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Recent New Jersey Dog Bite Case Settles for $235,000

Published by New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer, Jeffrey Hark.

New Jersey, Camden County

ANIMALS

Dog Bite — Premises Liability — Animals — Animal Control

Dog bite caused boy’s facial lacerations, suit alleged

Settlement         $235,000

Case Elijah Trader, a minor child, by his mother and guardian ad litem, Angela Medina v. Arif Smith, No. CAM-L-1818-15

Court    Camden County Superior Court

Judge   Anthony M. Pugliese

Date      11/2/2015

 

Plaintiff

Attorney(s)

Jeffrey S. Hark, Hark & Hark, P.C., Cherry Hill, NJ

 

Defense

Attorney(s)

John R. Dalvet, Venema Proko & Keahey, Philadelphia, PA

 

Facts & Allegations

On April 26, 2015, plaintiff Elijah Trader, a minor, was on the premises of Arif Smith when Smith’s dog, which was running loose, attacked Trader by jumping at his face, causing lacerations. The attack was unprovoked.

Elijah’s mother sued Smith on his behalf.

New Jersey’s strict liability dog-bite statute applied to the case.

Injuries/Damages

bite mark; face; scar and/or disfigurement, face; sutures; psychiatric

Elijah was taken to a nearby hospital emergency room, where he was treated. He received numerous sutures to close facial wounds that will leave him with permanent scars.

A plastic surgeon has recommended debridement and future plastic surgery to mitigate the scarring.

Elijah was traumatized and has undergone some psychological counseling and he claimed a psychological overlay.

Result

The case settled for $235,000 on Nov. 2, 2015, and was approved at a hearing before Superior Court Judge Anthony M. Pugliese on Dec. 17, 2015.

Plaintiff(s)

Angela Medina

Elijah Trader

Demand None reported

Offer None reported

Insurer(s)

None reported

Plaintiff Expert(s)

Joy B. Cohen, Psy. D., psychology/counseling, Cherry Hill, NJ (Jeffrey S. Hark)

Defense Expert(s)

None reported

Post-Trial

None reported

Editor’s Note

This report is based on information that was provided by plaintiffs’ counsel. Defense counsel declined to contribute.

Plaintiff(s) Demographics

Angela Medina

Age: None reported

Occupation: None reported

Gender: Female

Married: None reported

Children: Yes

Children Description: None reported

 

Elijah Trader

Age: None reported

Occupation: None reported

Gender: Male

Married: No

Children: No

Children Description: injured party

 

Written By –Jon Steiger

 

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