If you’re wondering whether hiring a dog bite attorney, Jersey City, NJ is worth the expense, there are several reasons to do so. Most of these attorneys are on contingency, which means that their fees are deducted from any settlement or court award you receive. In other words, if you lose your lawsuit, you owe nothing to your attorney. If you’ve been injured by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation if you’ve sustained physical or psychological damage. But if you’ve been severely injured or even killed by a dog, hiring a lawyer is not always necessary.
Getting a free consultation
If you’ve recently suffered a bite from a dog, it’s highly recommended that you consult with a lawyer immediately. Dog bite injuries can be devastating, and you may not realize the full value of your medical bills or other expenses until you begin the claims process. A lawyer can help you navigate the complex legal system and work to resolve your injury claim quickly and fairly. Despite the cost of a lawyer, you will probably face an uphill battle unless you hire an attorney to help you with your case.
Regardless of the cause of the attack, you should seek legal representation immediately. While the dog owner may try to settle the case on his or her own, you are better off hiring a lawyer to help you file your claim. The lawyer will help you file the appropriate paperwork, present your case to opposing counsel, and prepare you for deposition, mediation, or trial. If you are unable to settle the case on your own, a dog bite attorney will guide you through the process step by step until the situation is resolved.
Cost of hiring
Hiring a dog bite attorney may seem like an expensive undertaking, but this is often not the case. In fact, many dog-bite lawyers offer free initial consultations, so you won’t have to pay anything at the start. If you have suffered a serious injury from a dog attack, however, you should contact an attorney. In fact, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year, making this a hugely common problem.
While the initial consultation with a dog bite attorney is free, the attorney will typically take their fees out of the settlement or court award. The cost of hiring an attorney is minimal compared to the expenses you could incur from a dog attack. Furthermore, the attorney will get their fees only if you win the case or receive a settlement. Unlike hiring a lawyer for another purpose, you can always lose the case.
Damages that can be recovered
While it’s usually the dog owner who is at fault, there are other parties that can be held financially liable for the attack. For example, a dog attack could happen when an owner tries to get rid of the dog by evicting it. This situation can result in serious injuries and lingering mental trauma. The responsible party can be held financially liable for the injuries, which is why a New Jersey dog bite attorney is highly recommended.
If you are unable to return to your job after suffering a dog attack, you can seek compensation for future medical costs and lost wages. The cost of a dog bite lawsuit can be substantial, but it’s not impossible. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you can also seek compensation for lost wages and future earning capacity. In some cases, you can even seek punitive damages.
Limitations of liability
It’s important to understand the limits of a dog bite attorney’s liability and the types of cases he may be able to help you with. Dog bite victims need immediate medical attention in a hospital or emergency room and may require extensive treatment, including pain management and physical therapy. Some may experience permanent disability as a result of the attack and incur expensive medical expenses, which are not covered by health insurance. In order to win a dog bite case, a victim must prove that the dog owner was negligent and caused the injury. A jury verdict can be altered if there is not enough proof to hold the dog owner accountable.
In some states, a dog bite attorney’s liability may be limited by strict or negligent liability laws. Depending on the state, strict liability may apply when a dog owner fails to follow basic rules of behavior and causes injury. In such a case, the owner must have known that the dog had dangerous tendencies and had no intention of causing the injury. This can be established by the animal control officer’s testimony.
