4-Year-Old Attacked by a Pit Bull in New Jersey

Kind dogs may be man’s best friends, but aggressive dogs can cause severe physical and psychological injuries when they attack. Sadly, that is exactly what happened recently when a pit bull attacked a 4-year-old girl and her mother in New Jersey.

According to news reports, Khaleen Brown Anderson and her daughter, Abbey, had just returned to their home in Teaneck when Anderson saw a pit bull running up the street toward them. Anderson said the dog attacked her and her daughter, even jumping into the car at one point.

The attack ended when a plumber working nearby heard the attack and scared the dog away. Police impounded the dog and served its owner with two summonses. Records show the dog had previously attacked a mailman in 2017. A judge will decide what happens to the dog now.

The psychological effects have already impacted Abbey. Brown Anderson reports the 4-year-old is traumatized and cries in her sleep.

What Should I Do After a Dog Attack?

If you get hurt in a dog attack, take the following key steps:

• Call the Police – It is necessary to document the attack but more importantly the police will investigate the true owner of the animal.
• Seek medical attention immediately – Dogs can cause severe injuries when they attack, including puncture wounds, soft-tissue injuries, broken bones, and nerve damage. Seek medical care and make sure you get a rabies vaccine.
• Identify the dog and contact its owner – Take pictures of the dog for reference if you can. If you contact the dog’s owner, keep the conversation brief and do not speculate about what caused the dog to attack. Ask the owner for their insurance information, contact details, and the dog’s vet medical records.
• Document your injuries – Take pictures of any visible injuries you sustained and store the pictures in a secure location. You should also save your medical records for future reference and start a journal to document how the attack affects you mentally and emotionally.
• Do not make any social media posts about the attack – A stray comment or photo could hurt your chances of recovering compensation for your injuries. Stay away from social media until your case settles.
• Do not speak to any insurance companies – The dog owner’s homeowners insurance company may call you and pressure you to accept a quick settlement. However, their offer likely won’t cover the full extent of your injuries. Let your lawyer handle all communication with the insurance companies.
• Hire a dog bite lawyer – Securing compensation for a dog bite claim can be difficult, and you want to recover as much as possible. A dog bite attorney can help you protect your rights and demand the money you need. Special discounted fee rates apply to children bit by a dog.

What Are the Physical and Psychological Consequences of Dog Attacks?

The physical consequences of a dog attack are often serious and can include:

• Severe injuries, including broken bones, facial injuries, infections, and internal bleeding
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Long-term pain from your injuries
• Rabies and prophylactic treatment for rabies
• Tetanus

The psychological consequences of a dog attack are often as severe, especially when a child is bit by a dog, as the physical effects and may include:

• Nightmares and insomnia
• Flashbacks to the attack
• Heightened anxiety, especially around dogs
• Depression and other emotional distress
• Psychological distress from pain, scarring, and disfigurement

What Compensation Can I Get After a Dog Attack?

With help from the right attorney, your compensation after a dog attack in New Jersey could include money for:

• Medical bills
• Future plastic surgery bills and revision surgery
• Incidental expenses
• Lost wages
• Lower future earnings
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

What is the New Jersey Law Governing Dog Bites?

The owner of any dog which shall bite a person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.

If the injury occurs when entering the private property where the dog is kept, the law states that a person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner when on the property in the performance of any duty imposed by the laws of this state or the laws, such as a cable installer, worker, or postal worker, such as a mail carrier of the United States, or when a person or child is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner thereof. 

Contact Our New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers for Help

The team at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. understands how traumatic dog attacks can be. We’re here to help you recover fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to learn more about your rights in a free consultation with a New Jersey dog attack attorney.