For good reason dogs are considered humans’ best friends. They provide unconditional love, companionship, protection and in some cases assistance with the essential tasks of daily living. Yet when dogs attack, they can cause devastating damage. To prevent injuries, owners are obligated to take legal steps to constrain and control their dogs. Even greater restrictions are placed on exotic pet owners.
Founded in 1950, the attorneys at Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC focus almost exclusively on personal injury law. If you have been injured by somebody else’s pet, we demand that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We proudly serve clients throughout New Jersey at our Elmwood Park, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Roseland offices.
New Jersey statutes hold the owner of a dog liable for damages if the dog bites you while you are in a public place or lawfully in a private place — including on the dog owner’s property. The owner may still be held accountable even if the dog did not exhibit vicious behavior and the owner was unaware of the dog’s propensity for aggressiveness. In many cases, our lawyers are able to obtain coverage through the homeowner’s insurance policy. Otherwise we sue the negligent homeowner directly to recover compensation for your injuries.
To possess an exotic animal requires a permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife. These permitting requirements are intended to protect the public and the environment from potentially dangerous species — such as certain types of primates, felines, canines, crocodilia and reptiles. Because these animals belong in the wild, their unpredictability and aggressiveness while in captivity pose a serious risk to individuals with whom they come into contact. Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC holds exotic pet owners accountable for damages resulting from animal attacks.
The injuries sustained in a dog or exotic animal attack are often catastrophic and sometimes deadly. Our team of accomplished attorneys pursues your rightful compensation for severe injuries — including head trauma, broken bones, lacerations and internal organ damage. In addition, we advocate for your right to recover for psychological injuries — such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and phobias. We also seek recovery for permanent disabilities and disfigurement caused by the attack.
Animal attacks are more common than you might assume. For more information about recovering damages from the owner of a pet who injured you, call Gelman Gelman Wiskow & McCarthy LLC at 862-263-0770 or contact us online to schedule your one-hour free initial consultation. For your convenience, we have offices in Elmwood Park, Bridgewater, Hackensack, Morristown, and Roseland, with Spanish-speaking translators available by request.