Dog bites can cause painful and damaging physical injuries. Nevertheless, the damage from a dog attack many times goes much farther the physical wounds of the victim.

When you’re a victim of a dog attack in Arizona, it is vital to be familiar the state’s dog bite laws to understand what rights you have. If the dog’s owner may be held accountable for the physical and psychological injuries you suffered from, you might be entitled to be compensated for your medical costs, as well as any lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other out of pocket costs.

The Bradshaw Firm’s Arizona dog bite attorneys will provide you with a no obligation consultation to examine your claim and establish if you do have a case. Our work on a conditional fee basis, meaning you only pay us if we acquire compensation for you.

Dog Bite Liability Laws in Arizona

Arizona has a “strict liability” law for claims concerning dog bites and attacks. Meaning a dog’s owner is accountable for the injuries and damages caused by the dog, according to A.R.S. § 11-1025.

The owner of the dog doesn’t need to have knowledge of the attack, and the victim isn’t required to prove the attack was caused negligence. For victims to hold dog owners liable for their injuries, the victim needs to simply show that a dog bite caused their injury.

The victim may hold the owner of the dog accountable if they were attacked in a public setting or while on private property, making sure the victim was a lawful guest or was invited, according to A.R.S. § 11-1026.

Not like a lot of states, Arizona doesn’t follow the “one free bite” policy, wherein the owner might not be held liable for damages the 1st time that their dog bites someone. Meaning a dog owner may be liable for a dog bite regardless if the dog has bitten someone already.

When is the Dog’s Owner Not Responsible for Damages?

Even though Arizona utilizes “strict liability” in a lot of dog bite cases, there can be some exceptions wherein a dog’s owner may not be liable for a dog bite injury.

The only defense dog owners can counter against liability for a dog bite is when it’s is proven that the victim deliberately provoked the dog.

Under A.R.S. § 11-1027, a dog owner can avoid liability in dog bite claims if a reasonable individual would think the victim’s actions undeniably provoked the dog to attack, and that the dog wouldn’t have bitten the individual otherwise.

In cases where an attacking dog is under the control and care of an individual that isn’t the owner when the incident happens, then both the caretaker of the dog and the dog’s owner may be held conjointly liable for the injury of the victim.

Time Restrictions for Filing a Dog Bite Claim

If you’re the victim of a dog bite, it is an Arizona law requirement for you to take legal action against the dog’s owner inside of one year of the attack.

This is commonly known as the statute of limitations. When or if you wait any longer than the one year statute to file your claim, it will potentially be dismissed and you will lose your right to seek compensation from the dog’s owner.

Because of this, anyone who is seeking compensation for a dog bite that happened in Arizona needs be aware of Arizona’s one-year statute of limitations and proceed accordingly.

You should always be wary about any dog that is not yours. If you or someone you love has been attacked/bitten by a dog, you need to act quickly and learn your rights to recover compensation because of your injury.

At The Bradshaw Firm, our lawyers are well-educated in the laws that apply to claims of a dog bite. We can guide you throughout the process and answer any questions you might have.

Dog Bite Settlements In Mesa, Arizona

If you or someone you know were bit by a dog in Mesa, Arizona, or surrounding cities, contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at The Bradshaw Firm today. The Bradshaw Firm’s dog bite attorneys have years of experience with dog bite laws and success with winning dog bite cases in Mesa.

If you or someone you love was bit by a dog, is important that you contact us right away so your rights are protected and preserved. Make sure you do not give any statements to the other party or the insurance company to avoid prejudice of your case. Contact us today at 480.835.5553 to schedule a case review and consultation.