Negligence
DOGS ATTACK NEIGHBOR: STRICT LIABILITY: FAILURE TO CLOSE FENCE: BITES: SCARRING: POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.
Johnson v. Johnson, N.J., Essex Co. Super., No. ESX-L-6874-07, December 11, 2007.
Johnson, 14, was outside on his porch when two of his next-door neighbor’s dogs escaped from the rear yard and attacked him. He suffered about 24 bites to his arms, legs, and face, requiring surgery. One of the dogs had not been vaccinated for rabies, and Johnson had to undergo rabies treatment. He now has residual and permanent scarring and suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder, causing difficulties sleeping and problems at school. He incurred an unspecified amount of medical expenses.
The parties settled before trial for $280,000, to be paid by defendant’s insurer.
