Dog Bite Injuries In Glendale, AZ
If you have been injured by a dog bite in Glendale or Phoenix, Arizona, you may have the opportunity to seek compensation from the dog’s owner, a company, or even a landlord. The funds you receive can help cover medical expenses and lost income. A skilled attorney specializing in dog bite cases can guide you through the process of obtaining the full compensation you deserve. To discuss your dog bite injury case, reach out to Klink Law. With our extensive experience, proven track record, and financial resources, we are prepared to take on the insurance company on your behalf.
Case Illustration of a Dog Bite in Glendale
Scott was starting his day as he always had for the last six months: with a jog down W Glendale Ave. He was running on the sidewalk, taking in the views, when he felt a sharp pain in his calf. A dog owner was walking their dog without a leash, and it was triggered by the keychain that was dangling from Scott’s pocket.
And since Scott was running with his earbuds in, he didn’t hear the owner call out to their dog.
While the bite doesn’t seem too bad, he has puncture wounds and goes home. The next morning, he’s sore, and in three days, he has night sweats. Scott finds out that his leg is infected. He will need to have the wound drained and pay for medication. He was also told to stay off of his feet for a week, which is hard for a construction worker.
A Glendale dog bite lawyer is Scott’s best bet to seek damages for:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Medication
- Scarring
Scott is one of the 4.5 million people bitten by dogs in the U.S. each year. While a nip may not break the skin or cause any lasting damage, over 800,000 of these incidents end up with someone needing medical attention.
If you find yourself in this situation, you can seek damages for your medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional injuries and more.
Schedule your free consultation with us today.
How To Prove Your Dog Bite Case In Arizona
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 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. To establish liability, it is necessary to first demonstrate that the individual against whom you are bringing a claim is indeed the owner of the animal at the time of the incident. This may or may not be the dog’s owner, depending on various factors.
- The defendant acted irresponsibly. 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. In other words, if the owner had taken the actions that a prudent and reasonable person would have taken in the same circumstances, the bite would not have happened.
- You were the victim of a crime. Lastly, substantial evidence of harm resulting from the dog attack is required. This includes physical discomfort, suffering, medical expenses, loss of income, and potentially emotional or psychological trauma, which are commonly associated with dog attacks.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries, from breaking the skin to soft tissue injuries, shearing, torn tissues, crushed bones and even death in the most serious of cases.
If you’re lucky, the bite will be minor and may not break the skin or cause any damage.
For others, bites often lead to:
- Puncture wounds
- Infections
- Crushing injuries
- Tissue damage
Falls from the attack can cause broken bones, head injuries and others. Attacks can also lead to serious medical issues, such as:
- Sepsis
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Pasteurella
If puncture wounds are severe and the dog won’t let go, it can lead to skin tears that require skin grafting and surgery to correct. Loss of mobility has also occurred in serious attacks.
As your Glendale dog bite lawyer, we know that the injuries that you sustained are not only physical – they’re also emotional. Many victims are left with PTSD and severe anxiety. Nightmares and flashbacks are also a very real concern and something that, if it impacts you, may be calculated within your compensation, too.
Who Pays for Dog Bite Injuries in Arizona?
Arizona has a strict liability law for dog bites, meaning that dog owners can be held liable to compensate bite victims even if their pet has never bitten anyone.
However, in order for this law to apply, the dog must have bitten the victim while on public property or while lawfully on private property.
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 dog was provoked by the victim, the owner may not be held liable for compensation.
- Trespassing. If the injured victim were bitten while trespassing on private property at the time of the attack, the owner would not be held liable.
Preventing Dog Attacks in Maricopa County
Any dog – even the most docile and sweetest of dogs – can bite under the right conditions. Prevention is the key to avoiding bites and injuries.
There are several things you can do to help prevent a dog attack:
- Always be cautious around strange dogs, or avoid them if possible
- Never leave a small child or baby alone with a dog
- Don’t run past a dog
- Never reach through a fence to pet a dog
- If a dog approaches and sniffs you, stay still
- Never disturb a dog who is nursing, sleeping or eating
If you are threatened by a dog, remain calm. Do not yell. Do not turn and run. Avoid eye contact. Speak calmly and firmly.
Sometimes, you can do everything in your power to prevent an attack and it happens anyway.
When this occurs, your next step should be to seek medical attention and call a Glendale dog bite lawyer to start building your claim.
How To Choose the Best Dog Bite Lawyer for My Claim
Dog bite injury claims may seem simple and straightforward, but they can quickly become complicated when owners try to deny ownership of the animal or insurance companies make lowball settlement offers.
An experienced lawyer can help ensure that responsible parties are held accountable, your rights are protected, and you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Look for a lawyer with:
- Experience handling dog bite injury cases.
- The time to give your case the attention it deserves.
- A positive reputation and a track record of success.
Don’t overlook the importance of finding a lawyer you can trust – someone you feel comfortable with.
The right lawyer will help you understand your options and be truly committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
How Our Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help
You may think that just because you know an animal that it won’t bite you. But statistics prove that nearly 2/3 of all people bitten by a dog actually knew the dog. Just because a dog bites you does not mean it is a bad dog. Some animals have a bad moment and react in unforeseen ways. Regardless of whether or not you knew the dog that has bitten you, it is crucial that you seek medical treatment and consult an attorney as soon as possible to make sure you obtain fair compensation for your injury.
With the help of an experienced attorney, you can focus on your recovery and healing process while the legalities of the case are handled for you. In Arizona dog owners and caretakers are strictly liable for all injuries caused by a dog bite. This means that the person responsible for the dog that bit you is held liable for the injury that you sustained regardless of whether the person responsible for the dog was negligent. Therefore, you may recover medical bills that you incurred as a result of the dog bite as well as other financial obligations, such as paying you for lost wages and other miscellaneous costs related to the injury.
Dog bite cases are unique because under strict liability your claim must be filed within 1-year of the bite. This is a shorter statute of limitations than a negligence case. Although you can still pursue a negligence case for a dog bite injury it is preferable to file your claim within 1 year so that you can avail yourself to all possible legal theories of recovery including strict liability against the dog’s owner or caretaker.
Depending on the injury you sustained from an animal bite or animal attack, your medical bills could easily reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, especially if you have to go under the knife and have reconstructive surgery. The healing process can oftentimes take months. It is during this time that you will want to rest and relax at ease knowing you are making as full of a recovery as possible. Contact Attorney David Klink today and you can take comfort in knowing all possible compensation will be recovered for your dog bite injury claim.
Contact Our Glendale Dog Bite Attorney Today
In cases involving dog bites or attacks, pet owners often exhibit uncooperative behavior. They may dispute ownership and responsibility for the incident, attempt to shift blame onto the victim, or even try to evade responsibility by fleeing town. Many pet owners fear that legal action will result in the euthanization of their beloved pets. However, in reality, most dog bite claims are settled before going to trial through pre-trial settlement discussions. These settlements typically involve the pet owner fulfilling their legal obligation to compensate the victim for damages.
It is important not to negotiate a dog bite claim on your own. The pet owner’s insurance company may reject your claim or offer you an amount far below what you are entitled to. The owner may also try to undermine their responsibility by claiming that you provoked the attack. Instead of accepting a low-ball settlement for significant or irreversible injuries, it is advisable to consult with a skilled dog bite attorney in Glendale. At Klink Law, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and will provide a thorough evaluation of your case at no charge or obligation. Contact our office today for a complimentary consultation and to learn more about how we can assist you.
