A dog bite can result in emergency treatment, surgery, infection care, physical therapy, and treatment for permanent scarring. Victims often receive medical bills before responsibility has been formally established or an insurance claim has been resolved.
In New Jersey, several payment sources may be involved. Who ultimately pays depends on the circumstances of the attack, the available insurance coverage, and whether another party is legally responsible.
Your Health Insurance May Pay First
A victim should not delay necessary treatment while waiting for the dog owner’s insurance company to accept the claim. Health insurance may initially cover emergency care, physician visits, medication, surgery, and follow-up treatment, subject to the policy’s deductibles, copayments, and coverage limits.
The victim should keep every bill, receipt, explanation of benefits, and insurance statement. These records help document the financial impact of the attack.
A health insurer may later seek reimbursement from a settlement or judgment. Any reimbursement claim or lien should be reviewed before the case is resolved so the victim understands how it may affect the final recovery.
The Dog Owner May Be Legally Responsible
New Jersey follows a strict-liability rule for dog bites. A dog owner may be responsible for damages when the dog bites someone in a public place or while the person is lawfully on private property.
The victim generally does not have to prove that the dog previously attacked someone or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. However, the victim must still establish ownership of the dog, that a bite occurred, and that the victim was lawfully present.
Recoverable damages may include reasonable medical expenses resulting from the bite, including emergency care, reconstructive procedures, scar treatment, psychological counseling, and reasonably probable future medical care.
Homeowners or Renters Insurance
Although the dog owner is legally responsible, payment often comes from an applicable homeowners or renters insurance policy rather than directly from the owner.
Liability coverage may pay for the victim’s medical expenses and other damages, subject to the policy’s terms and limits. Some policies exclude particular dogs, prior incidents, business-related animals, or certain types of claims. The insurer may also dispute whether the policy was active or whether the owner complied with its conditions.
An early investigation can help identify the insurer and preserve available coverage information.
Medical Payments Coverage
Some homeowners or renters policies include medical payments coverage. This coverage may pay limited medical expenses for an injured visitor without requiring a final determination of fault.
Medical payments coverage is usually limited and may not compensate the victim for lost income, pain and suffering, scarring, or other losses. Using it does not necessarily resolve the entire injury claim.
Can Other Parties Be Responsible?
The dog owner may not be the only potentially liable party. Depending on the facts, responsibility may also involve a landlord, property owner, animal keeper, business, or another person who controlled the dog.
A separate negligence claim may be possible when someone other than the legal owner knew or should have known that the animal presented a danger and failed to take reasonable precautions.
What Medical Costs Can Be Claimed?
A dog bite claim may include compensation for:
- Ambulance and emergency room treatment
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Rabies treatment and antibiotics
- Plastic or reconstructive surgery
- Scar revision and dermatological care
- Physical therapy
- Psychological counseling
- Future treatment supported by medical evidence
The victim should also document transportation costs, missed work, photographs of the injuries, and the effect of scarring or limitations on daily life.
Speak With a New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer
Medical bills can become complicated when health insurance, liability insurance, reimbursement claims, and multiple responsible parties are involved. Accepting an early settlement before the full extent of the injury is known may leave the victim responsible for future expenses.
A New Jersey dog bite lawyer can identify available insurance coverage, document past and future medical costs, address reimbursement claims, and pursue compensation from the responsible parties. Prompt action can also help preserve photographs, witness information, animal-control records, and insurance evidence.