A 30-year-old Lakewood woman was attacked by a pit bull at her father’s home in Jackson. She sustained 17 bites and lacerations, leaving her with approximately 300 stitches. She sued her father and his female friend, and the Middlesex County jury ordered that the defendants pay the victim $1.5 million for her injuries.
The New Jersey News reported that a woman who lives in the house of the victim’s father owned the dog. He invited his daughter to visit his home on Grawtown Road. When his daughter arrived, the house was dark inside and the pit bull attacked the daughter. The victim’s father was watching the dog at the time of the attack because his friend was at work.
According to the victim’s attorney, his client actually feared that the pit bull was going to kill her during the attack. He added that his client was a young woman who unfortunately has to live with the scarring for the rest of her life.
In New Jersey civil suits, plaintiffs are not permitted to ask for a specific amount. Instead, it is up to the jury to decide on the amount to be awarded to the plaintiffs. The plaintiff’s attorney in this dog mauling case did not specifically ask for $1.5 million, as it was the jury who decided to award this amount.
The pit bull was euthanized after attacking the woman.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff’s attorney claimed that the victim’s father and his friend failed to properly restrain the dog, which allegedly had a history of aggressive behavior. Since the pit bull had certain propensities, the father should have protected his daughter by taking more precaution.
Although Jackson is located in Ocean County, the dog mauling case was tried in Middlesex County since the victim was previously a resident of South Plainfield. The victim and her father reached an agreement, and the father paid his daughter $300,000 covered by his insurance.
If you or your loved one has been attacked or bitten by a dog, it’s important to seek the legal representation of an experienced New Jersey dog attack lawyer. Scott Grossman has successfully represented many injured clients in central and northern New Jersey on a contingency basis for over 10 years. Contact The Grossman Law Firm today at (732) 625-9494.