Bergen County Dog Bite Lawyer

Were you or a family member bitten by a dog in Bergen County, NJ?

At Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C., we help injured clients understand their rights after a dog bite incident in Bergen County and the surrounding area.

If a dog attacked you or your child, you may be dealing with puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, scarring, or the emotional aftereffects of a traumatic event. New Jersey’s strict liability statute means the dog’s owner is responsible for your damages regardless of whether the animal had ever bitten anyone before. Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. has represented injury victims from our Montvale office since 1975. Our Bergen County, NJ dog bite lawyer can review your case at no cost and explain the compensation available to you.

Dog Bite Lawyer Bergen County, NJ

A dog bite attorney investigates the attack, identifies the owner and the applicable insurance policy, and pursues damages for the victim’s injuries. Roughly 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year according to CDC data, and nearly one in five requires medical attention. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are bitten at the highest rate. U.S. insurers paid $1.57 billion in dog-related injury claims in 2024, according to the Insurance Information Institute, with an average cost per claim of $69,272, a figure that has risen steadily as medical costs and settlement values increase.

Bergen County’s dense residential neighborhoods, public parks, and shared sidewalks mean encounters between dogs and pedestrians happen daily. When a dog causes serious harm, the law provides a clear path to recovery.

Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Bergen County

Dog attacks vary in severity and circumstance, and the legal approach differs depending on where the bite occurred, who was injured, and how the owner’s negligence contributed. Our Bergen County dog bite attorneys handle the following types of cases:

• Severe bite injuries. Deep puncture wounds, lacerations, and crush injuries that require emergency treatment, surgery, or hospitalization. We document the full scope of medical care and pursue compensation accordingly.
• Facial and head injuries. Bites to the face, ears, and scalp are especially common in children and often require reconstructive surgery. These cases involve both physical damages and the long-term psychological impact of visible scarring.
• Child dog bite attacks. Children are the most frequent victims of serious dog bites. We represent parents on behalf of their injured children and account for future medical treatment, therapy, and scarring when calculating damages.
• Infections and complications. Dog bites carry a high risk of bacterial infection, including pasteurella, MRSA, and, in rare cases, rabies. When a wound becomes infected due to the severity of the bite or delayed treatment, the resulting medical costs and lost time can be substantial.
• Attacks on delivery and service workers. Postal carriers, package delivery drivers, utility workers, and home repair contractors are bitten on the job regularly. These workers may have both a personal injury claim and a workers’ compensation claim.
• Attacks by unleashed or escaped dogs. When a dog escapes its yard or is off-leash in a public area, the owner’s failure to restrain the animal strengthens the liability case. We also investigate whether a landlord or property manager bears responsibility.
• Dog-on-dog attacks causing owner injury. When an aggressive dog attacks a leashed pet, and the owner is injured while trying to intervene, the attacking dog’s owner can be held liable for the person’s injuries.
• Emotional distress claims. A dog attack can produce lasting anxiety, fear of animals, and post-traumatic stress, particularly in children. We pursue damages for emotional harm alongside the physical injury claim.

Why Choose Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. as My Dog Bite Lawyer in Bergen County, NJ?

Trial-Ready Personal Injury Attorneys

Kate Carballo is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney designated by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, a credential held by a small fraction of licensed attorneys in the state. She has been selected to the Super Lawyers list from 2024 through 2026 and is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Bergen County Bar Association, and the New Jersey Association for Justice. She practices out of the firm’s Montvale office and advocates vigorously for clients who have suffered serious injuries through no fault of their own.

Barry S. Kantrowitz has practiced for more than 40 years, earned the AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and is a member of The National Trial Lawyers. He has served as lead counsel in significant personal injury verdicts throughout his career and oversees the firm’s non-matrimonial litigation practice. Our personal injury lawyer in Bergen County, NJ has that combination of courtroom credentials and decades of preparation.

Proven Results for Injured Clients

Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. has helped clients recover millions of dollars through verdicts and settlements in personal injury matters, including:

• $14 million jury verdict for three individuals harmed by a negligent professional in Bergen County
• $1,038,000 jury verdict for a man injured in a premises-related fall
• $926,000 jury verdict for a woman who fell on a broken curb in an apartment complex
• $300,000 settlement for a man who fell on a residential deck
• $97,500 settlement for a woman who slipped and fell on a slippery floor at a retail store

Understanding Dog Bite Cases

Strict Liability, Negligence, and Compensation

New Jersey is a strict liability state for dog bites. Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, the owner of a dog that bites a person is liable for damages if the victim was in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. You do not need to prove the dog had a history of aggression. You do not need to prove the owner was negligent. You only need to prove three things: the defendant owned the dog, the dog bit you, and you were lawfully present where the bite occurred.

Compensation in a Bergen County dog bite case can include:

• Medical expenses. Emergency room visits, surgery, wound care, antibiotics, rabies treatment, and any future procedures including reconstructive surgery
• Lost wages. Time missed from work during treatment and recovery, and reduced earning capacity if the injury is permanent
• Pain and suffering. Physical pain, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement. Permanent visible scarring, particularly on the face, hands, or arms, carries significant value in New Jersey courts
• Future medical care. Ongoing treatment for nerve damage, infection management, or psychological counseling

If the attack was caused by an unleashed dog in violation of a local leash ordinance, that violation may support additional arguments for damages.

What Are Important Aspects of a Dog Bite Case?

Several elements determine the strength of a dog bite claim. Addressing them quickly gives your attorney the best foundation to build the case:

• Medical treatment. Seek medical attention immediately, even if the wound appears minor. Dog bites carry infection risks that escalate within hours, and prompt treatment creates the medical record your claim requires.
• Identify the dog and its owner. Get the owner’s name, address, and contact information, along with the dog’s breed, color, and any license or tag information. If the owner is not present, ask witnesses or check for nearby surveillance cameras.
• Report the incident. File a report with Bergen County animal control. The agency will investigate, verify the dog’s vaccination status, and create an official record of the attack.
• The statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, as described in the NJ Courts FAQ. Do not let the deadline pass.
• Photograph everything. Take photos of the wound immediately after the attack and throughout the healing process. Document torn clothing, the location of the attack, and any visible lack of fencing or restraint.

What Is the Dog Bite Case Timeline?

Dog bite cases tend to move faster than car accident or construction injury claims because liability under New Jersey’s strict liability statute is often clear. The typical timeline includes:

• Medical treatment and documentation, including follow-up visits and any surgical procedures
• Investigation of the attack, including animal control records, witness statements, and the owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance information
• A demand to the owner’s insurance carrier once your medical condition stabilizes and permanent scarring can be assessed
• Settlement negotiations, which resolve most dog bite claims
• Filing suit and proceeding to trial if the insurer disputes liability, minimizes the injuries, or refuses to offer a fair amount

Many dog bite claims settle within six months to a year after the injury. Cases involving children, ongoing medical treatment, or disputed insurance coverage may take longer.

What Should You Bring to Your Dog Bite Consultation?

Bring whatever documentation you have. We will obtain the rest through investigation and insurance inquiries:

• Photographs of your injuries taken at different stages of healing
• The animal control report, if one has been filed
• Medical records and bills related to the bite
• The dog owner’s name and contact information, if known
• Your own homeowners’ or health insurance information

At the consultation, we will explain how New Jersey’s strict liability statute applies to your situation, identify the insurance policy that covers the claim, and give you a direct assessment of what your case may be worth.

Reach Out to Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a family member was bitten by a dog in Bergen County, Kantrowitz, Goldhamer, Graifman, Perlmutter & Carballo, P.C. can help. New Jersey law is on the side of bite victims, and our attorneys know how to hold owners and their insurers accountable. Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.