what kind of lawyer do i need if my dog bit someone in arizona

Full Answer

Should I hire a dog bite lawyer in Arizona?

If you or someone you care for has been bitten by a dog, knowing the dog bite laws in Arizona can help determine your plan of action, and what compensation, if any, you or another victim may be entitled to. This can also help you decide whether or not to retain a dog bite lawyer.

Who pays for a lawsuit after a dog bite?

In many situations, your homeowners' insurance policy will kick in to cover the costs of defending a lawsuit over a dog bite, especially when it occurred on your property. So the insurance carrier should pay your legal costs, and the insurer may even choose a lawyer to defend against the claim.

Are dog owners liable for dog bites?

Under this statutory claim, dog owners are liable to dog bite victims regardless of whether they acted negligently. The statute also provides that anybody responsible for the dog at the time of the incident may share in the liability. There are very limited circumstances in which dog owners can escape liability in a strict liability claim.

How can I defend against a dog bite claim?

You might also be able to defend against the injury claim by showing that the person who was bitten was actually provoking your dog, or that the person was trespassing on your property at the time the bite occurred. Learn more about defense strategies in dog bite cases.

What happens if my dog bites someone in Arizona?

Arizona follows a “strict liability” law for claims regarding dog bites and attacks. This means a dog's owner is liable for any injuries and damages the dog causes, according to A.R.S. § 11-1025.

Can you sue for a dog bite in Arizona?

The simple answer is yes. You can sue for a dog bite injury in Arizona. Arizona has a specific law that covers dog bite cases commonly referred to as the “Dog Bite Statute.” This statute is found in Section 11-1025 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.

Does a dog have to be put down if it bites someone in Arizona?

If you are a dog owner, do not worry about animal control euthanizing your pet if it bit someone in Arizona. This will not happen in most cases.

Can a dog be put down for biting someone?

Euthanasia can be required after a dog bite in California if the dog has rabies, if the dog has bitten at least 2 people, or if the dog has bitten and seriously injured someone, and had been raised to attack people or fight. Unless the dog has rabies, a hearing is required before the dog is euthanized.

How much does it cost to quarantine a dog for 10 days in Arizona?

Other FeesServicesOther FeesAnimal SurrenderAnimals accepted from Graham County residents only. Identification or documents proving residency needed. $40Owner Request for Animal Removal (We Pick Up Surrendered Animals)$45Quarantine$150 First 10 Days and $15 each additional day1 more row•Jul 1, 2018

What can you do if your neighbor's dog attacks your dog?

If your pet is attacked by another dog, call animal control and the police as soon as your pet is safe. You want to call the authorities for several reasons. First, you want to create a record of the events that occurred. This record may be useful when bringing a claim against the dog owner.

Do doctors report dog bites in Arizona?

You may know that doctors are required to report dog bites, but your doctor may decide to skip a step, which is why it is imperative that you have a dog bite attorney to help ensure that all the steps are being taken properly.

How many times can a dog bite before being put down in Arizona?

Arizona is a "Strict Liability" Dog Bite State The "one-bite rule" states that the owner is only liable if the dog has bitten before or the owner knew the dog was aggressive.

What should I do after my dog bites someone?

Attend to the bite victim: Help them wash the wound with warm soap and water thoroughly. Contact medical professionals on their behalf, and call an ambulance if needed. Even if the bite does not look very bad, they should still be seen by a medical professional because bites can turn serious quickly.

What is a Level 4 dog bite?

Level 4: One-four deep punctures from a single bite and lacerations or bruising from the dog holding on or shaking. Level 5: Multiple bite incident with more than 2 Level 4 bites. Level 6: Victim death.

Can you argue that your dog bit someone?

In states that follow a " one bite rule ," you may be able to argue that you did not know (and could not have reasonably been expected to know) that your dog might end up biting someone.

Can a personal injury attorney defend against a dog bite?

You may be wondering how a personal injury attorney might be compensated if you decide to hire one to defend against a dog bite lawsuit. In many situations, your homeowners' insurance policy will kick in to cover the costs of defending a lawsuit over a dog bite, especially when it occurred on your property. So the insurance carrier should pay your ...

Can a personal injury lawyer handle a dog bite?

Most personal injury lawyers should be able to handle a dog bite injury case, and you typically don't need to worry about finding an attorney who specializes in "dog bite defense" cases as opposed to one who handles work on the plaintiff's side.

What is the law in Arizona for dog bites?

Arizona has several statutes that govern dog bites, including A.R.S. 11-1025 on liability for dog bites through 11-1027 on provoking a dog. Arizona is known as a strict liability state when it comes to dog bites, which means that the owner of the dog can be held liable for injuries and damages regardless of the owner’s negligence or knowledge of the attack.

Who is liable for a dog attack?

If someone who is not the owner of the dog is present and caring for the dog at the time of the attack , the caretaker and the owner may be jointly held liable for the victim’s damages.

How many dog bite victims are admitted to emergency rooms each year?

In fact, hundreds of thousands of dog bite victims are admitted to emergency rooms each year. At this point, calling the experience injury attorneys at JacksonWhite can make all the difference in making sure that the victim is compensated for any and all damages. Perhaps more so than most people realize, dog bites can have rather serious ...

What are the costs of a dog bite?

In a dog bite accident, there are medical bills and expenses that can often add up quickly. A dog bite accident claim and provide the victim with compensation for this and more, including: 1 Future medical expenses 2 Pain and suffering 3 Loss of wages due to missing work 4 Counseling, therapy or surgery, if needed 5 Miscellaneous costs of care

What is the definition of provocation in dog bites?

Provocation is defined in A.R.S. 11-1027 as “circumstances [that] would be likely to provoke a dog.”.

How long is the statute of limitations for dog bites?

There are two timelines for statute of limitations for dog bites. The dog bite statutes, A.R.S. 11-1025 through 11-1027, have a one-year statute of limitations from the time of the bite. If a claim is brought to the owner at any time within the one year, the owner may be held immediately liable.

What insurance covers dog bites?

Insurance policies that cover dog bites typically include renter’s insurance, landlord insurance, homeowner insurance or business insurance, if the attack occurred at a place of business.

What happens if a dog bites you in Arizona?

Arizona courts have made it clear that if you are bitten by a dog — even if it’s the first time in which a dog has bitten someone — you are entitled to be compensated for your injuries.

What is the statute of limitations for dog bites in Arizona?

Remember, in Arizona, dog bites have a short statute of limitations. This means you have a smaller window of time to get your claim resolved. Reach out today for a free case consultation with one of Negretti & Associates’ Arizona dog bite lawyers to discuss your options. Call us at (602) 531-3911 in Arizona, contact us online, or send us a text

What is the second defense in dog bite cases?

The second, but rarely used, defense in dog bite cases involves trespassing on someone else’s property. A.R.S. §13-1502 and §13-1504 define trespass as a physical intrusion or entry upon the land or property belonging to someone else wherein, causing damage to the property owner and/or his or her property.

Can you bite a dog in Arizona?

If you’ve experienced a dog bite in Arizona, you know that dog bites can be a very serious matter. If you believe that you have a case, it’s important to understand how your case fits within established dog bite laws in the Grand Canyon State.

What is the one free bite rule?

This is different from many states which follow a “one-free-bite rule,” which protects the owner from being liable for a dog bite unless the injured person can show that the owner should have known about their dog’s violent tendencies (for example, if the dog had previously bitten someone and the owner knew about it).

Is Arizona a dog bite state?

Arizona is one of a handful of states with a strict liability law for dog bite claims. This means that a dog owner is liable for the injuries caused by their dog as long as the injured person can prove that:

What Are Your Options?

If someone’s pet has bitten your body, the most basic course of action is to pursue an insurance claim. After you’ve been bitten, try to remain calm and simply trade insurance information.

Proving a Case With a Dog Bite Lawyer

There are varying degrees of difficulty in proving liability for a dog bite. Your lawyer will know all local laws pertaining to pets in the area you were bitten.

Defenses You Might Face

The owner of a dog that bit a person will probably hire an attorney to defend them against your accusations. Here are the most common defenses used:

Seek Justice and Compensation

Being bitten by a pet is never a fun experience. Make sure you seek the justice and compensation owed to you.

What is the law in Arizona for dog bites?

Arizona imposes strict liability on dog owners for dog bites, meaning dog owners must pay for any damage resulting from dog bites, regardless of whether the dog owner was negligent or the dog has previously shown any propensity toward biting. Arizona imposes strict liability on dog owners for dog bites, meaning dog owners must pay ...

How long do you have to quarantine a dog after biting?

Both dog owners and dog bite victims have a duty to report dog bites to MCACC. By law, any dog reported for biting must be quarantined for 10 days. If MCACC deems it safe, the dog may be quarantined in the owner's home.

Does Arizona have strict liability for dog bites?

Arizona imposes strict liability on dog owners for dog bites, meaning dog owners must pay for any damage resulting from dog bites, regardless of whether the dog owner was negligent or the dog has previously shown any propensity toward biting.

Can a dog bite be free in Arizona?

Whereas in many states, dogs get "one free bite" before the dog owner is considered to be on notice that the dog bites and therefore can be held liable for damage caused by a dog bite, this is not the case in Arizona. The dog's owner only has a valid defense against a dog bite claim if the dog bite victim provokes the dog.

Can a dog bite victim request quarantine?

The dog bite victim can request that the dog remain quarantined pending the outcome of the vicious dog hearing. After the court hears evidence on the dog's disposition, the court may determine ...