Friendly hearings allow children to benefit from a court’s review of their injury settlement. The goal of the hearing is to decide whether the compensation and its structure are in the child’s best interests. Governed by New Jersey Court Rule 4:44, a friendly hearing takes place without a jury and is not an adversarial hearing. The legal process helps provide children and their families with the ideal legal setting to review a settlement without the additional burden or stress of a prolonged court battle. Why Does a Court Have to Determine What’s In My Child’s Best Interests? Unfortunatel ..read more

The Daily Mail reported that Labrador Retrievers are “the worst dogs for biting” and that they cause more personal injury claims than any other dog. How can one of the world’s favorite dogs be so aggressive? Is this claim accurate? The Economic Times further reports that preferred dog breeds are no less likely to bite than banned breeds. In this article, we’ll explore whether these statements are true or not and why. America’s Best Friend The Labrador Retriever, or Lab for short, has been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 1917. In 2022, roughly 100,000 people registered pureb ..read more

With certain dog breeds, everyone is generally in agreement on whether the breed is dangerous or not. Beagles—not dangerous. Rottweilers—dangerous. Collies—not dangerous. Pitbulls—dangerous. However, if you google “least aggressive dog breeds,” the American Bulldog shows up in the results. On the other hand, reports indicate that the American Bulldog is the fourth most dangerous dog breed. Which is it? Regardless of the inherent risks of the breed, if you are injured by an American Bulldog, consult a New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer immediately about your options. American Bulldog Basics The Americ ..read more

A dog attack can inflict fear, a scar, or disfigurement. As such, many people are always ready to defend themselves or a loved one from a canine attack. Although self-defense is legal, most people wonder about their limits if they hurt a dog before or during the attack. In a split-second decision, you could draw a knife or a gun to prevent a potential savage attack from a dog. However, is it legal? It is also essential to know the circumstances in which you can wound a dog without being answerable to the authorities. If you’ve injured or shot a dog in self-defense, consider speaking to a trust ..read more

Although dogs are man’s best friend, they pose a serious health risk to the communities. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 4.5 million people suffer dog bites each year, with at least 800,000 people receiving medical attention. A section of people who suffer dog bites endure severe injuries and complications, which include bacterial infections. In other instances, a dog bite can be a small cut or bruise. Nonetheless, a minor or severe dog bite could prove dangerous. Unfortunately, victims of dog bites endure mounting medical bills, pain and suffering, disfigure ..read more

A considerable number of American households own pitbull dogs. For most, they’re ideal companions: playful, moderately active, and willing to please. It is also fun, an obedient dog, and loves games that are challenging and physical. Unfortunately, authorities euthanize one million pit bulls each year. Pit bulls also account for 40% of those dogs that undergo euthanization in shelters. Research also shows that pit bulls were responsible for 22.5% of all dog bite attacks. Victims of pitbull dog attacks suffer facial injuries, broken bones, lacerations, cuts, emotional stress, and infections. If ..read more

One thousand Americans go to the ER due to dog bite injuries every single day. More than half of those victims are children aged 5-9, according to the statistics. One-quarter of dog bites are caused by pit bulls, who have been blacklisted from protection by homeowners insurance. One in five dog bites will become infected and/or require an overnight stay in the hospital. Too often, dog bites are not reported or not taken seriously, and accountability for them is dismissed in order to keep peace with a neighbor or friend or for fear that the dog will be euthanized. Because of all this, how to pr ..read more

In the 2011 HBO documentary One Nation Under Dog, a Haddonfield Rhodesian Ridgeback named Duke was euthanized on camera. The dog had bit off a girl’s ear in 2009 and then attacked a teenager in 2011. In New Jersey, a vicious dog with a pattern of aggressive behavior can indeed be euthanized. Dog bites are a serious public health hazard, and appropriate measures must be taken when a dog has demonstrated that it acts aggressively. To allow the dog to continue attacking is simply irresponsible. Euthanasia is actually the most common way that both house cats and dogs die. It is generally considere ..read more

In Paterson, New Jersey, in March of 2014, a 115-pound bull mastiff who was loose in the street attacked two 13-year-old boys, killing one and wounding the other. The dog then turned on its owner, who was forced to stab the dog in self-defense. Ultimately, the dog was euthanized by authorities. The body of the boy who had died could not be located for two hours—his family had reported him missing before his remains were found. Dogs biting their owners is probably more common than you might think. In fact, the family a dog lives with is actually most likely to get bit if the dog is going to bit ..read more

There’s no doubt that the Dogue de Bordeaux (also known as the Bordeaux Mastiff or French Mastiff) has an intimidating appearance that is characteristic of many more aggressive dog breeds. However, despite its big jowls, long canine teeth, gruff face, and muscular chest, this breed is not well-known for being aggressive. That’s not to say they don’t attack, because they do, but, for the most part, they are calm, alert dogs. This is a case in which you should not necessarily judge a book by its cover. About the Dogue de Bordeaux Breed This large French mastiff breed has survived extinction twi ..read more