A dog bite has the potential to cause serious harm. Victims may experience physical and psychological harm, which may have lifelong repercussions. If an attack or bite hurts you or a loved one, the dog’s owner might be liable for your medical bills and related expenses.
If you want compensation for your injuries, you must know your legal alternatives under Arizona law. Contact a Flagstaff dog bite attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation. This will evaluate your case and lay out your options. If you are wondering how we would go about it, here’s a glimpse.
Filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Flagstaff, AZ
When it comes to dog bite lawsuits, the law in Arizona is strict liability. Arizona Revised Statute §11-1025 makes it possible to sue a dog’s owner for any harm their pet causes. Dog owners are responsible for injuries sustained by visitors to their property, whether on public or private land.
Proof of the owner’s carelessness is not necessary to file a legitimate claim for damages after a dog bite. Proof that the owner knew the dog was hazardous is also not required. The victim and dog owner might share responsibility for an attack if the victim was judged to have provoked the animal.
You must consult an experienced Florida dog bite lawyer to understand your legal options. We at Zanes Law are committed to helping dog bite victims obtain adequate compensation for the injuries they sustained in this ordeal. Our Flagstaff dog bite attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and alternatives.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Flagstaff, call 866-499-8989
Arizona’s Strict Liability Law
The dog’s owner may not be held financially responsible for the victim’s medical bills or other damages under the “one bite law” if it’s the first time the dog has bitten someone. On the other hand, if a dog bites in Arizona, the dog owner is strictly liable. It establishes that, even if the dog in question has never attacked anybody, the owner may be held accountable for the victim’s financial damages.
Suppose a dog is not contained in an enclosure or restrained by a leash. In that case, the owner is held strictly liable under Arizona’s other strict liability legislation in the event of an attack. The animal’s owner or caretaker may be held liable for any damages caused by the animal.
The animal for this law must have bitten the victim to take effect. More importantly, the bite must have occurred off-premises, either on public or private land. The injured party would not be necessary to prove the owner’s negligence to hold them accountable for the attack.
Flagstaff Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 866-499-8989
Exceptions to Arizona’s Strict Liability Law
Arizona’s strict liability statute does not apply in two types of cases. These include:
- Provocation: Under Arizona’s strict liability law, the owner wouldn’t be held liable if the dog attacked because the victim provoked it. For a dog to attack a human, the victim must have done something that provoked the dog.
- Trespass: Another exception to Arizona’s strict responsibility statute is if the victim was trespassing on private land at the time of the assault.
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Dog Owner Liability Under Negligence Laws
In certain cases, Arizona’s strict responsibility legislation may not protect the victim. For example, the law would not apply if they were hurt but not bitten in a dog attack. It could also not be used to suit someone caring for the dog but not the owner.
Victims of dog bites in Arizona may be entitled to extra compensation under the state’s negligence legislation. A claim under the negligence concept may be filed even if strict responsibility legislation applies.
- Negligence: The victim may file a negligence lawsuit against the dog’s owner if they were at fault for the attack by demonstrating that they didn’t exercise reasonable care in keeping the animal under control.
- Scienter: A dog owner might be held liable for an attack by their pet if they knew or should have known about the dog’s violent inclinations since it is covered under the scienter legal law.
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How Much Is My Dog Bite Case Worth in Arizona?
It is very unusual for dog bite victims to pay large medical expenditures, lose time at work while recovering, and become permanently disabled. The compensation you might get for a dog bite depends on the specifics of your case. Our dog bite attorneys in Flagstaff will consider the following and more:
- Which area of your body was it specifically
- The expense of getting the bite wound treated by a doctor
- Tell us about the time you missed work because of injuries.
- Specifics of the Injured Party’s Injuries
- The severity of the wound
- If the bite caused permanent deformity
- Money spent on future treatment and bills might add up quickly.
- The dog bite caused you a lot of physical and mental suffering.
- The potential psychological damage from a dog attack necessitates treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Arizona’s Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite
To avoid losing your right to sue for damages after a dog attack or bite, you must act quickly in Arizona because of the state’s strict statute of limitations. Depending on the kind of claim you want to file, you have one of two possible deadlines to adhere to.
If a dog in our state bit you, you would have one year from the bite date to file a claim for damages. To file a negligence claim, you have two years from the date of the assault.
If you were bitten by a dog and want to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner, you should do it as quickly as possible and hire an experienced personal injury attorney.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Flagstaff
Victims of dog attacks can suffer serious physical and psychological injuries. Working with an experienced attorney is an important aspect of healing. We will take care of the legal matters on your behalf while you concentrate on getting well.
Contact us to schedule a no-cost consultation. Our fee is contingent on your receiving compensation, and you owe us nothing unless we win your case.
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