New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but even the friendliest dog can bite. Whether it’s a playful Golden Retriever, a protective Doberman, or a tiny Chihuahua, dogs often bring happiness and companionship to our lives. Unfortunately, even the most well-behaved dog can have a bad day. When a dog bites someone, it can cause serious injuries and raise important legal questions. 

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in New Jersey, it’s important to understand your rights and the steps you can take to protect yourself. New Jersey law provides strong protections for dog bite victims. After a bite, you may have questions about medical treatment, insurance coverage, and whether you are entitled to compensation. Many people are surprised to learn how much protection New Jersey law offers after a dog bite injury. 

In this guide, we’ll explain New Jersey’s dog bite laws, your rights as a victim, and the steps you should take after an animal attack.

Why New Jersey Is So Tough on Dog Bites

In most personal injury cases, you must prove that someone was negligent in order to recover damages. However, New Jersey dog bite law is different. Under New Jersey law, a dog’s owner can be responsible for any dog bite injuries even if the dog had never shown prior signs of aggression. 

N.J.S.A. 4:19-16 clearly states:

The owner of any dog which shall bite a person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place including the property of the owner of the dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.

In simpler terms, if you were bitten by a dog in New Jersey, you only need to prove three basic facts:

1. The person you want to sue owns the dog.
2. The dog bit you.
3. The bite happened in a public place, or on private property where you were legally allowed to be.

If you can prove these three elements, the dog owner is strictly liable for your injuries. It doesn’t matter if the dog was on a leash, had no history of aggression, or if warning signs were posted. As long as you were legally present and bitten, you have a strong claim for compensation under New Jersey law.

New Jersey lawmakers designed this rule to protect victims. While dogs are beloved companions, animal attacks often result in serious medical costs and emotional trauma. Rather than placing that burden on the injured person, New Jersey law holds the dog’s owner responsible for the injuries their pet caused.

How Do These Rules Play Out in Real Courtrooms

While New Jersey’s dog bite law is relatively straightforward on paper, real courtroom cases are often more complicated, Dog owners and the insurance companies sometimes make creative arguments to avoid liability or even try to blame the victim. Fortunately, New Jersey courts consistently uphold strong protections for dog bite victims.

Here are some notable New Jersey animal attack cases and what the courts decided:

1. Even if a dog bite does not break the skin or draw blood, you can still recover damages for injuries caused by the bite. Devivo v. Anderson, 410 N.J. Super. (Law. Div. 2009). 
2. You can also recover for other injuries sustained during a dog attack. For example, if a dog bites you and during the attack you suffer an eye laceration from the dog’s paw or a broken bone from being knocked down, you can recover for these injuries. Gross v. Dunham, 91 N.J. Super. 519 (App. Div. 1966). 
3. Business owners can be held liable for dog bite injuries if they know about a dangerous situation, such as a dog tied outside their store, and fail to take action to protect customers. Nakhla v. Singer-ShopRite, 205 N.J. Super. 184 (App. Div. 1985). 

New Jersey Law is clear, if a dog bite occurs, no matter how small the injury, the dog owner is responsible for any resulting injuries.

Special Considerations for Children and Workers

In New Jersey, the general rule is you have two years from the date of the accident/incident to file a lawsuit. However, children, who are often the most vulnerable victims, receive extra legal protections. Because children are still growing and are more likely to suffer long-term injuries or disfiguring facial scars, New Jersey law delays the two-year deadline.

For minors, the two-year time limit does not begin until their 18^th birthday. This gives young victims more time to seek justice. However, it is still important not to wait. It’s always best to speak with an experienced New Jersey dog bite lawyer as soon as possible while the evidence, witness memories, and medical records are still fresh.

Workers who are lawfully on private property, such as postal workers, delivery drivers, utility meter readers, or gig drivers (such as DoorDash or Uber Eats), are also protected under New Jersey’s strict dog bite laws. A New Jersey court has previously confirmed that workers injured while performing their duties on private property can recover compensation for dog bite injuries. Pingaro v. Rossi, 322 N.J. Super. 494 (App. Div. 1999). 

Dog Bite Victim Compensation

A serious dog bite can cause severe injuries that require emergency medical care, stitches, rabies treatment, surgery, physical therapy, and more. Victims can suffer from emotional distress, lost wages, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. Some injuries may not be immediately visible but can appear, or even worsen, months after the attack. Scarring, the need for physical therapy, future surgeries, lost time from work, and psychological injuries are present in many dog bite attack cases but are especially significant for young children who may face a lifetime of treatment and emotional challenges.

Under New Jersey’s dog bite laws, victims can recover compensation for:

1. Medical expenses (past and future)
2. Lost wages
3. Emotional distress and psychological injuries
4. Pain and suffering
5. Scarring and disfigurement

Insurance companies often try to base settlement offers only on the cost of medical bills. That’s where having an experienced New Jersey animal attacks lawyer can make a major difference. A lawyer will fight to ensure that you are fully compensated not just for your out-of-pocket expenses, but for the full impact the dog attack has had on your life.

An experienced attorney will also investigate whether the dog’s owner has homeowners insurance, renters insurance, or even umbrella coverage that could pay for your injuries. In some cases, claims may also be made against landlords, business owners, or other responsible parties, expanding your options for full compensation.

What to Do Following a Dog Bite

If you’ve been attacked by a dog, you may be in shock and unsure of what steps to take. Here’s what you should do immediately to protect your health and your legal rights:

• Seek immediate medical treatment. Dog bites can cause serious infections because dog saliva carries harmful bacteria that can turn a small wound into a major medical problem. Medical professionals can properly clean the wound, prescribe antibiotics, and assess whether you need stitches, a tetanus shot, or rabies treatment.

• Report the dog bite. Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.2a), all dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. However, not every pet owner follows the law. When seeking treatment, tell the hospital, urgent care center, or doctor that you were bitten by a dog. This will trigger an official animal bite report and an investigation into the dog’s vaccination status.

• Document the attack. While still at the scene of the attack, if it is safe to do so, try to collect the following information:

• Take photographs of the dog, your injuries, torn clothing, and any visible blood stains. 

• Get the dog owner’s name, address, phone number, and the dog’s license tag information if possible.

• Collect names and contact information for any witnesses who saw the attack.

• Preserve all physical evidence. Save any damaged clothing in a paper bag (not plastic) and do not wash it. It may be important evidence if you later file a lawsuit.

• Do not speak with the dog owner’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize claims. Even casual statements like “I’m fine” could be twisted into evidence that you were not seriously injured. Speak with an experienced New Jersey dog bite attorney before giving any statements.

The Typical Claim Timeline For Dog Bites

One of the most common questions dog bite victims ask is, “How long will my case take?” Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always simple. Each dog bite case is different, and the timeline depends on the unique facts, the severity of the injuries, and how the dog owner’s insurance company responds.

In general, straightforward cases can sometimes settle within a few months after the victim finishes medical treatment. More complex cases such as those involving serious injuries, disputed facts, or multiple liable parties will often require filing a lawsuit and can take anywhere from 12 months to over 3 years to fully resolve. 

Experienced New Jersey dog bite attorneys have a full toolbox of strategies to help move your case forward efficiently. Options like mediation, direct settlement negotiations, and binding arbitration can help resolve cases faster while still fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.

It is important to understand that a responsible attorney will not recommend settling your case until you have either completed medical treatment or your doctors can confidently predict your future medical needs and expenses.

Settling too early could mean giving up fair compensation for future treatments, surgeries, or therapies you might need.

The Future of New Jersey Dog Bite Law

New Jersey continues to focus on strengthening protections for dog bite victims. Currently, two bills are under consideration that could change the legal landscape.

Bill S3172 would limit strict liability for bites that occur inside veterinary offices. If passed, veterinary employees bitten by a dog would need to prove the dog’s owner was negligent, such as by showing the owner failed to disclose a history of aggression.

Bill S540 would impose criminal penalties on owners who “bite-and-run” without leaving their contact information and other critical information with the victim of the dog bite.

As of May 1, 2025, neither bill has been signed into law. However, the introduction of these proposals shows that New Jersey remains committed to protecting dog bite victims and holding dog owners accountable.

Here at Scura, Wigfield, Heyer, Stevens & Cammarota, we stay up to date on all proposed changes to New Jersey dog bite law. We ensure our clients are informed and ready to take advantage of any new legal protection that could benefit their case.

Final Thoughts and Your Next Steps

New Jersey dog bite law protects victims by placing the financial responsibility for dog attacks on the dog’s owner or insurance company. Remember, you generally have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit. If the victim is a minor, the two-year period does not begin to run until their 18^th birthday, giving young victims additional time to see justice.

After a dog bite, your first priority should be to seek immediate medical treatment. Once your injuries are stabilized, it’s critical to contact an experienced New Jersey dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Early legal action helps preserve evidence, protect your rights, and build the strongest possible case for your recovery. 

If you or your child has been bitten, whether by a seemingly harmless Miniature Labradoodle or a stranger’s unleased German Shepherd, call Scura, Wigfield, Heyer, Stevens & Cammarota today for a free consultation. You can also submit a confidential form on our website, and one of our lawyers will contact you promptly to discuss your case.

Consultations are always free, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. With offices throughout North Jersey and secure video conferencing options, we’re ready to meet whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you. Take your first step toward physical and financial recovery by contacting us today.

Read More:

• When Is a Dog Owner Liable for a Dog Bite in New Jersey?
• Curious About New Jersey Dog Bite Laws? Let Our Personal Injury Attorneys Explain
• When You Need a New Jersey Dog Bite Injury Lawyer