The physical and emotional damage from a dog bite or attack can affect victims for quite a long time. Recovering compensation can be very important as victims look to heal as much as possible and move on with their lives.
The licensed Lake Havasu City dog bite attorneys at Phillips Law Group are prepared to discuss your attack and whether you may be eligible to seek compensation. In more than 27 years serving Arizona injury victims, we have been able to obtain more than $1 billion in compensation for more than 155,000 consumer clients.
The consultation with our lawyers is free of charge and comes with no obligation for you to pursue legal action. We do not charge up front fees for representing you ”“ we are only paid if we achieve compensation for your injuries.
Call Phillips Law Group at 602-222-222 for your free consultation.
Do You Have a Case Against the Dog’s Owner?
Dog bite claims in Arizona are governed by the theory of strict liability. Victims do not need to prove the dog attack resulted from the owner’s negligence, such as the failure to have the dog on a leash or put up a fence around the yard.
In Arizona, victims only need to prove they were bitten by a dog on public or private property. However, the victim must have had the legal right to be on the property at the time of the attack. Trespassers usually cannot recover compensation. This is explained in Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 11-1025 Liability for dog bites.
Some states require victims to prove the dog was designated as dangerous or vicious before the attack and the owner knew about it. Dog bite liability is much simpler in Arizona.
An exception to the theory of strict liability for a dog attack is if the animal was provoked. The dog owner’s home insurance company or the owner may say the victim taunted the dog, pulled on its tail, disturbed it while it was eating or snuck up to it. When these claims are made, victims and their attorneys must prove provocation did not occur.
Although strict liability is somewhat simpler than negligence, dog bite cases in Arizona can still be quite complicated. There are many benefits to allowing a licensed attorney to manage the legal process on your behalf.
Call a Lake Havasu City dog bite lawyer to learn more. 602-222-222
Damages from a Dog Attack
One of your biggest expenses after a dog bite or attack could be the cost of current and ongoing treatment for your injuries. However, this is not the only type of damage your lawyer may pursue in an injury claim.
Other damages from a dog bite that you could claim may include:
Lost wages from missed time at work
Loss of earning capacity
Emotional suffering
Physical pain
Loss of enjoyment of life
Disfigurement
The damages from a dog attack depend on the injuries suffered, their severity and many other factors.
There is a limited amount of time to take legal action in Arizona after a dog bite. Typically, you have just two years from the date of your injury to file a claim. There are exceptions to this though, so it is important to ask your Lake Havasu City dog bite lawyer about it.
If you miss the deadline that applies to your claim, you may lose the opportunity to pursue compensation. It is important to call a lawyer as soon as possible; time could be running out on your chance to seek compensation.
Advantages of Legal Representation for Victims
Pursuing compensation for a dog bite can be quite complicated. You may need to file an insurance claim with the defendant’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company.
However, insurance companies often look for any way possible to deny compensation or devalue a claim. If you talk to the insurance company, they may ask a variety of questions designed to get you to admit fault, minimize your injuries, discredit you, or otherwise hurt your chances of receiving compensation.
Victims often do not know the best ways to protect their claims and may also be unsure of what they are required to do when filing insurance claims.
This is one of the many reasons victims should consider hiring an experienced lawyer. The attorneys at Phillips Law Group have dealt with many insurance companies and understand the tactics they use to avoid paying compensation to victims. We have defended tens of thousands of accident victims and obtained hundreds of millions in compensation.
If you have a legitimate case and hire our firm, we are prepared to manage the entire investigation and deal with the insurance company on your behalf. We keep our clients well informed throughout the process and can answer your questions.
We have the resources to conduct a thorough investigation and build a robust case. Our team of attorneys, paralegals, investigators and support staff is prepared to get to work pursuing fair compensation.
Call us 24/7 at a time that works for you: 602-222-222 .
Definition of a Dangerous Dog in Arizona
Under Arizona law, an aggressive or dangerous dog is one that bit a person or domestic animal or pet without being provoked into an attack.
Despite this law, the state does not ban people from owning certain breeds of dogs that are generally considered dangerous. However, the state does have certain regulations on dogs:
Dogs older than three months must be licensed with the state
Owners must have current, valid vaccination certificates that are signed by a licensed veterinarian
If an unregistered dog bites a person, the dog must be put into quarantine for 10 days from the date of the bite
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Injury
There are certain steps you can take after a dog bite or attack to help protect your health and safety and protect your potential claim against the owner.
Get away from the dog ”“ The most important thing after a bite is to get away from the dog to prevent any further injuries. This will also give you the time you need to determine where you have been injured.
Get to the hospital ”“ No matter how minor you think the injury appears to be, you need medical attention. Dogs may carry dangerous infections and a seemingly minor injury could turn out to be a major wound that takes time to develop. Seeking medical treatment also documents your injury, helping to connect it to the attack.
Report your attack ”“ You are legally obligated to report the attack to county law enforcement right away. You should also report the incident to the local animal control department.
Gather information at the scene ”“ If you are able while at the scene, take pictures of your injuries, the scene, the dog, the location of the attack and anything else that might be relevant. If there are witnesses, ask them what they saw and take notes.
Be careful talking to insurance companies ”“ If the owner’s insurance company calls, watch what you say. You can also refer the insurance company to your attorney and refuse to answer their questions. You are not obligated to provide a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer right away.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Lake Havasu City Dog Bite Attorney
We encourage you to contact our lawyers for your free consultation. There is no upfront payment required for us to represent you. We do not get paid unless you do.
We understand how difficult the aftermath of a dog bite can be. Our goal, if we determine you have a valid case, is to obtain fair compensation for medical costs, psychological trauma and other damages you may have suffered.
You can contact our firm 24/7 to schedule your free consultation. We represent dog bite victims in Lake Havasu City, Kingman and the surrounding areas. Founder Jeffrey Phillips has obtained compensation for injured victims throughout the state of Arizona, including Mohave, Maricopa, Pina and Pinal counties.
