A New Jersey dog bite attorney knows that it is possible for people to be injured beyond just dog bites. A dog can easily cause anyone, whether they are old or young, to slip and fall. Whether it’s a large dog bumping into an elderly person, or a small dog getting its leash caught up around a child’s legs, the situation can lead to a slip and a fall.
Aside from dog bites, injured victims can pursue legal remedies and acquire compensation if they suffer from an injury such as being knocked over from a dog. The main legal pathway that is pursued in these cases would be a civil negligence claim, handled in civil court.
What is a Negligence Claim?
A negligence claim can be pursued when several elements are met. This involves the injured party showing that a dog owner had a duty to take reasonable care and control their dog’s behavior, the owner breached or failed to uphold that responsibility, and as a result of that failure a person was injured.
When litigating this type of case, a dog’s history is also relevant. For example, if a dog has a history of being hyperactive and running up to strangers, the owner should reasonably understand that they must maintain strict control of that dog’s leash. A reasonable person would know that if a large dog is hyperactive and runs up to and jumps on people on icy sidewalks without leash control, it could lead to an injury.
Lastly, for negligence claims, the statute of limitations is two years. This means that the injured party must file a lawsuit within two years of discovering their injury.
What Should You Do After The Injury?
Seeking medical attention is the most important first step you should take. After getting medical attention, you should attempt to document the scene, contact animal control, and gather the contact information of the dog owner and any witnesses.
You should also contact an experienced personal injury attorney before agreeing to sign any paperwork from the dog owner or the dog owner’s insurance company. An experienced attorney will quickly identify what evidence needs to be gathered, and what the best strategy is to handle your claim.
Contact Peter Briskin, Esq.
If you’ve suffered an injury from a dog, contact the law offices of Peter Briskin for a confidential consultation. Regardless of how your injury was sustained, it is a good idea to explore the different legal remedies that are available to you.