Glendale Dog Bite Injury Attorney

If you have been injured as a result of an animal attack in Glendale or throughout the state of Arizona, you may be entitled to compensation from the animal’s owner, a company, a landlord, or another responsible party. Dog bites and other animal attacks can be extremely dangerous, causing serious injury that could result in permanent disfigurement, chronic pain, loss of use of a limb, mental anguish, and more.

The funds you receive can help cover medical expenses and lost income. A skilled dog bite attorney can guide you through the process of obtaining the full compensation you deserve. At Klink Law, we offer experienced counsel and guidance through animal attack injury cases, including dog bites and more. We recognize that injury victims need experienced counsel to protect their rights and receive the compensation they deserve. With our extensive experience, proven track record, and financial resources, we are prepared to take on the insurance company on your behalf.

To discuss your dog bite injury case, reach out to Klink Law by calling (602) 483-6059 today.

Understanding Arizona Dog Bite Laws

When it comes to dog bite laws in Arizona, the state follows a strict liability statute (A.R.S. § 11-1025). This means that dog owners are automatically liable for injuries caused by their dog if the attack occurred while the victim was lawfully on public or private property. Unlike other personal injury cases, the victim does not have to prove negligence or that the dog had bitten anyone before.

However, there are exceptions. A dog owner may not be held liable if the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing at the time of the bite. In cases where a dog is declared “vicious,” additional civil or criminal penalties may apply to the owner if proper precautions were not taken.

Because Arizona’s dog bite laws can be complex, working with a Glendale dog bite attorney can ensure your claim is filed correctly, evidence is preserved, and your rights are fully protected.

Establishing Negligence in Dog Bite Cases in Arizona

Dog bites and animal attack injuries fall under premises liability claims. This doctrine essentially states that property owners have a duty to protect and care for visitors to their property and prevent them from becoming injured however they can. Failing to do this can result from negligence, or disregard for the safety of others—either willfully or by accident—in a way where any reasonable person should have been able to recognize the danger.

It is crucial to gather evidence immediately after the injury occurs. This includes taking photographs of the injuries, the location, and the animal, if possible. Witness statements and any available video footage can reinforce the claim by establishing the circumstances surrounding the attack. Moreover, obtaining medical records that document the extent of the injuries is vital. These records might include initial treatment notes, follow-up visits, and opinions on potential long-term impacts.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in Arizona?

In simple cases, if a homeowner has a dog in their yard and someone were to walk up to the fence to pet the dog, the homeowner or dog owner would likely be held responsible if the dog were to bite the person who attempted to pet them. If the dog were to escape and chase that person down the street, causing them to trip and become injured, the dog owner could still be held liable due to their negligence in allowing the animal to escape. 

However, attack victims do not have to prove negligence in order to pursue a claim, but there are two exceptions to the state’s strict liability law:

• Provocation: If the animal in question was provoked by the victim, the owner may not be held liable for compensation.
• Trespassing: If the injured victim was bitten while trespassing on private property at the time of the attack, the owner would not be held liable.

In the majority of cases, the animal’s owner is the party held responsible for the injury. However, this is not always the case. For example, if a dog was left at a boarding facility while its owner was away and the dog was to escape the facility and attack someone, the facility would be responsible for the attack, as they were the party in control of and responsible for the dog at the time.

Under Arizona law, anyone who had care, custody, or control of the dog at the time of the bite may also be held accountable.

This may include:

• Dog sitters, walkers, or caretakers can be liable if the attack happened while the dog was under their supervision.
• Landlords or property managers may be held responsible if a tenant’s dangerous dog attacked someone due to their failure to maintain fencing or safety measures.
• Businesses or kennels that control dogs on behalf of owners could also face liability if negligence played a role in the attack.

Another example would be a dog escaping from its fenced yard at an apartment complex and biting or attacking someone passing by. In this instance, the apartment complex owner or property manager could be held liable, as they are the party responsible for the dilapidated condition of the fence that allowed the dog to escape. This is especially true if the tenant of that particular unit had previously notified the property manager of the fence issue, giving them an opportunity to fix it.

A Glendale dog bite lawyer can investigate all potential sources of liability to ensure you recover the maximum compensation available from every responsible party.

Establishing Liability

According to Arizona law, the compensation you receive for dog bite damages depends on your ability to establish the owner’s liability. This means demonstrating that the owner knew or should have known that the dog had the potential to bite someone. In order to prove a dog owner’s negligence in an attack, the following elements must be shown:

• The dog was in the defendant’s possession or under their control at the time of the bite. This may or may not be the dog’s owner, depending on various factors.
• The defendant acted negligently. Holding a dog owner accountable for a bite requires showing that they were aware of the potential for the dog to bite but failed to take preventive measures. Negligence can be demonstrated by instances such as not using a leash, failing to properly restrain the animal, or neglecting to repair a hole in the fence.
• The defendant’s negligence directly caused the dog bite. It is also necessary to prove that the injury would not have occurred if the defendant had acted with reasonable care.
• The bite directly led to injuries or other damages. This includes physical discomfort, suffering, medical expenses, loss of income, and potentially emotional or psychological trauma, which are commonly associated with dog attacks.