Toddler Mauled by Pit Bull at Community Garage Sale
Many people enjoy attending garage sales. Community ones can be especially fun, since you can explore various sales within a short distance. This can be a fun outing for a family — that is, until a loved one is bitten by a loose dog.
This is what happened to a New Jersey family in September 2022. The family was on a property during a garage sale in Kinnelon on September 24, 2022, when a pit bull got loose and attacked a toddler.
The 18-month-old boy was in a stroller when the attack occurred. The pit bull pounced on the toddler, causing permanent scars, according to a lawsuit filed against the homeowner in Superior Court in Morris County in September 2023.
The mother stepped in and fought with the pit bull. She was able to pull the dog off her son. She was injured and covered in her son’s blood. The dog had bitten her toddler’s cheek. The baby’s grandmother was just a few feet away and witnessed the attack and the struggle to get the pit bull off the child.
The 18-month-old child was taken to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where he underwent extensive treatment for his injuries. The child was left with permanent scarring that will be noticeable throughout his life.
The lawsuit accuses the homeowners of failing to control and properly handle their dog. They have been accused of carelessness, negligence, and failure to supervise the animal. The lawsuit also names the borough as defendants, since it was the one that sponsored the town-wide garage sale as a fundraiser for the town’s fire department. It is unknown how much the family is seeking in damages.
Damages in Dog Bite Cases
A dog bite can cause significant damages, depending on the severity of the case. The amount of damages will depend on the severity of the wounds as well as how the attack has affected the victim’s life. For example, while an attack on a child is devastating, lawsuits often do not result in significant damages, since the child likely did not work or support their household. On the other hand, a dog bite involving a working parent would garner significantly more money, especially since the woman would be suffering from not only medical bills, but also lost wages and possibly a lost ability to take care of her family.
Other damages that may be present in a dog bite case include pain and suffering, mental anguish, property damage, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. If the dog bite was fatal, then it would turn into a wrongful death lawsuit. The victim’s family could recover compensation for funeral and burial expenses as well as loss of support for any dependents.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Dog attacks can be devastating no matter who the victim is, but babies and young children tend to suffer even more severe injuries due to their small size.
If you have been injured by a pit bull or other breed of dog, seek legal help right away. A Morristown dog bite injury attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can assist you with your case. Get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call (973) 455-1567 or fill out the online form.
Source:
nj.com/morris/2023/09/pit-bull-mauled-toddler-in-stroller-at-nj-towns-community-garage-sale-lawsuit-says.html
