Dog Attack Results In $110,000 Settlement

Dogs are not always the friendly creatures they are made out to be. Dogs can attack and cause a lot of harm to victims. Even police officers can be held liable when their dogs attack people in their homes.

A child’s family recently received a $110,000 settlement from a dog bite that occurred five years ago. The lawsuit was filed against the Robbinsville Police Department as well as a Robbinsville police officer.

The girl visited the home of the police officer in January 2018 as a legal and lawful visitor. Her age is unknown, although she was an infant at the time of the attack, according to the court docket. While she was there, a dog attacked her. The girl suffered permanent personal injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. As a result, the girl’s mother suffered economic losses due to the dog attack.

The offending dog belonged to the police department but was in the custody of the police officer at the time.

The case was settled for $110,000. The settlement amount was based on certification by the victim’s plastic surgeon. Half of the judgment — $55,000 —was assessed against the police officer, while the other half was assessed against the police department. The girl’s attorney received $29,641.44 and the remaining $80,538.56 was put into a trust for the girl. The case is called Jennifer Clifton, et al, v. Robbinsville Police Department, et al, and can be found on New Jersey Superior Court Docket No. OCN-L-1240-21.

Effects of Dog Bites

Dog bites can be serious in nature, causing severe injuries to the skin and soft tissues due to the dog’s powerful teeth and jaws. They can easily tear muscles, crush bones, and cause serious or fatal damage to internal organs. Even if a bite does not break the skin, it can still cause bruises.

A dog can bite any part of a victim’s body but most bites are inflicted on the legs or around the head and neck. The neck is especially vulnerable, as there are many vital structures that could be injured, including nerves, major blood vessels, the esophagus, and the trachea. Many dog bites occur on the face as well. The eyes, ears, or mouth could all be injured.

Since the dog’s mouth is full of bacteria, infections are also a concern. The bacteria can easily spread throughout the underlying tissues. Therefore, all wounds should be examined by a medical professional promptly. Left untreated, an infected bite wound can lead to cellulitis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, septic peritonitis, or pyothorax. These diseases can be long-term or even fatal.

Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Dog owners need to be responsible for their canines when visitors are over at their home. Nobody is immune or exempt — not even police officers.

If you have been attacked by a dog, you are likely suffering from significant damages. Seek legal help from a Morristown dog bite attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff. We’ll make sure you get full and fair compensation. To schedule a free consultation, fill out the online form or call (973) 455-1567.

Source:

midjersey.news/2023/01/10/robbinsville-police-dog-bite-case-settles-for-110000/