Our Camden County Attorneys Will Hold Pet Owners Accountable For Dog Bites
Last updated on May 11, 2026
Dog bite injuries can be very traumatic. Many people think they can’t bring a lawsuit unless the dog has bitten someone before or has a history of vicious behavior. This is absolutely not the case in the state of New Jersey. Dog owners do not get “one free bite.”
In New Jersey, a dog owner is strictly liable if their dog attacks someone. They are liable the first time and every time their dog harms a person. If you or a loved one has been injured from a domesticated animal attack such as a dog bite, speak to a skilled Camden County dog bite attorney as soon as possible. At Fishman & Fishman, LLC, we are here to listen to your story and pursue your case to the best of our ability, drawing on our many years of experience in helping our clients seek compensation for their accident-related injuries.
The Harm From A Dog Bite Can Be Serious And Lasting
Our skilled Camden County dog bite lawyers have represented countless dog bite victims in South Jersey. Whether you were bitten by a dog in a public place, on private property or on your own property, the dog owner is responsible for any injuries you sustained.
Our attorneys can help you pursue compensation for medical bills and lost wages from bite wounds, claw wounds and injuries suffered from fleeing from a vicious dog. We have also recovered monetary damages for the ongoing impact of a dog attack, including:
- Permanent nerve damage
- Disfigurement and reconstructive surgery
- Psychological harm such as anxiety attacks or fear of dogs
We know you may not want to “sue” a neighbor or friend if you or a family member has been bitten by a dog. However, it is important to know that the dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance policy will usually cover the costs associated with a dog bite claim.
What Is New Jersey’s Dog Bite Law?
New Jersey has one of the strongest dog bite statutes in the country. The law is commonly referred to as the New Jersey Dog Bite Statute, codified at N.J.S.A. 4:19-16. This statute establishes a strict liability standard that significantly favors injured victims rather than dog owners.
Under this law, a dog owner is legally responsible for injuries caused by their dog if the bite occurs in a public place or while the injured person is lawfully on private property. Lawful presence includes situations such as visiting a home with permission, delivering mail or performing work duties. Importantly, the injured person does not need to prove that the dog was previously aggressive.
The law focuses on the act of biting and the location of the incident rather than the dog’s history or the owner’s conduct. Key aspects of New Jersey’s dog bite law include the following:
- Strict liability standard: The owner is responsible for injuries regardless of the prior behavior or training history of the dog.
- No “one bite” exception: Liability applies even if the dog has never shown aggression before the incident.
- Lawful presence requirement: The injured person must be legally allowed to be where the bite occurred.
- Applies to all breeds: The statute does not single out or exclude any specific dog breeds.
This framework removes many common defenses that dog owners attempt to raise. Arguments that the dog was friendly in the past or that the owner acted carefully generally do not defeat a claim under this statute. Instead, the focus remains on whether a bite occurred and whether the victim had a legal right to be present.
The statute also allows injured victims to seek compensation for a wide range of damages. These may include medical treatment, lost income, scarring, nerve damage and psychological harm such as anxiety or long-term fear of animals. In cases involving children, the emotional impact can be especially significant and long-lasting.
Because New Jersey’s dog bite law is highly specific and strictly enforced, applying it correctly requires careful legal analysis.
Children Scarred By A Dog Bite Have A Grace Period To Pursue CompensationChildren are the most common victims of dog bites and, because the injuries can be very physically and emotionally scarring, those children have an extended period to bring a case. A person bitten by a dog as a child has two years from his or her 18th birthday to bring a claim for the injuries. If you (or your son or daughter) have lived an entire childhood scarred from a dog attack, it is time to pursue compensation for the trauma, emotional damage and physical scars. |
Reach Out To Our Dedicated Dog Bite Attorneys Today
If you or your loved one was bitten by a dog in Camden County or South Jersey, we can help you seek timely compensation for your medical expenses and lost income. To schedule a free initial consultation with our firm, call our office today at 888-339-7675 or send us an email online.