Have you or your child been attacked by a dog? The physical and emotional trauma of a dog bite can be overwhelming.
Medical bills pile up, you may miss work, and the fear from the attack can linger for years.
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, our Phoenix dog bite lawyers understand what you’re going through and are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Kurtz Riley Law Group?
When you’re suffering after a dog attack, you need a law firm that understands Arizona’s unique dog bite laws and has a proven track record of success in these cases.
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, we bring years of experience representing dog bite victims throughout Phoenix and the surrounding areas.
Our dog bite attorneys have successfully recovered significant compensation for numerous victims, from children mauled in neighborhood attacks to delivery workers bitten while performing their jobs. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial impacts these injuries can have on your life, and we’re committed to helping you recover.
What sets us apart is our personalized approach to every case. Unlike large, impersonal firms where clients are just file numbers, we take the time to understand your specific situation. We listen to your story, address your concerns, and develop a legal strategy tailored to your needs and goals.
Our team works diligently to build the strongest possible case for you. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the attack, gather compelling evidence, consult with medical experts about your injuries, and aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to secure the maximum compensation available.
Our office is conveniently located in Scottsdale at 10609 Hayden Rd Suite 106, just a short drive from the Loop 101 Freeway and near the Scottsdale Quarter. From this central location, we serve clients throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, making it easy for dog bite victims to access the experienced legal help they need.
Dog Bite Compensation
If you’ve suffered an injury from someone else’s dog, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Arizona’s dog bite laws strongly favor victims, making it possible to recover damages even if the dog had no history of aggression.
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, our Phoenix dog bite attorneys will fight to secure compensation for all your losses, including:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, surgeries, antibiotics, rabies shots, and follow-up care
- Reconstructive surgeries to address scarring and disfigurement
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Lost earnings if your injuries prevented you from working
- Future income losses if your injuries affect your earning capacity
- Pain and suffering for your physical and emotional trauma
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, fear of dogs, post-traumatic stress, and other psychological impacts
- Permanent scarring, disfigurement, and disability
The value of your dog bite case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the attack, your age, and the long-term impact on your life.
Children often receive higher compensation due to the lasting psychological effects and the visibility of facial scarring that may affect them throughout their lives.
Our experienced attorneys will carefully evaluate all aspects of your case to determine fair compensation. We’ll gather detailed documentation of your injuries and their impact, work with medical experts when necessary, and build a compelling case for the maximum recovery possible under Arizona law.
Where Do Dog Bites Occur in Phoenix?
Dog attacks can happen anywhere in Phoenix, but certain locations see higher numbers of incidents. Understanding where these attacks commonly occur can help illustrate the widespread nature of this problem.
According to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, which serves Phoenix and surrounding areas, thousands of dog bites are reported yearly.
Many attacks happen in residential neighborhoods throughout Phoenix, including areas like Ahwatukee, Desert Ridge, Arcadia, and South Mountain.
Parks and public spaces are also common locations for dog attacks. Popular spots like Steele Indian School Park, Encanto Park, and the numerous hiking trails around Phoenix see frequent incidents, especially when owners fail to keep their dogs leashed.
Dog bites also occur frequently in apartment complexes and multi-family housing throughout the city. Areas with high concentrations of rental properties often have more incidents, particularly when property managers fail to enforce pet policies.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reports that dog bites are most common in the spring and summer months, when more people are outdoors and interacting with dogs. Children under 10 years old are at particularly high risk, accounting for a significant percentage of dog bite victims treated in Phoenix emergency rooms each year.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor wounds to life-threatening trauma. At Kurtz Riley Law Group, our Phoenix dog bite attorneys have experience handling cases involving all types of injuries, including:
Puncture Wounds
Even seemingly small puncture wounds can drive harmful bacteria deep into tissues, leading to serious infections. These wounds may require thorough cleaning, antibiotics, and close monitoring.
Lacerations and Tears
Dogs can cause severe tears to the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries often require surgical repair and may leave permanent scarring.
Facial Injuries
Attacks on the face are particularly common, especially in children who are closer to a dog’s height. These injuries can damage eyes, ears, noses, and lips, often requiring plastic surgery and leaving lasting scars.
Broken Bones
The powerful jaws of larger dogs can crush bones, particularly in the hands, arms, and legs. These fractures may require surgery, casting, and extensive rehabilitation.
Nerve Damage
When a dog bites severely or damages nerves, victims may experience permanent numbness, weakness, or pain in the affected area.
Infections
Dog mouths contain numerous bacteria that can cause serious infections. These infections can spread to the bloodstream without proper treatment and become life-threatening.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Many dog bite victims are left with permanent, visible scars that can cause emotional distress and self-consciousness, particularly when they occur on the face or other visible areas.
Psychological Trauma
Beyond physical injuries, dog attack victims often suffer from psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, nightmares, and fear of dogs. Children are especially vulnerable to these lasting emotional impacts.
Arizona Dog Bite Laws
Arizona has specific laws regarding dog bites that significantly favor victims. Understanding these laws is vital to protecting your rights and pursuing fair compensation.
Arizona follows a “strict liability” rule for dog bites, which means dog owners are liable for injuries their dogs cause regardless of whether the dog had previously shown aggressive tendencies or whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
This is different from the “one free bite” rule followed in some other states.
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-1025, a dog owner is liable if:
- The injury was caused by their dog biting someone
- The person who was bitten was in a public place or lawfully on private property
There are limited defenses available to dog owners. They may not be liable if the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog. However, child victims are rarely considered to have provoked a dog, even if they approached or touched the dog before the attack.
It’s important to note that Arizona has a strict one-year statute of limitations for dog bite claims based on the strict liability statute. It means you must file your lawsuit within one year of the attack or risk losing your right to compensation. However, claims based on negligence have a two-year statute of limitations.
Fighting the Insurance Companies
After a dog bite incident, you’ll likely need to deal with the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance company. These insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to minimize their payouts and protect their profits.
Common tactics used by insurance companies in dog bite cases include:
- Claiming you provoked the dog, even when you didn’t
- Arguing that you were trespassing or not legally on the property
- Minimizing the severity of your injuries
- Questioning the necessity of your medical treatment
- Offering quick, low settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries
- Delaying the claims process, hoping you’ll give up or accept less out of frustration
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, we know these tactics well and have strategies to counter them effectively. Our Phoenix dog bite lawyers handle all communications with insurance companies, preventing them from taking advantage of you during this vulnerable time.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, taking the right steps can protect your health and your legal rights:
Seek Medical Attention
Even if the wound seems minor, get professional medical care right away. Dog bites can cause infections or internal damage that may not be immediately obvious.
Identify the Dog and Owner
If possible, get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner, as well as information about the dog’s vaccination history, particularly rabies vaccinations.
Report the Bite
Contact Maricopa County Animal Care and Control to report the bite. This creates an official record of the incident and may help protect others from the same dog.
Document Everything
Take photos of your injuries before treatment and as they heal. Keep records of all medical appointments, treatments, and expenses related to the bite.
Preserve Evidence
Don’t wash clothing worn during the attack, as it may contain important evidence. If possible, take photos of the location where the attack occurred.
Avoid Discussing Fault
Don’t make statements about how the bite occurred to the dog owner, their insurance company, or on social media. Even innocent comments can be used against you later.
Remember, you only have one year based on Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-541 to file a dog bite lawsuit. The sooner you reach out to our Phoenix dog bite attorneys, the sooner we can begin protecting your rights and building your case.
How Our Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help
Navigating a dog bite claim while recovering from your injuries can be overwhelming. Our experienced legal team handles every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
We gather key evidence about the dog, its owner, and the circumstances of the attack. It may include interviewing witnesses, obtaining animal control records, and documenting the scene of the attack.
We work with medical professionals to fully understand your injuries and their long-term impact. In cases involving severe injuries, we may consult plastic surgeons, psychologists, and other specialists to document all aspects of your suffering.
While the dog owner is typically liable, there may be other responsible parties, such as property owners, landlords who allowed dangerous dogs on their property, or dog walkers or sitters who failed to control the animal.
We carefully evaluate all your losses, including current and future medical expenses, lost income, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering, to ensure you seek full and fair compensation.
Our attorneys are experienced negotiators who know how to deal with insurance companies. We fight for a fair settlement that truly reflects the full extent of your losses.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court. Our skilled trial attorneys will present your case persuasively to a judge and jury.
We ensure your claim is filed within Arizona’s strict time limits, protecting your right to compensation.
Common Dog Breeds Involved in Bite Cases
While any dog can bite under certain circumstances, some breeds are statistically more likely to be involved in severe attack cases due to their size, strength, or other characteristics. In Phoenix, we commonly see cases involving:
- Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mixes
- German Shepherds
- Rottweilers
- Huskies
- Chows
It’s important to note that breed alone doesn’t determine a dog’s behavior. Factors such as training, socialization, and the owner’s responsibility play important roles in preventing dog attacks.
The Veterinary Medical Association says an estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur yearly in the United States, with about 800,000 requiring medical attention.
Call the Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyers at Kurtz Riley Law Group
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury by a dog, don’t wait to get the legal help you need. Dog bite cases have strict time limits in Arizona, and delays can harm your ability to recover full compensation.
At Kurtz Riley Law Group, our experienced Phoenix dog bite lawyers understand your physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
We’re dedicated to helping you navigate the legal process while fighting for the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Contact us at (623) 303-5754 for a free, no-obligation consultation.