If you ever happened to be the victim of a dog bite, you might be overwhelmed with emotions of panic, desperation and helplessness.
Likely you’ll end up in the hospital with heaping piles of medical bills to heal the wound and prevent infection—especially by attacks by dogs with vicious propensities such as pit bulls and other larger attack dogs.
The laws for personal injuries the product of dog bites, thankfully, allows victims to report the dog bite to the authorities and file a lawsuit to receive compensation for their injuries and deter future dog attacks.
As a dog-owner or victim, you should be aware of the rules and regulations pertaining to how dog-owners must behave around passersby to prevent their dogs from becoming a danger to others.
Look below further, and discover Arizona’s dog-bite claims process, strategies employed, and how hiring a skilled Arizona dog-bite specialist can work in your favor to defend or prosecute a dog-bite claim.
General Rules in Phoenix, Arizona For Resolving Dog-Bite Lawsuits
According to Arizona common law principles Phillips Law Group law blog, Arizona is different from other states in its adoption of a strict liability rule.
Through the common law concept of a “strict liability claim is as follows: No matter how much care the dog owner exercised (or did not exercise) the court will hold the owner liable for the injury caused to the victim.
The two rules that courts apply in other states are the “one-free bite rule” and the common law rule of negligence.
Hiring a skilled knowledgeable Arizona dog-bite personal injury lawyer will help prosecute or defend your case.
According to Arizona dog-bite personal injury specialist Kenneth M. Phillips, the law favors pedestrians who are bitten by using the concept of strict liability. In other words, a dog owner that allows:
- the dog to injure the passerby by the dog’s biting him or her.
- and this will create liability by default so long as the passerby was lawfully in a private place or private property of the dog owner, or in a public place. Arizona Statutes Section 767.10 (1)(a); Restatement (Second) of Torts §402A (American Law Institute 1965)
Given Arizona’s unique approach to resolving dog-bites cases, it’s imperative to consult and hire a skilled Arizona dog-bite law firm who can seek compensation from insurance companies and homeowner insurance policies for dog-bite injuries with varying levels of viciousness, including wrongful death, or can defend for claims without any proof.
Kinds of Damages Awarded Under Arizona’s Dog-Bite Statutes, Or Defending Against Trespasser Claims
According to Phoenix firm Lamber Goodnow Injury Lawyers blog, common defenses a dog-owner can use in defending against a dog attack lawsuit include the victim’s provocation.
What this means is that no matter the vicious propensity of the dog that attacked the victim, so long as the victim provoked the dog, the dog-owner is off the hook for liability. A.R.S. § 11-1025 A.R.S. § 11-1027.
Yet, through the common law doctrine of comparative fault, a versatile and savvy Arizona dog-bite attorney can argue for the court to award some damages even if no reasonable person would have acted in the manner that the victim did, and was even greater than 90% at fault for the injuries.
As the owner or bite-victim—a well-trained and experienced AZ dog-bite super lawyer can determine whether you case is valuable through usually a free case evaluation and initial free consultation.
Phoenix, Arizona Dog-Bite Suits and Dog-Bite Legal Issues And The One-Year Statute of Limitations
According to Scottsdale-based dog-bite specialist firm Shapiro Law Team, time considerations determine what is the latest possible date for filing a dog attack claim in court.
Under Arizona Phillips Law Group dog-bite blog, the statute of limitations, that can be understood as a “time-limit,” is only one year.
Afterward, unless your Arizona dog-bite attorney discovers a new exception—it is simply too late to file and you will not be able to recover any amount, regardless of how severe the injury is, or how young the injured person is. A.R.S. 12-541.
According to Maricopa County’s Animal Care and Control’s safety measures for dog-bite prevention, “victim’s rights” relate to passersby who are bitten by a dog which has dangerous propensities.
Importantly, consulting a skilled Arizona dog-bite law firm could put you in the best position to recover and give your emergency information needed to properly lay the foundation of a case for maximum recovery under an insurance policy.
Legal Advice: The Value Of A Phoenix Arizona Dog-Bite Firm’s Counsel
Affordability of a lawyer often is an obstacle to obtaining a fair settlement or verdict. But contrary to popular belief having an Arizona dog-bite lawyer at your side is well worth the expense.
Often a super lawyer, who is trained at the best law school, such a dog-bite lawyer will have a strong familiarity with the handling of your lawsuit, unlike a novice lawyer.
With average fees between $120 to $384 per hour, per Clio.com’s 2021 statistics,
Arizona dog-bite lawyers stand apart from other professional service providers, given the high value they add to the case brought to their attention.
Given the flux of case precedents affecting dog bite cases, including premise liability, contract law, tort law, local government law and criminal law—you’re best bet is to find a competent Arizona dog-bite law firm who will use all of its resources toward your representation and may not even ask for money to be paid up front.
Wisdom Of Hiring A Skilled Phoenix, Arizona Dog-Bite Super Lawyer
Both victim, the loved ones, and the accused violator will benefit greatly from having a dog-bite lawyer on their side, who will not hesitate to provide exceptional legal representation on command.
Many top-rated law car accident firms and super lawyers specialize in this niche practice area, including Phoenix-based dog-related attack specialist Hirsch Lyon Accident Law and Phoenix-based Torgenson Law Arizona Injury Lawyers, among others in the surrounding areas, offer legal aid and legal services that include an initial free consultation, typically including an initial disclaimer, helping you pursue the best course of action during a time of uncertainty and melancholy.
To avoid exaggerations of recoveries on dog-bite claims, and unfair denials, it helps to keep meticulous records of all medical bills and expenses related to the lawsuit. This prevents claim denial and lawsuit dismissals, and also prevents owners from shirking their responsibility either for when liability is clear-cut.
Forming an Attorney-Client Relationship: Consult Phoenix Dog-Bite Injury Specialist Today for a Case Evaluation to Better Prevail in Your Dog-Bite Claim
The attorney-client relationship forms upon consultation when you consider hiring the attorney. Once formed, this relationship helps prepare the client to bring a winning case to receive compensation where there is clearly established liability and avoid liability for claims that have no support in fact or law and are mere conjecture and conspiracy.
With directories spanning the entire state of Arizona, Lawsuit.org, beyond your local bar association, or public law school library, or state bar office, offers premier tool helping you pinpoint the right firm.
Don’t hesitate to ask for a free consultation, case valuations and legal advice so regardless of your status as owner or victim, you receive the justice you need.