New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers

When it comes to dog bites, New Jersey law is exceptionally favorable to the victim. Our state operates under a "Strict Liability" statute for dog bites (N.J.S.A. 4:19-16).

In many other states, a dog owner is protected by the "One Bite Rule," meaning they are only liable if they knew the dog had a history of aggression or had bitten someone before. New Jersey has abolished the One Free Bite rule. Under New Jersey’s strict liability statute, the owner of a dog is entirely legally responsible for the damages their animal causes the very first time it bites, regardless of the dog’s past behavior, breed, or how carefully the owner tried to restrain it. To win your case, the attorneys at Pinnacle Injury Law generally only need to prove three elements:

• 1 The defendant owned the dog.
• 2 The dog bit you.
• 3 You were in a public place, or lawfully on private property (such as an invited guest or a mail carrier), when the bite occurred.

One of the most common reasons dog bite victims delay contacting an attorney is because the dog belongs to a neighbor or an acquaintance. You may fear that filing a lawsuit will bankrupt them or force them out of their home.

This is a common misconception that insurance companies rely on to avoid paying claims. When Pinnacle Injury Law files a dog bite claim, we are almost never seeking money directly from the dog owner’s personal bank account. We are filing a claim against their Homeowner’s Insurance or Renter’s Insurance policy.

These policies specifically include liability coverage precisely for these types of accidents. It is the insurance company—a multi-billion dollar corporation—that pays for your medical bills, your reconstructive surgeries, and your pain and suffering. We manage this process discreetly and professionally, ensuring you get the compensation you need without the guilt of personally suing a neighbor.

A dog attack is a chaotic event that results in a wide array of devastating injuries. A dog's jaws are capable of exerting hundreds of pounds of pressure per square inch, and an attacking dog frequently knocks victims to the ground.

Pinnacle Injury Law has the specialized medical knowledge and legal resources to litigate the full spectrum of dog bite trauma. Our dedicated sub-practice areas include:

The steps you take in the minutes and days following an attack are critical to both your physical health and your legal claim:

1. 1

   Seek Immediate Medical Attention

   Dog bites have an astronomical rate of infection. Go to the emergency room or urgent care immediately to have the wound cleaned, stitched, and to begin rabies protocol if the dog's vaccination status is unknown.

2. 2

   Identify the Dog and Owner

   Secure the name, address, and contact information of the person who owns the dog.

3. 3

   Report the Attack

   Contact your local police department and municipal Animal Control immediately. An official report documents the date, time, and circumstances of the attack, which is vital evidence for your claim.

4. 4

   Photograph Everything

   Take high-resolution photos of your injuries before they are bandaged, your torn or bloody clothing, and the location where the attack occurred.

5. 5

   Do Not Speak to the Insurance Adjuster

   The homeowner's insurance company will call you quickly, often asking to record your statement. They are looking for ways to blame you (e.g., claiming you provoked the dog or ignored a "Beware of Dog" sign). Hang up and call Pinnacle Injury Law.

Insurance adjusters trivialize dog bites. They will attempt to offer a quick, lowball settlement to cover your initial emergency room visit, entirely ignoring the fact that you may need plastic surgery next year, or that you now suffer from debilitating panic attacks whenever you hear a dog bark.

At Pinnacle Injury Law, we prepare your case for maximum value from day one. We partner with top-tier reconstructive surgeons, infectious disease specialists, and psychologists to comprehensively document the lifelong impact of your attack. We aggressively demand compensation for:

• All emergency medical care, rabies treatments, and hospitalizations.
• Future reconstructive and plastic surgeries to minimize permanent scarring.
• Lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working.
• Profound physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life.