Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in Phoenix Serving All of Arizona
Dog bites are painful. They may also lead to serious physical injuries, as well as psychological trauma. Burg Simpson fights for justice on behalf of dog bite victims. A Phoenix dog bite injury lawyer at our firm can pursue maximum compensation if you or a family member was bitten by a dog in Arizona.
Call 602-777-7000 today for a FREE case evaluation. Our dog bite lawyers serve clients throughout Arizona from our office in Phoenix.
Why Choose Our Dog Bite Lawyers in Phoenix?
- Our attorneys have extensive experience holding dog owners accountable and negotiating settlements with insurance companies.
- We have a 45+-year history of building successful personal injury claims, adjusting our strategy to account for each client’s unique situation.
- Our firm takes cases on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and only have to pay fees if we obtain a fair settlement or win your case at trial.
How Can a Phoenix Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Help?
It is important to have a complete understanding of your rights after a dog bite. Without legal guidance, you may make mistakes that could compromise your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.
Steps a Phoenix dog bite injury lawyer can take on your behalf include:
- Reviewing medical records to understand the nature and extent of your injuries
- Calculating the full value of damages—current and future
- Drafting a demand letter to submit to the insurance company
- Handling all communications and negotiations with the insurer
- Preparing your case and going to trial (if necessary)
Most dog bite claims settle out of court. However, if the owner’s insurance company refuses to compensate you fairly, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Burg Simpson can help with all aspects of this process.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs are often considered man’s best friend. But when they get excited, scared, territorial, or aggressive, they can seriously injure or even kill people. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 300,000 people are taken to the emergency room every year with dog bite-related injuries.
Some of the serious consequences associated with dog attacks include:
- Lacerations, cuts, and tears of the skin
- Puncture wounds
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Bruising
- Soft tissue injuries
- Bone fractures
- Infection
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement of the face, neck, hands, arms, and legs
- Wrongful death
People who are bitten by a dog should seek medical attention immediately. After getting the care you need, it is in your best interest to contact a dog bite attorney as soon as possible. Burg Simpson can review your case for FREE and help you take legal action.
Arizona’s Strict Liability Standard for Dog Bite Claims
In strict liability states, dog owners are liable for damages regardless of whether the owner was aware of the dog’s prior aggressive behavior. States with a one-bite rule, meanwhile, only impose liability if the owner was aware that their dog had bitten people in the past and failed to take necessary precautions.
Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) § 11-1025 establishes strict liability for dog bites. The elements of a strict liability claim are:
- The dog belongs to the defendant.
- Your injuries were caused by the dog in question.
- The attack occurred in public or while you were lawfully on private property—including property belonging to the dog’s owner.
- You sustained compensable damages.
Per ARS 11-1026, a person’s presence on private property is considered lawful if he is “an invitee or guest” or when he is performing “a duty imposed upon him by law of the state or United States, or by ordinances of a municipality in which such property is located.” Such duties may include acting as a postal carrier, delivery person, utility worker, law enforcement officer, etc.
Strict liability does not mean that you automatically receive compensation for a dog bite. The dog owner may try to argue that you were trespassing or provoked the animal into attacking. A Phoenix dog bite injury attorney can help you counter these defenses and establish your right to full compensation.
Proving Negligence for a Dog Bite Injury
Arizona’s strict liability dog bite law only applies to the owner of the dog. Non-owners (such as dog sitters, dog walkers, kennels, etc.) may be held liable if a dog under their control bites you, provided their negligence led to your injuries.
You will need to prove the following to establish negligence:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care.
- An error or omission on the part of the defendant represents a breach of duty.
- Negligence on the part of the defendant caused your injuries.
- Your injuries resulted in compensable losses.
Can Dog Owners Be Held Liable for Negligence?
In the case of Murdock v. Balle, the Arizona Court of Appeals found that dog owners may face both strict liability and common law liability for dog bite injuries. You will need to provide specific evidence of negligence for a common law claim against the owner to succeed.
Potential examples of negligence on the part of the dog’s owner may include:
- Failure to warn of the presence of a dog on the property
- Negligence in controlling the dog
- Ignoring signs of excitement or aggression
- Failure to train or socialize the dog
- Teasing a dog when around other people
Owners may also be liable for negligence if they fail to follow leash laws and other local ordinances. This is known as negligence per se.
For example, Phoenix City Code § 8-14 prohibits dog owners and custodians from letting their animals run at large. It includes rules for securing dogs on private property, controlling dogs with a leash no more than 6 feet long, and more. Under ARS 11-1020, an owner or other responsible person is liable for injuries and damages caused by an at-large dog. This may include not only bites but scratches, injuries from being knocked down, etc.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Dog Bite in Arizona?
There are several different time limits to be aware of when making a dog bite claim. If you wait too long or miss a deadline, you may be barred from compensation or face additional challenges.
Strict liability for dog bites is imposed by statute. Therefore, strict liability claims against a dog owner must be brought within just 1 year (see ARS 12-541).
Negligence actions in Arizona are bound by a 2-year statute of limitations. This gives you additional time to make a claim against a negligent dog owner or other party responsible for the dog bite injury.
If a child is bitten by a dog, they have 1–2 years from the date they turn 18 to make a claim (see ARS 12-502). However, parents would be wise to bring a claim on the child’s behalf much sooner.
You should not wait to speak to an attorney if you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a dog. A Phoenix dog bite injury lawyer at Burg Simpson can help you preserve your rights and take legal action swiftly.
What If a Dog Bites My Child?
Dog attacks are traumatic for anyone, but they are particularly serious when children are involved. Children are often defenseless in the face of an aggressive or vicious dog. This can lead to serious and, worst of all, fatal injuries.
Approximately half of all dog bite victims are children, with some research placing that number even higher. Children aged 1–5 are at the highest risk of pediatric dog bite injuries, with injury to the head and neck occurring in more than 60% of cases.
Children who are attacked by dogs may be seriously injured, left with permanent scars, and suffer significant mental and emotional distress. It is critical for parents to understand the available legal remedies if a dog bites their child. A dog bite lawyer in Phoenix can help with your claim and seek the compensation you and your family deserve.
How Much Compensation Do You Get for a Dog Bite?
Every dog bite case is different. An experienced Phoenix dog bite injury attorney can calculate the value of any and all damages. These may include:
- Current and future medical expenses, including hospitalization and surgery, rehabilitation, and mental health support
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- The loss of enjoyment of life
At Burg Simpson, we gather all available evidence and consult leading experts to show all of the ways the dog attack has affected your life. Our skillful preparation enables us to represent you effectively in settlement negotiations and, if necessary, at trial.
Who Pays for Dog Bite Injuries?
Both homeowners and renters insurance policies generally include coverage for dog bites. If you are bitten by someone’s dog, their insurance is the first place to turn.
People are most likely to be bitten by a familiar dog, such as a pet belonging to a family member, friend, or neighbor. This can make them reluctant to bring a claim against the owner. Fortunately, property insurance will likely protect them from having to pay for your injuries directly.
Unfortunately, insurance companies try to pay as little as possible when faced with a claim. That is why you need a qualified Phoenix dog bite lawyer representing you. Burg Simpson can keep the insurance company from taking advantage of you, negotiating a favorable settlement on your behalf. If an agreement cannot be reached, we will not hesitate to file a lawsuit, prepare for trial, and go to court as needed.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Phoenix
Your physical, emotional, and financial recovery after a dog bite is contingent on the steps you take. If possible, you should do the following after the attack:
- Seek medical attention: Go to the doctor or emergency room without delay. Dogs’ mouths contain bacteria that can lead to serious infections if the bite is not treated in a timely fashion. If the injury was serious, you should call 911 and wait for the paramedics.
- Document the attack: Take pictures of your injuries and the property where the attack occurred. You should also save any damaged or bloody clothing as evidence.
- Gather information: If you know who the dog’s owner is, get their contact information and insurance details. You should also ask about the dog’s vaccination history. If you do not know who owns the dog, try to take pictures and/or make note of its physical characteristics. Witnesses in the vicinity may also be able to help you identify the dog.
- Report the incident: ARS 11-1014 states that “any person having direct knowledge” of a dog bite must report it to the authorities. In and around Phoenix, this would likely be Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) or the local police. The MCACC website provides important information for dog bite victims.
- Contact a Phoenix dog bite injury lawyer: Do not agree to a settlement or accept money from the dog’s owner until you speak with an attorney. Ideally, you will retain a lawyer before you ever talk to the insurance company—this minimizes the risk of mistakes and gets your claim on the right footing from the start.
Phoenix dog bite attorneys at Burg Simpson waste no time preparing your claim. We take steps immediately to secure information about the dog and the owner, as well as the evidence needed to prove that you are entitled to compensation.
In the meantime, you should focus on recovering from your injuries. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and keep detailed records of the treatments you receive, the medications you are prescribed, and any medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses. Also make note of the income you lose from being unable to work, as well as any pain, sleep disturbances, and other negative effects on your day-to-day life.
Can I Sue for a Dog Bite in Arizona?
As a general rule, yes, you can sue for a dog bite. Arizona’s strict liability law gives the majority of dog bite victims legal recourse against the dog’s owner. You may also be able to make a claim on other grounds, such as negligence.
Burg Simpson’s decades of experience handling personal injury claims and in-depth knowledge of Arizona legislation give us the ability to represent dog bite victims with the utmost effectiveness. We combine the strength and resources of a renowned national law firm with the personalized service of a local injury lawyer.
Contact a Phoenix Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today
Explore your legal options with an experienced dog bite lawyer. We provide aggressive advocacy and compassionate support, protecting your rights and interests and holding owners and insurance companies accountable for all injuries and damages.
Call Burg Simpson at 602-777-7000 if you have been bitten by a dog in or around Phoenix. Your initial consultation is FREE, and you only pay if we win.
