Were you or your child injured in a dog attack in Glendale, Arizona? If a negligent dog owner was at fault for the incident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation.
The Glendale dog bite lawyers at AJ Law, PLC can help you pursue legal accountability and financial compensation after the attack. Call (602) 237-5277 for a free consultation.
A dog bite can cause serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and unexpected medical expenses.
Arizona law holds dog owners strictly liable in many cases, meaning you may not have to prove prior aggression to recover damages.
Why Choose AJ Law, PLC to Handle Your Dog Bite Case in Glendale, AZ?
Dog bite claims can be complicated. You may have to seek money from the dog owner’s home or rental insurance company, or identify other avenues for recovering compensation. An experienced Glendale personal injury attorney can help you pursue all the damages you’re entitled to.
Clients in Glendale, AZ, turn to AJ Law, PLC because:
- We have over 20 years of experience exclusively focused on personal injury law in Arizona.
- We have recovered over $50 million for injured individuals and their families through settlements and verdicts.
- Our attorneys have earned some of the most respected honors in the legal profession, including recognition from the National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
- We provide direct access to your attorney and are always in communication about your case.
- We work on contingency and offer free consultations, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Reach out today to speak with an experienced Glendale dog bite attorney. We’re ready to stand up for you.
Overview of Arizona’s Dog Bite Laws
In Arizona, dog owners must properly restrain or control their animals. When owners fail to take reasonable precautions, they may be legally responsible for the injuries their dog causes.
Under Arizona’s strict liability dog bite statute, dog owners can be held liable when their dog bites someone, even if the animal had never shown aggressive behavior before. This means that victims generally do not have to prove that the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
Instead, the owner may face liability if their dog bit an individual (1) who did not provoke the dog and (2) who was lawfully present at the place where the attack occurred.
Dog bite claims may arise in many situations, including attacks that occur:
- On the dog owner’s property
- On public sidewalks or streets
- In parks or recreational areas
- At apartment complexes or residential communities
If you are unsure whether you have a claim, our Glendale dog bite attorney can help you assess your legal options.
What Is My Glendale Dog Bite Case Worth?
Every dog bite case is different. The value of your claim will depend on factors unique to your situation.
However, the following variables can affect the value of your dog bite case:
- Whether the victim was a child
- The severity of the bite wounds and related injuries
- Whether surgery or hospitalization was required
- Whether you have permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Your ability to work after the attack
- The emotional trauma caused by the event
- Available insurance coverage
Dog attacks involving children often lead to the highest-value claims; children are more vulnerable to facial or upper-body bites, as well as severe emotional distress.
The best way to determine the value of your claim is to speak with an experienced Glendale dog bite lawyer who can evaluate the specific circumstances of your case.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in an Arizona Dog Bite Claim?
Dog bite injuries can require extensive medical treatment and may leave lasting physical and emotional harm. Arizona law allows you to pursue compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are intended to compensate you for the financial losses caused by the attack. These may include:
- Medical bills and hospital expenses
- Future medical treatment and surgeries
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Counseling or psychological treatment
Non-economic damages compensate victims for the personal harm they have suffered. These damages may include compensation for:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety or trauma related to the attack
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Dog bite injuries often involve permanent scars, particularly when bites occur on the face, arms, or hands. They can often leave lasting emotional distress, meaning that the non-economic damages in these cases can be especially high.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Glendale Dog Bite Lawyer?
Most personal injury attorneys handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency fee arrangement, you do not pay any upfront costs for legal representation. Instead, your attorney receives a percentage of the compensation recovered for you through a settlement or verdict.
If your attorney does not recover money for your case, you typically will not owe attorney’s fees. This arrangement allows injury victims to pursue justice without worrying about the financial burden of legal representation. Our law firm offers contingency fees in all dog bite cases.
What If I Was Partly at Fault for My Dog Bite Incident in Arizona?
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under this system, you may still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the incident.
However, your recovery will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found to be 20% responsible for the incident, your recovery would be reduced by 20%, leaving you with $80,000 in compensation.
Insurance companies frequently attempt to argue that a victim provoked the dog or unlawfully entered an area where the dog was confined. However, not every claim of shared fault is legitimate.
An experienced Glendale dog bite attorney can evaluate the circumstances of your case and challenge any unfair attempts to shift blame onto you.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Your Dog Bite Injuries in Glendale
Dog attacks vary widely in severity. Some involve a single bite, while others escalate into serious attacks that cause major trauma.
Our firm regularly represents individuals who have suffered injuries such as:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Facial lacerations
- Injuries to the hands and arms
- Nerve damage
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Serious infections such as cellulitis or MRSA
- Emotional trauma
- Wrongful death
Dog bites often carry a high risk of infection because of bacteria in a dog’s mouth. Victims may require antibiotics, wound care, or additional medical treatment to prevent complications.
Our legal team works closely with medical providers and experts to ensure that the full extent of your injuries is documented and included in your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Arizona?
Arizona law places time limits on your ability to file a dog bite claim. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the dog attack to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
If you fail to file your claim within the two-year statute of limitations, you may lose your ability to pursue compensation through the courts. However, if the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations may be paused until the child reaches 18.
It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a dog attack to identify the deadlines and avoid missing the statute of limitations. Early legal action helps protect your rights throughout your claim.
How Can an Attorney Help With My Dog Bite Case?
While Arizona’s dog bite laws offer strong protections for victims, insurance companies may still make it difficult to recover full compensation. An experienced personal injury attorney can help level the playing field and ensure your claim receives the resolution it deserves.
A lawyer may assist with your case by:
- Explaining how Arizona’s strict liability dog bite law applies to your situation
- Investigating the dog’s history, including prior bites or complaints
- Determining whether any legal defenses, such as provocation, are valid
- Gathering medical records, photographs, and witness statements
- Consulting with medical experts to document the long-term impact of your injuries
- Calculating the full value of your damages
- Handling all communications with insurance companies
- Negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and representing you in court if necessary
Insurance companies often try to settle cases quickly before victims fully understand the extent of their injuries. Having an experienced attorney can help ensure that you do not accept less compensation than you deserve.
Call for a Free Consultation With a Glendale Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog attack can leave lasting physical and emotional scars. You should not have to shoulder the financial burden of someone else’s failure to control their animal.
The Glendale dog bite lawyers at AJ Law, PLC are committed to helping you pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Glendale dog bite lawyer.
