with Dave and his law firm was wonderful. While I was nervous to start the process of something that I knew nothing about, he was extremely helpful and explained everything clearly and concisely. He answered all of my questions - day or night, weekday or weekend, and made sure I was comfortable at each step. I would highly recommend Dave and his firm!

Ariella L.

I absolutely loved my entire time of working with with Dave. He always kept my best interest in mind and made sure that I was taking care of. He was amazing at communicating all steps in the process with me, and never hesitated to answer any of my questions. Would highly recommend!

Amanda G.

Dave was extremely responsive and guided me thru the process with compassion. His specialization in dog bites really helped facilitate the process. He knows all the insurance issues and, despite the backlog of cases due to Covid, was able to settle my claim for more than we anticipated as well as earlier. I would definitely recommend Dave as I felt comfortable that I was getting the best advice every step of the way!

Kristen J.

Dave did extremely well by me and my family. He was nothing short of professional and assisted us through the entire process. I called him the day of the dog bite, and I followed his instructions to the "T". Him, and his staff, were knowledgeable on every step of the process. From medical advise, to advise on setting up our structured settlement for our child. If you need help right away, don't wait.... call him asap!!!

William W.

Dave was amazing, he handled my case with care , answered every question , email and helped me to understand the steps we needed to take. I had never dealt with a lawsuit before so of course I was nervous and thought I was going to get ripped off but nope. He was very professional and attentive. Hope I never need him again but should I ever need a lawyer for a dog bite i'm calling him first!

Neyia W.

Dave Cowhey was amazing during our case which was very personal in the sense that involved family members. He was candid and professional and always gave us his honest opinion to all our questions and concerns. He's a family man and understands how upsetting the situations are at hand. I wish he was a lawyer for everything honestly, he was fantastic! Highly recommended Dave and his team.

Courtney R.

My one year old dog and I were viciously attacked by a pit bull. I didn’t want to file a law suit initially until I realized the severity of the injuries both mentally and physically. Most lawyers are all about the money not for the justice and compassion of the victim. I am blessed to have found David. He was our hero who understood our situation was efficient knowledgeable and above all sincerely compassionate

Karol M.

Dave was hands on and always available. Steered me through the entire process and helped cover my medical costs and compensation for my scar and injury. Went over and Beyond and made me feel at ease and confident in a positive outcome. Would recommend to all.

COACH B

Honest, fast, responsive and professional. Great experience working with Mr. Cowhey and I highly recommend to handle any dog bite case.

Lilian P.

We contacted Dave when our 5 year old son was attacked by our neighbor's dog, resulting in deep wounds (and now scars) on his face and arm. Dave was extremely knowledgeable/helpful from the start, explaining how everything would work, and he was always available via phone/text if we had questions come up throughout the process. He always gave us all of the options/routes we could take and let us decide what was the best move for our family. He advocated for the best outcome for our son and always kept us in the loop. We were able to settle in a friendly hearing with the homeowner-insurance company, which was simple and straightforward, thanks to all of Dave's hard work behind-the-scenes. We definitely could not have navigated this process ourselves and we are very thankful for the help of Dave and his team!

Elisa H.

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