Paramus Dog Bite Lawyers
Seasoned trial lawyers seek maximum compensation for animal attacks
Dog is man’s best friend. Until he isn’t. The canine that loyally serves a master can suddenly and viciously turn on an innocent bystander, inflicting terrible injury. If you or a loved one has been bitten, mauled, or knocked down by a dog, Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus is ready to help. We are proven trial attorneys with a strong record of success in high-stakes litigation. We are prepared to pursue the full compensation your injuries deserve.
Heavy toll of dog bites across the country and in the Garden State
If you have been harmed by a biting dog in New Jersey, you are certainly not alone. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were 19,062 dog bite claims in the U.S. in 2023, totaling $1.1 billion in damages. Our Garden State ranked ninth in the nation with 649 bite claims, amounting to $40.4 million. This might surprise many folks, because New Jersey has one of the lowest rates of pet ownership in the country. But we are also the most densely populated state, so those biting dogs enjoy a target-rich environment, often with tragic consequences.
Common injuries from dog attacks in New Jersey
Dog bite injuries vary widely based on the size of the dog and its viciousness. Any dog will snap if provoked, but in many instances, a nip will barely break the skin. But larger dogs, especially those who’ve been mistreated or trained to attack, have tremendous potential to inflict harm. Injuries from dog bites include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Torn muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Shock from blood loss
- Scarring and disfigurement
Dog attacks also inflict psychological harm, so that victims suffer from night terrors, agoraphobia, and panic attacks, among other symptoms.
Small children and older adults are most vulnerable to dog attacks, and are most likely to sustain fatal injuries.
In addition to being bitten or mauled, victims can suffer injuries from large dogs knocking them down and causing a severe fall.
New Jersey dog bite law and owner liability
New Jersey has a “strict liability” law that holds a dog’s owner responsible for injuries when the animal bites, provided the victim was on public property or was legally on private property at the time. It doesn’t matter whether the dog had ever been vicious before or whether the owner knew of its aggressive tendencies.
If the dog bites the victim, the owner is also strictly liable for injuries that resulted when the dog jumped on the victim. If the dog did not bite, the victim must prove the owner was negligent to obtain compensation for injuries from a dog jumping up and/or knocking a victim down.
New Jersey’s statute of limitations allows bite victims two years to file a lawsuit. However, it is always best to contact a dog bite attorney as soon as possible after the incident. This allows us to investigate your case and get witnesses to testify for the record before their memories fade. Quick action can also prevent a vicious dog from attacking someone else.
Contact Razi & Giampa Law, LLC in Paramus for a free dog bite consultation
Razi & Giampa Law in Paramus provides highly professional and personalized legal services for clients attacked by dogs in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey. To schedule a free consultation at our office, in your home, or at the hospital, call us today at 201-534-5011 or contact our firm online.
