The New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer David Cowhey is the Hackensack attorney with the most six-figure dog bite settlements. He’s assisted countless people in New Jersey to get compensation for the harm they suffered.

You don’t have to worry about presenting your case to the insurance company or dog owner; leave that to our attorneys, who have vast knowledge of the law.

If you were bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your hospital bills, unpaid wages, and pain and suffering you suffered. David Cowhey knows the Hackensack insurance firms and works with the dog owner’s insurance company to ensure that your damages are covered by your injury claim.

The following resources can help you navigate your Hackensack dog bite claim:

Reporting the Bite

In New Jersey, animal bites must be reported to local health authorities to track potential rabies exposure.

• Hackensack Health Department (Primary Contact)

  • Purpose: Report the bite for sanitary and rabies control tracking. They will initiate the 10-day quarantine observation of the animal.

  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

  • Phone: (201) 646-3965

  • Fax (for forms): (201) 646-3989

  • Address: 215 State St, Hackensack, NJ 07601.

• Hackensack Police Department

  • Purpose: Call immediately if the attack is ongoing, the animal is dangerous/loose, or if the bite occurs after business hours or on weekends.

  • Emergency: 911

  • Non-Emergency Dispatch: (201) 646-7777

• Bergen County Animal Control

  • Purpose: Hackensack contracts with the county for animal control services. They handle stray dogs, transport of potentially rabid animals, and enforcement.

  • Phone: (201) 229-4616 (24/7 Service)

Medical Resources

Always seek immediate medical attention, even for minor punctures, due to the high risk of infection.

• Emergency Room (Severe Injuries)

  • Facility: Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC)

  • Address: 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601

  • Phone: (551) 996-2000

  • Note: Go here for deep wounds, facial injuries, uncontrolled bleeding, or if you suspect broken bones.

• Urgent Care (Minor Wounds)

  • Facility: Hackensack Meridian Health Urgent Care

  • Address: Available at multiple nearby locations (check for nearest open center).

  • Facility: CityMD Hackensack

  • Address: 500 Route 17 South, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604 (Nearby option)

  • Phone: (551) 497-5657

New Jersey law, specifically N.J.S.A. 4:19-16, holds dog owners strictly liable for bites that occur in public or when the victim is lawfully on private property.

You generally do not need to prove the owner was negligent or had prior knowledge of the dog’s viciousness, unlike in states that follow a “one-bite rule”. Understanding how this statute impacts your ability to recover damages without having to establish fault is crucial from the outset.

Even under strict liability, there are exceptions. A lawyer should explain if the owner could argue you were trespassing at the time of the incident or that you provoked the dog into attacking, both of which can be used as defenses in New Jersey. New Jersey uses a comparative negligence system, meaning if you are found partially responsible, your compensation could be reduced.

While the standard statute of limitations for a dog bite lawsuit in New Jersey is two years from the date of the injury, this timeframe is different for minors. The time typically does not begin until the child turns 18, giving them until their 20th birthday to file a claim.

Facial injuries often result in distinct damages that can significantly increase the value of a claim. In New Jersey, you can seek compensation for medical expenses related to plastic surgery to minimize scarring and restore function.

Depending on the evidence and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate fairly the process could take weeks or several months. The negotiation often begins with a demand letter to the insurance company, followed by a period of negotiation. Many personal injury cases are resolved through pre-trial settlements to avoid the time and cost of going to court. A lawyer should be able to give you a general timeline based on similar cases and explain their strategy for deciding when litigation is necessary to secure a fair outcome.

While the laws are state-wide, local court procedures can vary. This impacts elements such as paperwork filing deadlines and bite reporting structures. It is beneficial to work with an attorney who has experience handling dog bite claims within the Bergen County legal system and understands local filing procedures.