What Steps Should I Take If I Am Bitten by a Dog?

What Should I Do Immediately After a Dog Bite?

Dog bites can happen in an instant, and the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Beyond the pain and shock, many people wonder what their next steps should be, how to protect their health, and whether they have legal options. In New Jersey, dog-bite law is straightforward in important ways, yet the process of proving what happened and accessing compensation still requires careful attention.

New Jersey has a strict liability rule for dog bites. This means that if a dog bites you in a public place or when you are lawfully on private property, the dog’s owner is responsible for your injuries — even if the dog has never shown aggression before. Understanding how this law works, and what to do after a bite, can make a major difference in your recovery and your claim.

The decisions you make in the minutes and hours after a dog bite are crucial for both your health and your ability to pursue a claim. Here’s what to do right away:

How Do I Ensure My Safety After Being Bitten?

Your safety comes first. Put distance between yourself and the animal to prevent further bites. If others are nearby, warn them as well.

How Should I Clean and Assess the Wound?

Dog mouths carry bacteria that can cause serious infections. Rinse the bite under running water for several minutes and wash it with soap. Apply a clean bandage and control any bleeding with light pressure.

Why Must I Seek Medical Care Even for Minor Bites?

Even seemingly minor bites can lead to complications like infection, nerve damage, or scarring. A medical professional can properly clean the wound, evaluate the risk of infection, administer a tetanus shot if needed, and create documentation of your injuries — an important piece of any future claim.

How Do I Identify the Dog and the Owner?

If possible, obtain the owner’s name, address, and proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination. If the dog is loose or the owner won’t cooperate, call animal control immediately.

What Should I Document at the Scene?

Take photos of the wound, the dog (if it’s safe to do so), the surrounding area, and any torn clothing. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact information. Early documentation is often critical in proving the conditions of the bite.

By taking these steps, you protect your health and preserve key evidence that will support your case.

How Do I Determine Responsibility and Gather Evidence?

While New Jersey’s strict liability law makes owners automatically responsible for dog bites, evidence still plays a major role in the strength of your claim. Here’s what matters most:

Why Are Medical Records Important?

Your medical treatment creates a clear timeline of your injuries, the severity of the bite, and the care required. These records demonstrate both the physical impact and the potential long-term consequences.

What Role Do Incident Reports Play?

Animal control and local health departments often create official records of reported dog bites. These documents help confirm the date, location, and nature of the incident.

How Do Eyewitness Statements Support My Case?

Neutral third-party accounts can support your version of events and help clarify issues such as whether the dog was leashed, fenced, restrained, or behaving aggressively.

What Physical Evidence Should I Preserve?

Images of the bite wound, the dog, the property, and any hazards can help establish what happened. Torn clothing or damaged personal belongings should be preserved.

Why Do I Need Dog Owner Information and Vaccination Records?

Proof of rabies vaccination and owner identity helps streamline the process and can determine whether additional medical treatment is required.

Collecting and preserving this material early can be essential for building a strong legal case. An experienced attorney can guide this process and ensure that no important details are overlooked.

What Do I Need to Know About Filing a Dog-Bite Claim in New Jersey?

Pursuing a claim after a dog bite involves several key steps. While New Jersey’s strict liability law strengthens a victim’s position, the process still requires organization and legal guidance.

Who Is the Responsible Party?

In most cases, the dog’s owner is the liable party. If the bite occurred on someone else’s property, homeowners or renters insurance may provide coverage.

What Is the Legal Deadline?

New Jersey generally requires personal injury claims — including dog-bite cases — to be filed within two years of the incident. Missing this deadline can bar you from recovering compensation.

How Do I Prove the Circumstances of the Bite?

While strict liability eliminates the need to prove negligence, you still must show that the bite occurred, that you were lawfully present, and that the dog caused your injuries.

What Damages Should I Document?

This includes medical bills, future treatment costs, lost income, scarring, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any long-term complications.

Why Should I Work With an Attorney?

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize dog-bite claims or shift blame. A lawyer ensures your rights are protected and helps secure full compensation.

Understanding these steps prepares you for what comes next and helps ensure your claim is properly handled from the start.

How Can The Epstein Law Firm Help You After a Dog Bite?

At The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., we have extensive experience representing victims of dog-bite injuries throughout New Jersey. Our team understands how traumatic these incidents can be and how quickly medical bills, lost time from work, and long-term complications can add up. Here’s how we assist clients in dog-bite cases:

What Is Comprehensive Case Evaluation?

We review the details of the incident, your injuries, your medical care, and the available evidence to determine the best path forward.

How Do We Collect Evidence and Investigate?

Our team gathers key materials, including medical records, incident reports, photographs, witness statements, and any available property or animal-control documentation.

How Do We Negotiate with Insurance Companies?

We communicate directly with insurance adjusters, pushing back on attempts to undervalue your injuries and advocating for the full compensation you deserve.

When Is Litigation and Court Representation Necessary?

If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and present it before a judge or jury.

What Support Can You Expect From Start to Finish?

We know that dog-bite cases can be stressful and emotionally draining. We keep you informed, answer questions, and guide you through every stage of the legal process with clarity and compassion.

With The Epstein Law Firm by your side, you can focus on healing while our team handles the legal complexities.