Top Rated New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer

Bitten By A Dog In New Jersey? Strict Liability Is On Your Side.

New Jersey is a strict liability state for dog bites. That means the owner is liable for your injuries even if the dog had never bitten anyone before — even if the owner had no reason to suspect the dog was dangerous. This is one of the most plaintiff-favorable laws in NJ tort. Goldman Law Firm represents dog bite victims on contingency: no fee unless we win. Call 908-692-7745 for a free consultation.

NJ Dog Bite Statute — N.J.S.A. 4:19-16

New Jersey’s dog bite statute is short and direct. The owner of any dog that bites a person is liable for damages if:

• The person was lawfully on private property (with permission) or in a public place;
• The bite was the cause of the injury.

That’s it. The plaintiff does not have to prove the dog had bitten before. Does not have to prove the owner was negligent. Does not have to prove anything about the dog’s prior behavior or breed. Strict liability — the owner pays.

What Damages Can You Recover?

• Medical bills — ER, surgical repair, plastic surgery, infection treatment, follow-up
• Future medical care — scar revision, reconstructive surgery, ongoing psychological care
• Lost wages — past + future
• Pain and suffering — physical pain, emotional distress, fear, anxiety
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement — particularly significant for facial bites
• Loss of enjoyment of life — fear of dogs going forward, lifestyle limitations
• For child victims — additional considerations for development and lifelong impact

Common Sources Of Recovery

Most NJ dog bite cases are covered by:

• Homeowners insurance — most NJ homeowner policies cover dog bites by the owner’s dog, with policy limits typically $100,000–$500,000+
• Renters insurance — same principle for renters
• Umbrella policies — for higher-value cases
• Commercial policies — if the bite happened at a business (kennel, pet store, dog daycare, hotel, etc.)

The owner doesn’t pay out of pocket in most cases — their insurance does. That doesn’t change the strict liability analysis, but it makes recovery practical.

Common NJ Dog Bite Scenarios

• Bite at a friend or family member’s home — strict liability applies (the relationship doesn’t change the analysis)
• Bite by a neighbor’s dog — when the dog is on the loose or you’re on their property lawfully
• Bite at a public park or sidewalk — public place coverage
• Bite at a business — pet store, dog daycare, kennel, vet office, dog park
• Bite while delivering — USPS, UPS, Amazon, food delivery, utility workers all covered
• Child bitten — children are particularly common dog bite victims and often suffer facial injuries

Defenses NJ Owners Try (And How We Defeat Them)

• “The victim provoked the dog.” Provocation is a defense in NJ dog bite cases — but it’s interpreted narrowly. Children especially are rarely deemed to have “provoked” a dog as a legal matter.
• “The victim was trespassing.” Strict liability only applies if you were lawfully on the property. We establish lawful presence (invitation, business reason, social guest, etc.).
• “It wasn’t a bite — it was a scratch / knockdown.” The statute applies to bites specifically. For non-bite injuries (knockdown, scratch), common-law negligence applies — still recoverable in most cases, just under a different theory.
• “The dog has never bitten before.” Doesn’t matter. NJ is strict liability — prior bite history is not required.

What To Do After A NJ Dog Bite

1. Get medical attention immediately. Dog bites cause serious infections (Pasteurella, MRSA, rabies risk if dog unvaccinated). Always seek care.
2. Report the bite to local police and the local health department. Required in NJ for rabies tracking. Creates an official record.
3. Get the dog owner’s info — name, address, insurance, dog’s vaccination records.
4. Identify the dog — photos, breed, license number if visible.
5. Photograph injuries — initial wounds, healing, scars over time.
6. Document witnesses.
7. Don’t sign anything from the owner or their insurance without legal counsel.
8. Call us — 908-692-7745 — 24/7.