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People own dogs for a variety of reasons. Dogs can provide companionship, protect an owner’s property, or assist with hunting. However, as with any other piece of property, a dog owner has a duty to prevent that animal from causing harm to other people. Even so, the mere fact that an animal causes an injury is not enough to prevail in a dog bite case. The laws in Mesa require a plaintiff to show that the attack occurred in public or that they had permission to be on the owner’s property.
If you were attacked by an unruly canine, a Mesa dog bite lawyer may be able to help you pursue monetary damages. A seasoned personal injury attorney could explain the state’s laws concerning dog bites and apply those laws to the facts of your case. They could also help measure your losses and demand comprehensive compensation from at-fault pet owners.
State Law Creates Strict Liability for Dog Bites
State law benefits the victims of dog bites in that it holds the owners of these animals strictly liable for attacks in most situations. According to A.R.S. § 11-1025 the owner of an animal is presumptively to blame for a bite that occurs in public or to an invited guest on their property.
However, defendants also have a way to fight back against this presumption. A.R.S. § 11-1027 allows owners to argue that the animal was merely defending its territory against a trespasser or that the victim was taunting the animal in the moments leading up to the bite. If a jury believes this argument, it may lessen or negate a demand for compensation.
A skilled Mesa dog bite attorney could investigate the circumstances of the attack and fight back against allegations of shared fault.
Obtaining Fair Compensation for the Victims of Dog Attacks
Dog bites can result in harsh injuries that affect every portion of a person’s life. The most obvious and visible consequences of attacks are physical injuries that can include puncture wounds, torn muscles, broken bones, or infections. A dog’s owner who is liable for an attack is responsible for providing compensation for all resulting physical harm.
However, dog bites may also affect a victim’s mental health. These attacks can be traumatic events. It is not unusual for people to endure flashbacks, nightmares, or PTSD after a bite. If a plaintiff can connect their emotional traumas to the incident, the owner is liable to pay for all lost quality of life.
Finally, an attack could also force a person to miss time at work. If this is the case, a defendant is liable to provide reimbursement for all lost wages due to time spent making a recovery or payments for any permanent injury.
A diligent dog attack lawyer in Mesa could help measure the full-extent of a plaintiff’s losses and demand proper compensation through a civil claim. They could also ensure that a demand for damages meets the statute of limitations. Arizona’s deadline ranges from one to two years to pursue a dog bite claim, depending on the cause of action. A proactive legal professional could work to gather the necessary evidence to make a claim within the time limit that applies to your case.
Contact a Mesa Dog Bite Attorney Immediately
Dog bites can result in substantial injuries that affect every part of your life. In addition to the possible physical injuries, many victims find that they lose out on income from being left unable to work and suffer severe emotional trauma. A dog owner who is liable following an attack must provide compensation for all these losses.
However, proving liability in a dog bite case can be difficult. While state law presumes a dog owner to be liable after an attack that occurs in public or to an invited guest, owners may argue that a victim taunted the animal or was trespassing at the time of the bite.
A Mesa dog bite lawyer is prepared to help you fight back against these claims. However, there is a limited time to demand payment—so, contact an experienced attorney now to get started.
