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Despite being known as man’s best friend, dog attacks can happen at any time and cause significant and lasting injury. If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, contact Animal Control and seek medical attention immediately. After you have assessed your situation, it is important to contact an experienced dog bite lawyer in Phoenix to aid in the investigation and documentation of your injury.
Here at Hastings and Hastings, we understand how painful a dog bite injury can be. Not only are you physically injured, but you will also be dealing with the emotional damage caused by the event. If you have been bit or attacked by a dog, call Hastings and Hastings today. We will fight hard to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve!
In most cases, it is the owner of the dog who is responsible for compensating you. In Arizona, a dog bite is typically a strict liability situation. This means that the dog owner, with a few exceptions, is always liable for the damage their dog causes. The liability of the dog owner is usually paid through their renters or homeowners insurance.
It is important to understand that in the state of Arizona, there is a statute of limitations for dog bite cases. In most situations, you only have one year before that statute runs out, which is only half the time of a typical injury claim’s statute of limitations. This means that you must document your injury as completely and thoroughly as possible before one year’s time from the date of the dog bite. This makes selecting an attorney essential, as you need to have someone who is familiar with dog-bite situations and how to document what may be a permanent injury as a result of someone else’s dog.
At Hastings & Hastings, you will meet with a licensed dog bite attorney, not a paralegal or “intake coordinator,” thus providing you with someone who completely understands your situation and can best pursue your legal remedies.
Contact our Phoenix dog bite lawyers at 480-706-1100 as soon as possible.
There are many different situations that could result in dog bite injuries. Below are a few of the most common situations. If you find yourself in one of them, it is important to seek legal help quickly.
Many dog bites happen when the owner fails to leash aggressive pets. When a dog is not properly socialized, they can be aggressive, especially to strangers. Lots of people at dog parks have been attacked because the owner of the animal has failed to train them. Some areas have leash laws that require dogs to be on the leash at all times, even at dog parks.
If a dog is not secured properly they can get out and potentially harm someone. It is the dog owner’s responsibility to make sure their pet is safely secured at all times. This is even more important if the dog has been known to be aggressive.
When a dog is in a property owner’s yard there should be a fence keeping them in. But if that fence becomes damaged the dog may be able to get out and bite someone. It is always the responsibility of the dog owner to make sure that all fences are free of damage and strong enough to keep their pet inside.
In Arizona, dog bite laws are based on a legal concept known as strict liability. This means that the owner of the dog is held legally responsible for any injuries caused by their dog regardless of whether they knew their dog would bite or attack someone and regardless of whether they attacked in a manner that was negligent.
It does not matter under Arizona Revised Statutes if the dog and the person who is bitten is “on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog.” If the person who the dog bites is lawfully on the premises, the dog owner is responsible.
If you or someone you love is bitten by a dog, schedule a free case review with Hastings and Hastings. We’re here to help.
Many dog bites are absolutely devastating from a physical perspective. We’ve all read and watched the news stories of both children and adults requiring serious medical care because of dog attacks. Yet, dog bites can also cause permanent mental scarring as well. In addition to handling the on-going medical care and mental care, you also have a lot on your plate when it comes to finding and dealing with the dog owner. And what if the dog is considered “at large” (stray or roaming freely and you don’t know who the dog owner is)? What if you know who the owner is and they just refuse to talk to you?
A Phoenix dog bite attorney such as the experienced team at Hastings and Hastings can help you by:
While both homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies do typically cover dog bites up to the amount of coverage taken out by the policyholder, there are a couple of issues to keep in mind. The first is that not all homeowners or renters will necessarily have a policy that covers their dog. Some breeds are specifically excluded or they may not have covered their pet. Another issue is dogs “at large” or dogs that people claim aren’t theirs and that they are just “pet sitting.” Another crucial issue ends up being when the insurance company doesn’t want to fairly compensate you for your injury. Hastings and Hastings can help. Schedule your free consultation now.
A dog bite doesn’t have to turn your life upside down. You can get experienced legal representation on your side. To learn more about dog bites and your potential legal rights, schedule a free case evaluation with the experienced dog bite lawyers of Hastings and Hastings as soon as possible.
At Hastings and Hastings you will always meet with a licensed Arizona dog bite injury attorney for your free initial consultation. Only an experienced, licensed dog bite attorney can give you legal advice to help you navigate your case! This is one way other firms cut corners to increase their bottom line. At Hastings and Hastings, for over 40 years we have been doing things the right way, not the easy way, all at a discount fee! Don’t settle for anything less. Contact The Discount Accident Lawyers® at Hastings and Hastings today.