Union County Dog Bite Lawyer

• The defendant owned the dog that bit you.
• The bite occurred in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property.
• There is a causal link between the bite and the injuries you sustained.

If those three elements are met, the owner can be held liable even if the dog had never shown aggression before.

Exceptions, Defenses, & the Statute of Limitations

Strict liability strongly favors bite victims, but it isn’t absolute. If you were trespassing at the time of the bite or intentionally provoked the dog, the owner may not be held liable, though the provocation defense requires intentional conduct. Minor accidental contact typically doesn’t qualify. Professionals who work with dogs, such as veterinarians or groomers, may face an assumed-risk argument, though that defense doesn’t apply automatically either.

New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. Victims found more than 50% at fault can’t recover. Those found 50% or less at fault may still recover, with damages reduced proportionally. The statute of limitations for a dog bite lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the incident under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. For minor victims, the clock typically doesn’t start until their 18th birthday, giving them until age 20 to file.

Why Legal Representation Makes a Difference in Union County Dog Bite Cases

A favorable law doesn’t automatically translate into a fair settlement. In most New Jersey dog bite cases, compensation flows through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, and insurance adjusters are trained to minimize what they pay. Victims who handle claims on their own often receive less than their case may be worth.

Attorney Michael Chelland has worked inside the insurance industry. He knows how claims adjusters build defenses and structure lowball offers, and he applies that knowledge directly to his clients’ cases. Every piece of evidence, including medical records, injury photographs, witness statements, and claim documentation, is gathered and presented to support a strong claim for compensation. We handle all of the legal details so clients can focus on healing rather than fielding calls from insurers.

Compensation Available in a Union County Dog Bite Claim

Economic damages cover verifiable losses tied to the incident: emergency room visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing therapy, and lost income if your injuries kept you from working. If a bite causes long-term limitations, diminished future earning capacity may also factor into the calculation.

Non-economic damages address the intangible toll: pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Scarring or permanent disfigurement can affect a victim’s self-esteem and mental health in ways that extend far beyond the physical injury, and courts recognize those impacts as compensable. New Jersey doesn’t cap damages in dog bite cases. What’s recoverable depends on the severity of the injury, the scope of treatment, and the long-term effect on the victim’s life.

Thorough documentation makes a measurable difference. Medical records, injury photographs, witness statements, and personal journal entries about recovery all strengthen a personal injury claim. Attorney Michael Chelland works with care and precision to identify available avenues of compensation for each client.