If a dog knocked you down or bit you in Bergen County, the injuries can be more serious than they first look, from deep puncture wounds to nerve damage that outlasts the initial scare. New Jersey law does not require you to prove the dog had bitten anyone before, which means the path to compensation can move faster than victims expect once the right evidence is in place.
Jae Lee Law has represented premises liability clients across Bergen County for over 30 years, and attorney Jae E. Lee holds a New Jersey Supreme Court trial attorney certification held by only about 3% of the state’s lawyers. Our Bergen County dog bite lawyers build every case around the medical records, incident reports, and animal control findings that insurance adjusters cannot easily dispute.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — New Jersey Law Limits Your Window to File
Bitten by a dog in Bergen County? New Jersey’s 2-year statute of limitations begins from the date of the bite. Missing this deadline ends your right to compensation.
Over 30 years of combined legal experience. NJ Supreme Court certified trial attorney. No fees unless we recover compensation for you.
New Jersey’s Dog Bite Law Favors the Victim, Not the Owner
Many states follow a “one bite rule,” where an owner escapes liability if their dog never bit anyone before. New Jersey rejected that approach. Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, a dog owner is strictly liable for a bite that happens while the victim is in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog ever showed aggression before. The New Jersey Supreme Court confirmed that this strict standard applies even to a dog’s first bite, holding that owners of a dog with no prior history of aggression are still absolutely liable once the statutory elements are met, in DeRobertis v. Randazzo, 94 N.J. 144 (1983).
This standard removes one of the hardest burdens victims normally carry in a personal injury claim. A bite victim does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the owner acted carelessly. The claim rests on three simple facts: the defendant owned the dog, the dog bit the victim, and the victim was lawfully present. Owners can still raise defenses such as trespassing or provocation, which is why documenting exactly where and how the attack happened matters from the first day.
Three Facts That Establish a Dog Bite Claim
New Jersey’s strict liability rule narrows most dog bite cases down to three elements, with no inquiry into the dog’s temperament or the owner’s carefulness required.
01. Ownership
The defendant owned, kept, or harbored the dog that caused the bite.
02. The Bite
The dog bit the victim, regardless of whether it had ever bitten anyone before.
03. Lawful Presence
The victim was in a public place or lawfully on the property where the bite happened.
Statute of Limitations for Bergen County Dog Bite Cases
New Jersey gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2. If the dog attack resulted in a death, surviving family members have two years from the date of death to bring a wrongful death claim.
Claims involving a municipal or government-owned dog, such as a police K-9, follow a much shorter timeline under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, N.J.S.A. 59:8-8, and can require formal notice within 90 days. Waiting to speak with an attorney risks losing evidence and, in the worst cases, the right to recover anything at all.
Two Deadlines That Can Apply to the Same Bite
Depending on who owns the dog, more than one filing clock can be running on a single case, and missing either one can end a claim before it starts.
| Type of Claim | Deadline | Governing Law |
|---|---|---|
| Standard dog bite claim | 2 years from the bite | N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2 |
| Government-owned or K-9 dog | 90-day notice of claim | N.J.S.A. 59:8-8 |
Types of Dog Bite Injuries We Handle
Dog attacks can cause more than a single wound, and the full extent of an injury is not always obvious right away. Our Bergen County dog bite lawyers regularly handle cases involving:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations: Deep bites that require stitches, drains, or reconstructive surgery.
- Nerve and tendon damage: Bites to the hands, arms, or legs that affect grip strength or mobility long after the wound closes.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Facial and visible-area injuries that carry both physical and emotional costs.
- Infections: Dog bites carry a high risk of bacterial infection, sometimes requiring hospitalization.
- Psychological trauma: Anxiety, sleep disruption, or a lasting fear of dogs following a serious attack.
Any of these injuries can support a claim for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering, and the slip and fall accidents our firm handles often overlap with dog bite cases when a victim is also knocked to the ground during an attack.
How Jae Lee Law Builds Your Case
We move quickly once you contact us, because evidence in a dog bite case degrades fast. Our attorneys pull the animal control report, request the dog’s vaccination and bite history from the municipality, and photograph the scene, the enclosure, and your injuries before memories fade.
We also investigate whether a defective product played a role in the incident. A broken leash clasp, a failed gate latch, or a faulty containment system can shift part of the liability onto a manufacturer, which is why we consider every angle rather than assuming the dog’s owner is the only responsible party. Where a landlord knew about a dangerous dog on the property and failed to act, we pursue that claim as well under ordinary negligence principles, consistent with Linebaugh v. Hyndman, 213 N.J. Super. 117 (App. Div. 1986), aff’d, 106 N.J. 556 (1987), which held a landlord liable for failing to address a tenant’s dog after learning of its dangerous propensities.
What We Investigate After a Dog Attack
Building a strong claim means gathering evidence from every available source before it disappears.
Animal Control Report
The official record of the attack, pulled directly from animal control.
Vaccination and Bite History
Municipal records showing the dog’s vaccination status and any prior incidents.
Scene and Injury Photos
Documentation of the attack scene, the dog’s enclosure, and your injuries.
Product Liability Review
A check for defective leashes, gate latches, or containment systems.
Landlord Negligence Review
A look at whether a landlord knew about a dangerous dog and failed to act.
Does Insurance Cover Dog Bite Claims?
Most dog bite claims in Bergen County are paid through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, since a bite is typically covered as a personal liability claim rather than under any separate pet-specific coverage. Standard homeowner’s and renter’s policies commonly carry liability limits between $100,000 and $300,000, though some insurers exclude certain breeds or require a specific rider, and coverage disputes over breed exclusions are common.
An owner who has no insurance, or whose policy excludes dog liability, can still be pursued personally for the same compensation. Where a landlord shares responsibility for a dangerous dog kept in a shared area, the landlord’s own liability coverage may apply as well. Because insurers frequently dispute coverage or undervalue these claims, having an attorney review every applicable policy from the outset helps protect the full value of your case.
Typical Homeowner’s and Renter’s Coverage Limits
Most policies fall within a predictable range, which is one reason a full policy review matters before any settlement talks begin.
$100,000 – $300,000
Typical liability limits on standard Bergen County homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies covering a dog bite claim.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Bergen County
The steps you take in the hours after an attack can shape your entire claim. Seek medical care immediately, even if the wound looks minor, since infection risk is high and a doctor’s records become key evidence. Report the bite to animal control or local police so an official record exists, and get the owner’s name, address, and insurance information along with contact details for any witnesses.
Photograph your injuries as they heal and keep a written log of missed work, pain levels, and any lasting limitations. Avoid signing anything from the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with a Bergen County premises liability attorney, since early settlement offers often fall well short of what a claim is actually worth.
Four Steps in the First 24 Hours
Acting quickly in the hours right after an attack protects both your health and your claim.
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Get treated even if the wound looks minor, since infection risk is high and a doctor’s records become key evidence.
Report the Bite
Notify animal control or local police so an official record exists.
Collect Owner and Witness Information
Get the owner’s name, address, and insurance information along with contact details for any witnesses.
Document as You Heal
Photograph your injuries over time and keep a written log of missed work, pain levels, and lasting limitations.
Dog Bite Claims Across Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties
While this page focuses on Bergen County, Jae Lee Law represents dog bite and animal attack victims throughout Hudson and Passaic Counties as well, under the same New Jersey strict liability standard described above. Visit our Hudson County page or our Passaic County page for details specific to those counties.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites in Bergen County
Why Bergen County Families Choose Jae Lee Law
Jae E. Lee has spent over 30 years securing millions of dollars in recoveries for injured clients across New Jersey and is one of only a small percentage of the state’s attorneys to hold a Supreme Court trial certification. Our team speaks English, Korean, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian, and we meet clients wherever is most convenient, including their home or hospital room, so recovering from a dog attack does not have to compete with the demands of a legal case.
We take every dog bite case on a contingency fee basis, and if an insurance company will not offer fair value for your injuries, we are prepared to take your case to trial. Contact Jae Lee Law today through our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a Bergen County dog bite lawyer.
