If you experienced a dog attack or dog bite, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for the injuries and damages you have incurred. An Avondale dog bite attorney may be able to help.
Our attorneys at Phillips Law Group welcome the opportunity to discuss your situation in a free consultation. Our firm has nearly 30 years of experience helping Arizona residents, having recovered more than $1 billion in compensation on behalf of over 155,000 clients. Our founding partner Jeff Phillips is a Leader Forum member of the American Association for Justice.
Your initial consultation with us is 100 percent free and confidential. There is no obligation to take legal action. If you decide to move forward, you will not be charged for our services unless we help you obtain compensation for your dog bite injury.
Contact us at 602-222-222 or fill out our free online form and a representative from our firm will reach out to you shortly.
Arizona Law on Dog Bites
In Arizona, a dangerous dog is described to be one that is aggressive and has already bit a person or a domestic animal without being provoked into doing so. Since Arizona is a “strict liability” state, the dog bite victim does not have the burden of proving negligence on the dog owner’s part. A dog owner may be liable for the dog bite if the following can be proven:
- The dog bite occurred on public property
- The victim was a guest on private property and lawfully allowed on the property
- The attack was unprovoked
The dog owner may retaliate and argue that the victim provoked the dog in some way which led to the dog attack. If the owner makes this claim, it is important to have evidence to prove your side.
This is a complex situation and it is recommended to speak to an experienced lawyer to discuss your options. Do not hesitate to contact our firm right away. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can schedule your free consultation when it is convenient for you.
Compensation Awarded for Dog Bite Victims
If our lawyers can prove that the dog owner was negligent and you were attacked without provoking the dog, you may pursue the following types of compensation:
- Medical expenses to care for the injury
- Prescription medication for the pain
- Lost wages from missing time from work to recover
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?
Personal injury claims, like dog bites, are required to be filed within two years following the date the dog bite accident took place. Claims that are not filed within this time frame may be dismissed by the court, which means that the victim loses out on obtaining compensation for his or her injury.
However, because each dog bite case is different, there may be certain exceptions to this general rule that will allow a victim to pursue compensation even if two years of have passed.
Speak to a member of our legal team by calling 602-222-222 .
How Can an Attorney Help My Case?
The dog owner may be covered by the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. In this case, it is likely that you will be contacted by the insurance company to give a statement on the accident. It is important to note that insurers do not have your best interest in mind. Their goal is to profit the company.
Insurance adjusters are often trained to use certain tactics to try to get you to say something that will hurt the value of your claim. By simply asking how badly you were hurt, they are hoping you will say something that will minimize the extent of your injuries, which will overall hurt your claim.
Our lawyers are aware of these tactics and understand how to avoid them. If you have a valid case, we are ready to handle all communication with the insurance company and other involved parties as well as conduct a thorough investigation and gather supportive evidence to prove that the dog bite occurred on a property you were legally allowed to be on and that the dog attack was unprovoked.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite
There are certain steps you can take following a dog bite accident to help ensure your safety. These steps may also be beneficial in building a strong case against the dog owner:
- Move away from the dog – Find a safe place away from the dog to assess the bite’s severity.
- Seek immediate medical attention – Even if the bite seems small, a serious infection may occur if the wound is not properly tended to.
- Report the dog attack – By Arizona law, any person with direct knowledge of a dog attack must report it to county law enforcement officials or Animal Control.
- Gather witness information – If anyone witnessed the dog attack, it is important to ask for his or her statement and contact details in case we need to verify the details of the attack.
- Take photos at the scene – If possible, take photos of the dog, the location, and the injuries as they appear initially following the attack.
- Keep track of medical bills – Be sure to keep copies of all medical receipts relating to the accident so that your lawyer can properly place a value on your claim.
Contact an Avondale Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has been attacked or bitten by a dog, do not hesitate to learn about your potential legal options. These cases are complex and involve many steps. An experienced lawyer from our firm may be able to ease the burden of the process by guiding you every step of the way.
We do not charge for our services unless we help you win compensation for the damages you have suffered, and we are available to discuss your situation whenever it is most convenient for you.
Our phone lines are open 24/7. Call 602-222-222 .