Dog bite injuries can lead to significant physical and financial setbacks. At Sargon Law Group, we are here to help if you need a Phoenix dog bite attorney by your side. Our team has extensive experience handling complex injury claims throughout Arizona, and we understand dog bite laws specific to this state. Our Phoenix personal injury attorneys want to help you recover the compensation you need to get through this and move forward with your life.
Why Choose Sargon Law Group for Help?
- At Sargon Law Group, we take pride in our work and how we can help clients recover compensation during difficult times in their lives.
- We take the time to listen to your story, and we will always keep you updated as your case moves forward.
- Our team handles dog bite injury claims in Phoenix on a contingency fee basis, which means clients never worry about paying legal fees until we successfully recover compensation on their behalf.
Most Common Dog Bite Injuries
The World Animal Foundation states that more than 1,000 individuals sustain dog bite injuries each day. That number may seem shocking, but considering there are dogs and more than 45 million households in the country, it is almost surprising there are not more dog bites.
Dogs have powerful jaws that can inflict significant injuries on the human body, particularly the soft tissue areas. It is not uncommon for individuals to sustain the following types of injuries as a result of a dog bite incident:
- Significant lacerations or puncture wounds
- Torn veins, arteries, nerves, and muscles
- Amputations of the fingers
- Significant scarring and disfigurement
In addition to these traumatic injuries caused by a dog bite, individuals may also experience significant emotional and psychological trauma in the aftermath. This can include feelings of anxiety, fear, and stress, particularly around other dogs. It is not uncommon for dog bite injury victims to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Who Is Liable Under Arizona Dog Bite Laws?
Different states handle dog bite injury claims in various ways, but Arizona uses a strict liability rule. In states that use the strict liability system for dog bites, this means that the dog’s owner will be held legally responsible for any injury caused by the bite, regardless of whether or not the dog owner was negligent. The dog owner will be responsible even if the dog has never bitten anybody before. So long as the injury victim was on public property or lawfully on private property when the bite injury occurred, the dog owner will be responsible for the victim’s medical bills.
Under this system, only the dog’s owner can be held liable. If there was a third-party individual in control of the dog when the bite injury occurred, they will not be the ones held responsible. The dog owner will be liable for the injuries.
However, we do want to point out that, under this strict liability system, it is not possible to recover pain and suffering damages.
In order for a dog bite injury victim to recover compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the incident, they have to step outside of the strict liability system and prove that the dog owner was negligent in some way. This could include willfully allowing the dog to roam off-leash, allowing known vicious dogs around others, failing to keep a dog latched inside a fence, etc. Our experienced Phoenix premises liability lawyer have also handled dog bite injury cases which fall under premises liability claims.
Does Arizona Have a One Bite Rule?
Arizona does not have a one-bite rule. In states that do have a one-bite rule, this typically means dog bite injury victims will not be able to recover automatic compensation after a dog bites them unless they can show that the dog has previously bitten somebody or shown a propensity for aggression.
However, just because Arizona does not have a one-bite rule does not necessarily mean the dog bite injury victim will not face a lawsuit. Dog owners can be held responsible through a personal injury lawsuit in civil court if their negligence contributed to the incident. If an injury victim can show that a dog has been aggressive in the past but the dog owner failed to take steps to keep others safe around the dog, this could bolster the chances of success with a personal injury lawsuit.
Types of Compensation Available for Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite injury victims may be able to recover various types of compensation for their losses. Our goal is to recover economic and non-economic damages for every dog bite injury victim that we assist.
Economic damages related to a dog bite injury revolve around calculable expenses the victim will endure. This includes all emergency medical bills, surgical expenses, physical therapy, medications, medical devices, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses that can be verified by receipts, bills, and estimates.
Non-economic damages revolve around more immeasurable losses that a dog bite injury victim will likely endure. These focus on the physical and emotional pain and suffering experienced by the victim as well as any loss of quality of life they endure due to the dog bite. These types of losses will be available if a victim can prove that the dog owner was negligent and that the negligence led to the dog bite incident.
The total amount of compensation paid to dog bite injury victims in Arizona will vary depending on the facts surrounding each particular claim. These claims can range in value from a few thousand dollars to well over $100,000, and we encourage you to reach out to your attorney to speak about the specifics of your claim.
How to File a Dog Bite Claim
The process of filing a dog bite claim can seem confusing, especially at first. Do you start right with filing a claim with the insurance carrier or do you file a lawsuit in civil court?
To best understand your options moving forward from here, we encourage you to explain your situation to a dog bite lawyer in Phoenix who can walk you through each step. Your attorney can be the one responsible for filing these claims on time and properly.
As we mentioned above, Arizona is a strict liability state concerning dog bite incidents. This means that individuals do not necessarily have to prove that the dog owner was negligent in order to recover compensation for their losses. Filing a dog bite injury claim often begins and ends with filing a claim with the dog owner’s insurance carrier, typically a homeowners’ or renter’s insurance policy.
However, individuals may be able to file a civil personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner if their negligence contributed to the incident. This can help individuals receive additional types of compensation, including pain and suffering damages.
How Long After a Dog Attack Do You Have to File Your Lawsuit?
It is imperative to understand the different timeframes involved with dog bite injury claims. If an individual is looking to file a strict liability claim against a dog owner, they must do so within one year after the incident occurs. This is different from the overall two-year personal injury statute of limitations typically in place for an injury claim in Arizona. This two-year time frame will apply if an individual is filing a personal injury lawsuit in order to prove the dog owner’s negligence.
We encourage you to work with your Phoenix dog bite injury attorney if you have any questions about the timelines related to your particular case as well as questions related to what type of claim to file.
How Does Insurance Come Into Play in a Dog Bite Case?
Insurance carriers play a major role concerning Arizona dog bite injury claims. The vast majority of dog bite incidents get resolved through settlements with insurance carriers. This is particularly important for a strict liability state where dog owners do not have to necessarily be negligent in order for a victim to recover compensation.
However, even though Arizona is a strict liability dog bite state, that does not mean the case will be easy or that insurance carriers will not try to limit how much compensation they pay. Insurance claims adjusters are good at their jobs, and the number one priority of their job is to limit how much compensation they pay to claimants.
We strongly encourage you to let your dog bite injury lawyer handle every aspect of your claim, including all communication with the insurance carriers. There will likely need to be negotiations about the final dollar figure you are paid, which can include significant back and forth between your lawyer and the insurance carrier.
Call a Phoenix Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today
If you or somebody you care about has sustained a dog bite injury in the Phoenix, Arizona, area, reach out to the team at Sargon Law Group for assistance today. Our experienced Phoenix dog bite injury lawyers want to examine your claim, work on initiating an insurance claim or civil lawsuit against the dog owner, and help you recover the compensation you need. You can contact our Phoenix dog bite attorney for a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling us at (623) 225-5635.