Most of the time, a dog deserves its well-known reputation as “man’s best friend.” But too often, owners tolerate or even encourage aggressive behavior from a pet, and then fail to take reasonable steps to protect people who innocently come in contact with the animal. An attack from a vicious dog can have horrific consequences, leaving you physically and mentally scarred. If you have been bitten, mauled or otherwise attacked by someone else’s dog, you want an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer to help you get full and fair compensation for all your losses. The Lee Law Firm, in Springfield, New Jersey, can help.

For more than 30 years, attorney Edward Lee has fought to protect the legal right of injured men and women in Springfield and across New Jersey, including people who have suffered needless injury in a dog attack. A highly respected trial lawyer, Ed has been certified as a civil trial attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court since 2005. The National Association of Distinguished Counsel has named him among the “Top One Percent” of attorneys and he’s also been listed as a New Jersey Super Lawyer. His clients have given him an Excellent rating with Avvo and he’s a Top Lawyer Lifetime Member of the Global Directory of Who’s Who.

There’s no charge or obligation for your first consultation.

In New Jersey, as in many states, the principle of “strict liability” applies when someone is bitten by a dog. In most personal injury claims, which are based on “negligence,” the injured person must show that the defendant (person from whom compensation is sought) acted unreasonably or failed to exercise ordinary care. Under the principle of strict liability, there’s no requirement that the injured party prove negligence. Typically, if the defendant meets the requirements set forth in the statute, he or she will be liable.

Under New Jersey’s strict liability statute, a dog’s owner will be responsible for any losses suffered if his or her dog bites someone who was either on public property or legally visiting private property at the time of the attack. There is no need to prove that the dog’s owner knew or should have known that the animal had exhibited aggressive behavior or tried to bite someone in the past.

Accordingly, if you have been bitten by someone else’s dog (even if the dog is on a leash), you’ll generally have a claim, with the following exceptions: