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.
Verdicts And Settlements
$ 1,171,438
Personal Injury -Fall Down Stairs
$ 750,000
Personal Injury
$ 500,000
Personal Injury -Permanent Injuries, Fractured Arm and Ribs, Ligament Damage
$ 500,000
Personal Injury -Crushed Tibia, Fibula, Contusions
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
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.
I'm sincerely grateful to my noble Phillips Law firm legal experts for their integrity n intelligent work for making my accident to not go free in my paint injuries. God richly bless them, for bring settlement big cash to me.
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.
Just would like to share my experience with Phillips And Associates. Ever since my accident in the first of the year, it was a life changing event for me and I finally decided to go with a personal injury attorney. I contacted Phillips And Associates and they made me feel like I was an actual person instead of a lot of other firms try to go with me like a number, Phillips And Associates has reached out to me in a kind, courteous and caring way they fully understand on the circumstances of the accident So far, Phillips And Associates has been absolutely wonderful. I truly recommend going with Phillips And Associates. Thanks (RuthAnn), your the Best!!! And Thank you...
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.