Were you or a loved one bitten by someone else’s dog in Phoenix, Arizona? KRLG Injury Lawyers is here to help. The dog’s owner may owe you compensation. An experienced Phoenix dog bite lawyer can fight to maximize your compensation award. Call (623) 303-5754 today to schedule your free consultation.
Our attorneys have over 43 years of experience handling personal injury cases. Over the years, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of injured parties and their families. Dog owners should take responsibility for injuries their animals cause. Our lawyers can help you make that happen.
Why Choose KRLG Injury Lawyers to Help After a Dog Bite in Phoenix?
You may initially think that the dog’s owner will step up and cover your damages. Most victims find that they’re forced to deal with the owner’s insurance company. The insurance company will do everything possible to diminish your case value–or deny your claim outright.
Our Phoenix personal injury attorneys at KRLG Injury Lawyers are battle-tested and have decades of experience successfully recovering compensation for our clients.
For our success, we’ve been recognized by:
- Super Lawyers, as Rising Stars
- Forbes Advisor
- Best Lawyers, as Ones to Watch
To date, we’ve recovered over $250 million in settlements and verdicts. Now, our Phoenix dog bite lawyers are here to help you pursue justice. Contact our Phoenix, AZ, law office today to learn more about the benefits of securing legal representation.
What Is My Phoenix Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
While no two dog bite injuries are the same, there are several factors that are relevant to nearly every case.
Those include:
- The severity of the injury and the cost of your medical treatment
- Whether the injury prevented you from working and you lost wages
- Whether the injury will impact your future earnings
- How the injury impacts your quality of life
- Available insurance coverage
- Whether shared fault is an issue in your case
Our attorneys in Phoenix can help you calculate the value of your case. When you begin insurance negotiations, you should know how much your case is worth. Without that information, you risk letting the insurance company take advantage of you.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Phoenix?
While the exact types of damages that are available will vary from case to case, two primary types of damages are available.
Economic damages reimburse you for any injury-related expenses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Mental health treatment
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages address the more personal and subjective experiences of the victim, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Fear
- Depression
- Embarrassment
- Reduced ability to enjoy life
Punitive damages are highly unlikely in dog bite injury cases. Unless the dog’s owner trained the dog to attack, it’s very unlikely that a court would award these punishment-related damages.
We can discuss the types of damages that may be available in greater detail during your free initial consultation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Injury Case in Arizona?
You won’t pay our attorneys anything until we recover compensation in your case. When you hire us, you’ll agree to pay a fixed percentage of your settlement or verdict. With this contingency fee arrangement, you can secure our legal services without any risk.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for Provoking a Dog Bite in Arizona?
Shared fault is often an issue in dog bite injury cases. The owner will likely claim that you did something to provoke the animal’s attack.
You won’t lose your right to damages entirely even if the defendant has proof that your negligence did somehow play a role.
Arizona is a pure comparative negligence state. When a victim shares some blame for an injury, their damages are reduced to account for their actions. For example, if you were found to be 25% responsible, you remain entitled to 75% of your otherwise available compensation.
While you won’t lose your right to damages, you should still take these allegations seriously. Dog bites can be expensive. Insurance companies don’t always have strong evidence to back their accusations. When you’re being blamed, consulting an experienced Phoenix dog bite attorney is the best course of action.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Phoenix, Arizona
Dogs have the ability to cause any number of injuries, including:
- Deep cuts and puncture wounds
- Infections, which can occur because of bacteria in the animal’s mouth
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage to the muscles, tendons and ligaments
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Amputations and other infection-related injuries
- Paralysis
At KRLG Injury Lawyers, we represent injured clients who have suffered all types of injuries. If you were hurt and another person’s dog was responsible, contact us today to learn about your legal right to pursue compensation.
How Do I Prove the Dog’s Owner Owes Me Compensation After a Dog Bite in Arizona?
The laws regarding dog bite injuries vary by state. Arizona is a strict liability state for dog bites. When it comes to dog bite injuries, you won’t have to prove the owner was somehow negligent to recover damages.
Instead, under Arizona law, you must prove:
- You were lawfully on private property or in a public place
- The defendant’s dog bit you
- You suffered damages due to your dog bite injuries
These laws allow you to recover damages even if the dog bit you while you were on the dog owner’s property.
Arizona dog bite laws also protect you if the owner did not know the dog’s vicious tendencies. The dog owner can be liable even if the dog had never behaved aggressively in the past.
Common Defenses Raised by Dog Owners in Dog Bite Injury Cases
While the strict liability standard may seem straightforward, in reality, complications often arise. Dog owners usually want to defend their animals. Even if they seem ready to accept blame, the insurance company will search for any possible defense.
Two primary defenses exist in Arizona dog bite cases:
- Provocation
- Trespassing
The strict liability dog bite law does not apply if you were on private property without the owner’s permission.
Similarly, a dog’s owner isn’t automatically liable if you provoked the dog. The dog’s owner may claim that you did something that a reasonable person would expect to provoke a dog to attack.
Are Negligence Theories Relevant to Dog Bite Injury Claims in Arizona?
Negligence theories can be relevant in three primary situations:
- The strict liability law does not apply because you provoked the dog
- You were bitten while visiting a business and are attempting to hold the business owner liable under premises liability laws
- The dog attacked and injured you, but did not actually bite you
All dog owners have a duty of care towards their dogs. Under negligence theories, dog owners can be held liable if they fail to take reasonable steps to prevent a reasonably foreseeable dog-related injury.
For example, a dog’s owner may be liable under negligence theories if:
- They failed to secure their dog on their own property
- They allowed the dog to roam freely in violation of Phoenix leash laws
Third parties can also be liable if their negligent behavior allowed the dog bite to occur.
When you visit a store, hotel, or other business establishment, the owner has a duty to provide reasonably safe property conditions. Allowing a dangerous dog to remain on the premises can expose the owner to liability under Arizona premises liability laws.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Arizona?
Some studies estimate that around 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year.
According to some estimates, about 1,000 Americans visit emergency rooms with dog bite injuries each day. Approximately 12,480 of those dog bites are serious enough that the victim is hospitalized.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite Injury in Arizona?
The statute of limitations in Arizona gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. The two-year period starts on the date of your dog bite injury.
Limited exceptions are available. They primarily apply in cases involving young children. When children are injured, their two-year statute of limitations does not start to run until their 18th birthday. However, parents also have the right to take legal action on behalf of their child.
Call Our Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Case Review
Dog bites and animal attacks can be incredibly traumatic. Unfortunately, many victims are children. If you or a loved one were bitten by someone else’s dog, call our experienced Phoenix dog bite lawyer today. At KRLG Injury Lawyers, your consultation is always free, and there’s never any obligation.