Dog bites and other animal attacks can be both physically and mentally damaging to victims. Victims are often small children. According to Arizona law, when a person is injured by a dog bite, the owner or person responsible for the dog at the time of the attack may be legally required to pay the victim’s damages.
In order to receive compensation for your injuries after a dog bite or other animal attack, you must be able to prove that the owner of the animal failed to protect the public from harm caused by the animal. Once this has been established, the amount of damages you have suffered must be determined so that you can be justly compensated. The liability for damages to the victim in a dog bite or attack case will usually, but not always, be covered by the owner of the animal’s homeowners’ insurance policy. Our personal injury lawyers may make the responsible party’s homeowners’ insurance compensate the victim for his or her injuries.
Some states have a dog bite law, called the one-free-bite law, which does not hold the dog owner liable for damages caused the first time a dog injures someone. However, Arizona is not a one-free-bite state. Arizona Revised Statutes Sections 11-1020 and 11-1025.A state that, in addition to the dog owner, any person who was responsible for the dog at the time of the attack is liable for the victim’s damages.
There are a few exceptions to this law. For instance, if the victim provoked the attack, or if the dog is being used for military or police work and the attack occurred while the dog was defending itself against provocation or carrying out its duties.
CONTACT OUR DOG BITE LAWYERS
At the Johnson & Gregory, PLLC, we understand that individuals suffering a personal injury from a dog bite may suffer from a variety of serious injuries such as broken bones, serious wounds, and even infection and disease. Using our commitment of service, compassion, experience and integrity, our attorneys will protect your legal rights and help to get you the resources you need to continue living your life.
If you live in Phoenix, Mesa, or anywhere in Arizona, and have need of a personal injury lawyer, contact the Johnson & Gregory, PLLC. Our lawyers will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve.