Even well-trained dogs can sometimes be aggressive if they feel like they or their owners are being threatened, and poorly trained dogs are even more likely to respond aggressively to other people and animals that get near them. Fortunately, Arizona state law is fairly generous in terms of the rights it provides people injured through dog bites to demand financial compensation from the owner(s) of that dog, even in situations where the dog in question had never bitten anyone else before.
That said, personal injury litigation built around this sort of incident can still be complicated and challenging to achieve positive results from, especially if you try to pursue your claim without guidance from a capable personal injury attorney. If you want the best possible chances of getting every cent of compensation you need for your injuries and losses, working with a skilled Tempe dog bite lawyer may be a virtual necessity.
When Are Dog Owners Liable for Bite Injuries?
In some states, dog owners are subject to what is known colloquially as a “one-bite rule,” under which they can be held “strictly liable” for their dog biting someone else. This is opposed to an injured person having to prove them “negligent” in some way which directly led to the dog bite—if that dog had previously bitten and injured another person or animal. In Arizona, though, Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-1025 holds all dog owners strictly liable for any injury their dog causes by biting another person who is in a public place or lawfully in a private place, regardless of what history of violent conduct—or lack thereof—the dog had.
That said, there are a few notable exceptions to this “strict liability” under specific circumstances. For example, dog owners may not be liable for injuries their dog causes to someone trespassing on their property or to someone who was harassing or otherwise provoking the dog prior to the bite incident. A Tempe dog bite attorney could go into further detail about how state law approaches cases like this and offer guidance about the next steps toward a potential lawsuit during a private initial meeting.
Getting Paid Fairly for All Available Damages
Even small dogs can cause serious skin lacerations and soft-tissue injuries, which may take a long time to heal and can get dangerously infected. The jaws of larger dogs are often strong enough to tear through muscle and possibly shatter bones. With all this in mind, it can be crucial when seeking compensation for a dog attack to account for both short-term and long-term effects that injury will have on a person, including:
- Physical discomfort and pain
- Lost enjoyment/quality of life
- Personal property damage and loss
- Lost working capacity or work income
- Emotional anguish and suffering, including effects of psychological conditions like PTSD
- Emergency medical expenses and expected future care costs, including for things like corrective surgeries and physical therapy
Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to seek restitution through a dog owner’s homeowners’ insurance policy, through a lawsuit or settlement demand pursued directly against the dog owner, or a combination of both. Once again, a dog injury lawyer in Tempe can provide more specific information about a particular person’s recovery options during a confidential consultation.
Speak With a Tempe Dog Bite Attorney Today
Being attacked by a dog can be a traumatic and sometimes life-altering experience, especially for young children, elderly adults, and people already dealing with physical disabilities. When you or a family member has been seriously hurt through a dog bite, that animal’s owner likely owes you substantial compensation for your losses, and support from experienced legal counsel could be vital to getting paid what you deserve.
A Tempe dog bite lawyer from our firm is unafraid to go to court on your behalf and can be an irreplaceable ally from start to finish of a case like this. Call the Phillips Law Group today to get started.
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