What to Do If Neighbor’s Dog Bites You – Essential Steps

What to do if neighbor’s dog bites you? First, it’s crucial to take immediate action to ensure your safety and health. Then, you will need to gather evidence and protect your legal rights. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to take right after the bite.

Key Takeaways

• Seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten by a neighbor’s dog to prevent serious injuries and infections, and create a documented medical record.
• Document the incident thoroughly with photos, witness contact information, and a detailed written account to support any potential legal or compensation claims.

Dog bites can cause serious injuries and lasting trauma, especially to children and the elderly. In New Jersey, dog owners are held strictly liable for the actions of their dogs, ensuring victims receive the compensation they deserve. At Rossetti & DeVoto, P.C., we have the experience, compassion, and talent to handle your case effectively.

Our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers will fight tirelessly to secure fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact us today for a no-obligation case review. Your justice is our mission.

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Immediate Medical Care

If a neighbor’s dog bit you, your top priority is to seek immediate medical help. Particularly if the dog bite is deep or involves children, prompt medical attention can stave off grave injuries and life-threatening infections. Don’t underestimate the severity of neighbor’s dog bites; what may seem like a minor wound can quickly escalate into a serious medical issue if left untreated.

Dog bites, which can result from a dog attack, can lead to a range of severe injuries that require immediate medical care for the dog bite victim. These can include:

• Facial lacerations
• Potential blindness
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Nerve damage
• Partial amputation of fingers, nose, ears, or other extremities
• Fractures
• Emotional trauma
• Tragically, even death

Considering these risks, it is imperative to seek medical attention for an immediate assessment and treatment from a healthcare professional.

Regardless of the wound’s perceived severity, medical attention is vital. A doctor can properly clean the wound, determine if stitches are necessary, and prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection. If you’re unable to see your primary physician immediately, don’t hesitate to visit an urgent care center. Remember, prompt medical care not only ensures your physical well-being but also creates a documented record of your injuries, which may be invaluable if you decide to pursue legal action or an insurance claim later.

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Document the Incident

After obtaining medical help, meticulously documenting the incident is of utmost importance. Detailed documentation creates a paper trail that could bolster your case if you opt for compensation or legal action. Gather as much information as possible about the incident, including photos of your injuries, the location where the bite occurred, and any visible wounds or torn clothing.

Don’t forget to collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the attack. Their statements can provide an objective account of what happened, which can be invaluable in supporting your version of events. If possible, try to obtain any relevant documentation about the dog, such as its vaccination records or history of aggressive behavior.

Make sure to write a detailed account of the incident as soon as you’re able. Include the sequence of events leading up to the bite, the attack itself, and what happened immediately after. Be as specific as possible, noting the date, time, and exact location of the incident. This written record, along with your photos and witness information, will help create a comprehensive picture of the event, which can be crucial in determining liability and pursuing fair compensation for your injuries.

Verify Rabies Vaccination

Once your safety is guaranteed and the incident has been documented, it’s paramount to confirm the dog’s rabies vaccination status. This information is significant for your health and tranquility. Start by trying to identify the dog and its owner. If possible, calmly approach the owner and ask for information about the dog’s vaccination history, particularly its rabies shots.

If the owner is uncooperative or you’re unable to obtain this information directly, don’t worry. You can check with your county’s registry for animal vaccines to confirm the dog’s vaccination status. This step is essential because it helps determine whether you need to undergo rabies shots or any other preventive treatment.

It’s important to note that most state laws, including those in New Jersey, mandate reporting dog bites to limit the spread of rabies. In fact, New Jersey law requires that all animal bites be reported to the Health Officer in the jurisdiction where the exposed person lives. Physicians in New Jersey are obligated to report animal bites to the Health Officer within 12 hours of attending to the victim. Following this report, Health Officers in New Jersey will quarantine the dog for observation for 10 days from the date of the bite. This process helps ensure your safety and contributes to public health measures against rabies.

Report the Bite

Reporting the dog bite to local authorities is an integral step that cannot be bypassed. This action serves multiple purposes:

• It ensures that the dog is properly assessed for potential risks
• It creates an official record of the incident
• It may prevent future attacks involving the same animal

If you are bitten, please reach out to your local animal control office or call the non-emergency police line to report the incident. It’s important to take action promptly to ensure safety for both you and others.

In situations where the dog poses an immediate danger after the bite, don’t hesitate to call 911 to report the incident to the police. However, even if the dog doesn’t appear dangerous at the moment, it’s still important to report the bite to your local health department. This step is not about getting the dog or its owner in trouble; it’s about ensuring public safety and following proper protocols.

Remember, the decision about what happens to the neighbor’s dog after a bite incident is not in your hands. The local town or city authorities, along with the animal control officer, will determine the appropriate course of action regarding the dog. By reporting the incident, especially if the neighbors dog bit someone, you’re providing valuable information that helps these officials make informed decisions to protect both you and your community from potential future incidents.

👉Also Read: The Biggest Risk Factors for Animal Bites

Avoid Confrontation with Dog Owner

It’s normal to feel angry or upset after a dog bite incident involving an aggressive dog. Yet, approaching the dog’s owner with calmness and rationality is essential. Remaining calm can prevent the situation from escalating and may lead to a more productive conversation. When speaking with the owner, avoid making sudden movements or raising your voice, as this could make them defensive or uncooperative.

When explaining the incident to the owner, stick to the facts. Describe what happened without assigning blame or making accusations. This approach can help maintain open communication and may make the owner more willing to provide important information about their dog, such as vaccination records. Remember, your goal is to gather information and ensure your safety, not to win an argument. It’s important to note that it could be the same dog involved in similar incidents.

It’s important to react proportionately to the severity of the dog bite while maintaining open communication with the owner. If the owner becomes confrontational or refuses to cooperate, don’t engage in an argument. Instead, politely end the conversation and focus on following the other steps in this guide, such as seeking medical attention and reporting the incident to the proper authorities. Your safety and well-being should always be your top priority.

Follow Medical Advice

Post initial medical treatment for your dog bite, adhering to all the medical advice provided by your healthcare provider is of utmost importance. This typically includes completing the full course of prescribed antibiotics, even if you start feeling better before finishing them. Antibiotics play a vital role in preventing infections that can arise from dog bites, which can be particularly dangerous due to the bacteria present in a dog’s mouth.

Make sure to attend all follow-up appointments scheduled by your doctor. These check-ups allow your healthcare provider to monitor the healing process and catch any potential complications early. During these visits, don’t hesitate to ask questions or voice any concerns you may have about your recovery. Your doctor can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation and the severity of your injury.

In between medical visits, it’s your responsibility to:

• Keep the wound clean and dry to minimize the risk of infection
• Be vigilant in watching for signs of complications, such as increased redness, swelling, or the presence of pus
• If you notice any of these symptoms, or if you develop a fever, contact your doctor immediately.

Additionally, if your healthcare provider recommended a tetanus shot, ensure you receive it within the advised timeframe. By diligently following medical advice, you’re giving yourself the best chance for a smooth and complete recovery from your dog bite injury.

👉Also Read: I Was Bitten by My Neighbor’s Dog. What Can I Do?

Understanding Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

In New Jersey, victims of dog bite injuries have the right to fair compensation for their suffering and losses. This compensation can cover a wide range of damages, both economic and non-economic. Economic damages are tangible losses that have a clear monetary value, such as medical expenses and lost wages. For instance, if you had to miss work due to your injuries, you could be compensated for the income you would have earned during that time.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, address the intangible impacts of the dog bite. These can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In New Jersey, injured dog bite victims are entitled to fair compensation for their pain and suffering, disability and impairment, and loss of the enjoyment of life. This means that if the dog bite has significantly impacted your quality of life or caused lasting emotional trauma, you may be eligible for additional compensation beyond just your medical bills and lost wages.

It’s important to note that compensation in dog bite cases can be quite comprehensive. In addition to immediate medical expenses, it may cover:

• Future medical costs, especially if you require ongoing treatment or reconstructive surgeries
• Damages for scarring and disfigurement, which recognizes the long-term physical and emotional impact of visible injuries
• In some cases, where the dog owner’s behavior was particularly egregious, punitive damages may even be awarded

Understanding the full scope of potential compensation can help ensure that you receive fair and just recompense for your injuries and suffering.

New Jersey Dog Bite Laws

New Jersey enforces specific laws to safeguard victims of dog bites. If you’ve been bitten by a neighbor’s dog, comprehending these laws is indispensable. When it comes to dog bites, the state operates under a “strict liability” rule. This means that dog owners are held responsible for any injuries caused by their pets, regardless of the dog’s previous behavior. This means that the owner of the dog is automatically responsible for any bites caused by their animal, regardless of whether they knew the dog had aggressive tendencies or whether they took precautions to prevent the bite.

This strict liability law applies in most situations where a dog bite occurs. However, there is one important caveat: if the bite occurred on the owner’s property, the victim must have been legally present on the property for the owner to be held liable. This means that if you were trespassing when the bite occurred, the owner might not be automatically responsible for your injuries. It’s also worth noting that while dog owners are strictly liable, other individuals such as landlords or business establishments can potentially be held responsible if their negligence contributed to the dog bite incident.

Another crucial aspect of New Jersey’s dog bite laws is the statute of limitations. In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of the dog bite incident to file a lawsuit. This time limit is important to keep in mind as you navigate your recovery and consider your legal options.

Additionally, it’s important to be aware of the concept of comparative negligence in New Jersey. If you’re found to be partially responsible for the dog bite incident (for example, if you provoked the dog), your potential settlement could be reduced proportionately to your degree of fault. Understanding these nuances of New Jersey dog bite laws can help you navigate the legal process more effectively and ensure you’re taking the right steps to protect your rights.

👉Also Read: Dog and Animal Bites

Consulting a Dog Bite Attorney

After a dog bite incident, consulting an experienced dog bite lawyer or personal injury lawyer is crucial for navigating the complex legal landscape and ensuring you receive fair compensation. Here’s how we can help:

• Free Consultation: After a dog bite incident, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll discuss the specifics of your case, allowing you to understand your legal options without any financial commitment.
• Case Evaluation: Our seasoned legal team will meticulously evaluate your case. We’ll gather all necessary evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, and any relevant documentation to build a strong case.
• Legal Strategy: We will develop a personalized legal strategy tailored to your unique circumstances. Our team excels at negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
• Filing Claims: We will file all necessary claims against the responsible parties. In almost all cases, the homeowner’s insurance policy for the dog owner pays for the attorney and settlement. For claims against business establishments or landlords, the general liability insurance policy typically covers the damages.
• Negotiation and Settlement: Our experienced attorneys will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We aim to secure the best possible settlement for your case, compensating you for medical expenses, emotional trauma, scarring, disfigurement, and other damages.
• Litigation: If necessary, we will represent you in court. Our track record of success in dog bite cases speaks to our ability to effectively advocate for our clients.

Our team of accomplished personal injury lawyers New Brunswick, including Andrew J. Rossetti, Louis J. DeVoto, Mark Caira, and Christina M. Rossetti, is dedicated to providing personalized legal services tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. We care deeply about our clients and will fight for you as if you were one of our own family members.

👉Also Read: New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney or National PI Firm? Who is Best for You?

Get Expert Advice from a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer on Dog Bite Laws

Advocating for yourself while recovering from a bite injury can be challenging. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Rossetti & DeVoto, PC. Our dedicated team will help you explore your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call our personal injury law firm at 856-475-8261 or submit the contact form.

Remember, consulting with a personal injury attorney doesn’t mean you’re committing to legal action; it’s an opportunity to understand your rights, assess the strength of your case, and make an informed decision about how to proceed after a dog bite incident.