New Jersey Dog Bite Attorney
If you have never been bitten by a dog before, you may be confused about the process. Should you go to the doctor? Do you file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner? Should you hire a lawyer? You probably have a lot of questions and concerns. That’s why you need aggressive legal representation on your side. The New Jersey dog bite attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff, P.A. can help you understand the state laws that apply to your case.
How Will You Get Your Money?
So you got injured in a dog attack. What happens next? Your medical bills are piling up. How will you go about getting compensation for your injuries and other damages?
The process is not always cut and dry. There are four main ways in which you could receive compensation for a dog bite:
- Homeowners insurance. This is the most common way for dog bite victims to get compensated for their damages. If the dog owner has insurance on their home, then it will cover dog bites. The owner will not have to pay for damages out of pocket.
- If the dog owner has no insurance, then you may have to negotiate with the dog owner on a settlement amount. This is when having a lawyer is helpful. A lawyer can assess your case and help you determine all the costs involved so you can obtain a full and fair settlement.
- If the dog bite was the result of a crime, then you can receive restitution as a victim. It’s not easy to do, though. The defendant has to be convicted of a crime related to the dog attack. Plus, the criminal sentence has to include restitution to the victim; it cannot be added on at a later date.
- If all else fails, you can always file a lawsuit in court. It will likely need to be filed in a regular court, since in New Jersey, small claims court is limited to amounts under $3,000. If you are seeking up to $15,000, you can file your claim in the Special Civil Part-Civil of the Superior Court. However, most dog bite cases are worth much more than that. The court can make a judgment in your case, but that does not mean that the dog owner will actually pay the amount. You may need to contact law enforcement to get the owner to pay the judgment through garnished wages, seized property, and liens on bank accounts.
Contact a New Jersey Dog Bite Attorney
Each state is different when it comes to the laws involved. Do you know the laws involved? What will you do to protect your legal rights?
The New Jersey dog bite attorneys at The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff, P.A. understand the laws involved and will ensure you understand your rights. To schedule a free consultation with our office, call (973) 455-1567.
