Dog Bite Lawyer in Bergen County, NJ | Free Consultation

Dog attacks in Bergen County, NJ cause devastating injuries — deep lacerations, permanent scarring, nerve damage, broken bones, rabies exposure, and lasting psychological trauma. When a dog owner’s negligence allows their animal to injure you, New Jersey law gives you the right to seek compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

At Siddons Law Firm, our dog bite attorneys have recovered settlements ranging from $25,000 to over $300,000 for victims across New Jersey. We have handled numerous cases involving horribly injured victims, including several involving rabies exposure that required emergency medical intervention.

New Jersey Dog Bite Laws

New Jersey is a strict liability state for dog bites under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16. The dog owner is liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog had a prior history of aggression and regardless of whether the owner took precautions to restrain the animal. You only need to prove you were lawfully on the property or in a public place and were bitten by the defendant’s dog. This makes New Jersey one of the most favorable states for dog bite victims.

New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. You can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Provocation of the dog is the most common defense — but the burden is on the owner to prove provocation.

Common Dog Bite Injuries We Handle in Bergen County

Our attorneys represent dog bite victims throughout Bergen County suffering from deep puncture wounds and lacerations requiring stitches or surgery, permanent scarring and disfigurement (especially facial injuries), nerve damage causing numbness or loss of function, broken bones from being knocked down during an attack, infections including rabies exposure requiring emergency post-exposure prophylaxis, tendon and muscle damage, post-traumatic stress disorder and severe anxiety around animals, and injuries requiring reconstructive or plastic surgery.

Rabies Exposure Cases

Some of the most serious dog bite cases our firm has handled involve rabies exposure — situations where the attacking dog was unvaccinated, had unknown vaccination status, or could not be located for quarantine testing. Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear, making every exposure a medical emergency. Victims require immediate post-exposure prophylaxis costing $3,000 to $7,000 or more. Dog owners who fail to vaccinate their animals violate New Jersey law, creating strong evidence of negligence that supports higher damage awards.

Compensation Available for Bergen County Dog Bite Victims

Dog bite victims in Bergen County can pursue compensation for emergency medical treatment and surgery, reconstructive and plastic surgery for scarring, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis and follow-up care, lost wages during recovery, pain and suffering, emotional distress and psychological treatment, permanent disfigurement, and diminished quality of life. Our settlements for dog bite victims range from $25,000 for moderate injuries to over $300,000 for severe attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after a dog bite in Bergen County?

Seek medical attention immediately, especially if the wound is deep or the dog’s rabies vaccination status is unknown. Report the incident to Bergen County animal control. Photograph your injuries and the location of the attack. Get the dog owner’s name, address, and homeowner’s insurance information. Contact a dog bite attorney before speaking with any insurance company.

Does the dog owner’s insurance cover dog bite claims?

In most cases, yes. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies typically include liability coverage for dog bites, often with limits of $100,000 to $300,000 or more. This is the primary source of compensation in most dog bite cases.

How much is my Bergen County dog bite case worth?

Settlement values depend on injury severity, scarring, medical costs, and psychological impact. Our firm has recovered $25,000 to over $300,000 for dog bite victims. Cases involving children, facial scarring, or rabies exposure typically result in higher settlements. Contact us for a free case evaluation.