Dog bite victims often sustain physical and mental injuries during the course of an attack. Extended recovery times and the associated medical expenses from the physical damage can be significant, while the mental scarring can last a lifetime.
For help with your personal injury claim, contact a Mesa dog bite lawyer today for your free case evaluation. There are no upfront fees if we take on your case and we are ready to help you today.
How Do I Know If I Have A Case?
In the state of Arizona, there are specific liability laws that have been put in place to help protect dog bite victims. These include a dog owner potentially being held liable if their dog bites someone that is in a public place or that is lawfully in a private place.
For example – if you have been bitten by a friend’s dog while at their residence – and you were a guest or an invitee to that residence – you may be eligible to file a damages claim. However, if you are bitten while trespassing on someone else’s property and you were not invited to that property, your claim will likely be dismissed.
In the event that a dog owner claims that the plaintiff provoked the dog prior to the attack, proof must be established if that is true or not.
If the owner of the dog is not present but a caretaker is, both the caretaker and the owner may be held responsible for the incident.
In most instances, the statute of limitations in Arizona dictates that victims have two years to file their damages claim. This means that from the date of the dog bite, a person has two years to file a damages lawsuit. However, there may be certain circumstances that result in that date being shortened or extended. The best course of action is to work with a Mesa dog bite attorney to ensure you understand your rights.
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Why Should I Hire A Lawyer?
Dog bite cases can be difficult cases as the plaintiff needs to prove that negligence was a contributing factor to the injury that was received.
In the event that the dog owner has homeowner or renters insurance, that policy may include provisions for dog bite liability. If so, the insurance company of the defendant will likely be in contact with the victim very quickly. The goal of the insurance company is to close the claim as quickly as possible for the smallest possible financial outlay. Often, insurance company representatives will attempt to obtain information about the attack and/or a statement from the victim. This information can be used against the plaintiff.
Having a lawyer to handle these enquiries can be very helpful – especially when the Mesa dog bite victim is recovering from the physical and mental trauma that is often associated with a dog attack.
Assembling evidence to build a robust argument for your damages claim is also a time consuming and expensive process. Often, industry experts are called upon to help validate the claim made by the plaintiff, which can increase the cost of supporting the case significantly.
At Phillips Law Group, we charge no upfront fees if we take on your case. We also offer a free, initial consultation to help determine if you have a case and we only get paid when we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
In the state of Arizona, there are no damage caps or limits on personal injury awards. In a dog bite case, the plaintiff may be eligible to receive compensation via two separate categories:
- Economic damages: These types of damages are directly related to the expenses that the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s insurance company has paid due to the injuries that were sustained. Examples of these may include medical expenses and lost income.
- Non-economic damages: These damages are those that may not be directly calculated by an existing cost. They may include pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life.
It’s important to note that each case is unique and consequently, it can be difficult to determine the exact value of your potential dog bite case. However, we understand that as a dog bite victim, you may have questions about your claim.
At Phillips Law Group, we have answers. Our Mesa attorneys offer a free review of your claim to help determine if there are grounds to file a lawsuit and we charge no upfront fees if we take on your dog bite case.
What Is Considered to Be A Dangerous Dog?
By definition, an aggressive or dangerous dog is generally considered to be one that has already bitten someone – or another domestic animal – without any provocation.
While Arizona is considered to be a “dog-friendly” state where specific breeds of dogs are not banned, all dogs that are older than 3 months of age must be licensed in Arizona, where the owner must also provide a current, valid vaccination certificate that has been signed by a licensed veterinarian.
In the event that an undocumented dog bites someone, the dog is placed into quarantine and kept for 10 days from the known date of the bite. If the date of the bite is unknown, the 10 days begins when the animal is kept in containment.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Morgan W.
I felt they were more my friends than my personal injury lawyer and that isn't something you're taught it's something you have inside. If I ever needed a lawyer again Phillips Law Group Injury Lawyers would be my only choice. I can't recommend them enough. They are professional on every level and compassionate throughout. Thank you for everything.
Blanca D.
When in pain because of an accident all you want to do is focus on getting better and that is what did thanks to this firm. My family and I were set up with a Dr and Chiro right away. The treatment we received was great. I am extremely thankful for all the help we received and the outcome on the cases. Thanks to everyone involved on my case. A special thanks the intake specialist Rosalba who was very kind on the phone when I first called. I highly recommend this firm to anyone, they treat you like family.
Erika A.
I am so thankful for Ruthann and Maria. They both were amazing throughout the process. When Maria took over my case, I felt like I was being treated with empathy about my pain and experiences while treating. She also made sure to answer my questions. Maria always responded to my communication attempts and answered questions I had as they came up. She helped me with things I needed in regards to my case and helped ease the anxiety as bills piled up and my injuries were still being treated. I was able to contact her as I was treating and she helped find providers closer to my home to make it more accommodating for me. This helped me juggle work...
Santana D.
Ruby, Jennifer, Angela did me great over at this law firm. I will recommend them to anybody that has been in an injury in Phoenix Arizona they are awesome 😎. Got paid 6 months after my accident. Then out of the blue a couple years later they still contract me with another check $$$$$🤑😎🤑. Thank you....
Yunior R.
Philips Law Group offers outstanding customer service and a profound knowledge of personal injury law. Right from the initial call through to your office visit, they ensure you feel well-supported. A special mention goes to Ilse, the client experience coordinator. Her expertise in insurance policies is remarkable, and she articulately explains them in both Spanish and English. She skillfully navigates you through the process with empathy and understanding. A heartfelt thanks for the exceptional experience!
Art R.
Phillips was able to get me a good settlement after the first law group I called completely failed. Highly recommend you give them a call after your personal injury.
Rebecca M.
Philips was an awesome choice got me into the doctors offices for visits quickly and efficiently. I also want to give a big shout out to Michael the negotiator for Philips he went above and beyond to help my case get to the finish line! Also want to thank Jason and the friendly front staff.
Vallery A
Throughout the most stressful time Carmen and Donato managed to get me to the correct doctors and get the correct care I needed to make the whole process smooth and less stressful. They always answered any question or concern with professionalism and courtesy. They always valued my time as I valued theirs. Definitely recommend this great firm!
Martin K.
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Latosha E.
What can I say about Phillips Law group. I was involved in a major car accident and sustained injuries. I looked up for Law Firms in Arizona and stumbled across Phillips Law Group. I decided to give them a call about my accident, and they were very respectful and took in my case immediately. They assigned me Tim LeDuc to represent me. From the beginning, he was very responsive and made sure to give me the proper care I deserved from this accident. Him and his team fought tooth and nail to give me the best settlement I deserved. I am so thankful, and I highly recommend Phillips Law Group to represent anyone who has been in any accident and...
Emily N.
My case closed yesterday and I RAN to make this review because of how exceptional my experience has been with Phillips Law Group! I received the best settlement I could've hoped for and am extremely happy with the outcome; but I especially wanted to shout out and give praise to Julianna, the Litigation Paralegal on my case. From the moment Julianna was assigned to my case almost two years ago, until the completion of the settlement process yesterday, Julianna's commitment to exceptional customer service, clear communication, and unwavering support truly stood out. I had so many questions -- from the legal process, to where to seek medical treatment, to questions about medical bills, to the negotiation process, and more --...
Ari
I am very impressed by how much care and effort this group puts into helping the homeless. That’s not something you see enough, especially in this time of increasing need for community. It’s important to me to work with companies that align with my views, and I would definitely go to Phillips for any future personal injury lawyer needs.
Rich S.
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What Should I Do After A Dog Attack?
Dog attacks can result in serious personal injury and mental scarring for victims. Following an attack, there are some things that can help your damages claim:
- Get to safety: Removing yourself from the situation is paramount. Getting away from the attacking dog can provide an opportunity to assess any injuries that you may have sustained.
- Seek medical attention: Whether a wound is large or small, dog bites can produce serious infections, diseases and lifelong scarring. Receiving early medical treatment can help to minimize these risks while also establishing a record of medical treatment, which can help to validate your claim.
- Report the incident: State law in Arizona requires that any person with direct knowledge of a dog attack is to report it to county law enforcement agencies immediately. Dog bites can also be reported to Animal Care and Control.
- Record witness contact information: Having the contact information of any witnesses can also be helpful in validating your claim.
- Take photos: If possible, take photos of the injury and during any follow up visits with your physician.
- Keep medical receipts: Keeping track of the costs you have paid for medical treatment – including any physical therapy costs – may be useful when building your case.
- Contact a dog bite lawyer: Even if you think you do not have a case, contacting a dog bite attorney can help to review the information about the event and then determine if you have grounds to file a lawsuit.
While a Mesa dog bite attorney will work on your behalf to obtain as much of this information possible, having the records available can be a benefit to your damages claim.
Contact A Mesa Dog Bite Attorney Today
With more than $1 billion in compensation recoveries on behalf of our clients, at Phillips Law Group, we have a proven record of success. Having represented more than 155,000 consumer clients, we have the experience to handle your dog bite lawsuit and charge no upfront fees if you decide to hire us.
For your free, initial consultation, call us today or fill out the “Free Case Review” form that is located on this page to connect with a Mesa dog bite lawyer.