Dog attacks cause serious injuries every year and cost millions in insurance claims annually. Outside of the medical damages suffered from these traumatizing experiences, what compensation options do injured victims have for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment, or disfigurement? In New Jersey, when a dog owner’s negligence is egregious and causes severe harm to others, one can sue for more serious damages.
What is Gross Negligence?
According to state law, gross negligence is an act or failure to act which is more severe than normal negligent behavior. There doesn’t have to be a purposeful or intentional desire to cause harm. Still, the defendant’s conduct created a significant unreasonable risk of injury to others because of their lack of care.
Examples of gross negligence involving a dog bite or attack could include:
- Failing to secure a dog they know to be vicious
- Purposely ignoring leash laws
- Intentionally training their dog to attack others
To determine if your dog attack case meets the standards for gross negligence under state law, speak with a knowledgeable New Jersey dog bite attorney right away.
Punitive Damages in Negligence Cases
In some rare instances, additional punitive damages may be warranted for the level of negligence the at-fault party committed. These are not intended to make you whole financially but to punish the defendant for what they did. The hope is it will deter future negligent conduct and set an example for others.
NJ Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases
Like all the other states in the union, New Jersey has a legal time limit on how long you have to file your dog bite lawsuit. Most victims have two years from the date of their injuries to take action, though this could be a shorter period depending on your case. Failing to meet this deadline means you will likely lose your right to file suit and recoup the damages you suffered.
In situations where you are suing a state or local government agency, different timetables apply. Make sure to discuss your injury case with a skilled attorney as soon as you are able.
Start Your Case Now
As you are quickly discovering, there are a lot of rules and conditions involved in a New Jersey dog bite lawsuit. By retaining a seasoned New Jersey dog bite attorney, you not only get an experienced guide through the process, but you can better focus on your recovery. So get your case started today and schedule a free consultation.
