Phoenix Dog Bite Attorney
To seek recovery for damages from animal bites, contact Cruz & Associates. We have offices in Phoenix and are here to help victims of animal bites and attacks, no matter where you are in Arizona. We can help you understand the law and exercise your rights as an injured victim.
Animals are unpredictable. It is up to animal owners to keep them contained, secure, and in control at all times. This can include measures such as leashes or fences. If an animal owner fails to control a dog or other animal, and the animal attacks and injures someone, the injured person could sue for negligence. In Arizona, owners don’t have to be negligent to be liable for animal bites.
Animal bites can be painful and traumatic experiences, resulting in medical costs and painful treatments. Serious animal attacks can be permanently disfiguring, resulting in additional emotional trauma.
State-Specific Animal Bite Laws
Whether you can file a claim against a pet owner for animal bites depends on your state’s statutes and the circumstances of the attack. Each state has its own dog bite statutes that victims must follow to be eligible for compensation. When you work with one of our attorneys, he or she can navigate the law on your behalf. Here are the basic dog bite laws in Arizona:
- Arizona has a “strict liability” dog bite statute, meaning pet owners must pay for the bite victim’s damages, regardless of whether the owner was negligent in controlling the animal and regardless of whether the owner knew of the animal’s propensity for viciousness. A victim does not have to prove negligence to recover financial compensation for damages. All the victim must show is that an animal bite caused the injury and that the incident occurred while he/she was lawfully on private or public property.
- In Arizona, a claimant could lose his or her case if the pet owner can show the victim provoked the animal in some manner, such as harming or bothering the animal. The same is true if the defendant proves the victim was trespassing on private property at the time of the bite.
- The statute of limitations gives claimants two years from the date of the animal bite to file a claim against the owner and/or other party. Failing to meet this deadline could result in loss of your right to compensation.
Why Call an Attorney After an Animal Bite?
Animal bites can result in deep puncture wounds, lacerations, bruising, broken bones, soft tissue damage, scarring, and permanent disfigurement. Dog and other animal attacks can also be psychologically traumatic, resulting in harms such as post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, nightmares, or anxiety.
The Arizona courts give animal bite victims the opportunity to receive damages for their medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. An attorney can help you fight for fair compensation after an animal bite. In addition, a person injury lawsuit can prevent the animal from hurting someone else in the future. Contact us to start with your free case evaluation.