Dog Bites
Dogs are some of the most loveable animals that walk among us – they are in fact a man’s best friend. But, no matter how innocent the dog might be, often times the dog owners are the problem. Without adequate training, restraint, and confinement, dogs can become agitated and get loose, inflicting bites and other serious injuries.
A dog attack is an incredibly emotionally charged situation; many innocent victims adore dogs and have never had a negative experience with a dog. These incidents are especially sensitive when your child is the innocent victim. Dogs can cause all sorts of injuries, including:
- Serious puncture wounds
- Loss of vision
- Loss of teeth
- Infection
- Disfiguring scars
- Broken bones
As a dog attack survivor, you have victim’s rights. Arizona state and county laws protect victims of dog attacks through their leash laws – requiring owners to keep their dogs on leashes at all times. Generally, dog owners have a homeowner’s insurance policy, which can be used to cover the cost of your injuries, even if it is the dog’s first time biting someone. And remember, not all dogs that inflict injury are the usual suspects (for example, Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds); dog bites and other injuries can come from any dog breed.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a dog attack, please follow these steps to help support your personal injury lawsuit:
- Get immediate medical attention
- Call your local authorities to report the attack
- Collect contact information for all of the witnesses – if you cannot do this, ask a friend or family member to help
- Take photos of the scene – including your injuries, the dog, the dog’s owner, and the location of the incident
- Without speaking to an experienced attorney first, do not give any statements to the dog owner or the owner’s insurance company
- Contact our helpful attorneys at Sparks Law Group
Because dog attacks are so traumatic, they can cause both serious physical injury and prolonged emotional distress. At Sparks Law Group we can assist you in getting compensation for any medical expenses, lost wages, disfigurement, pain and suffering, and psychological counseling. Further, if a loved one was killed in a dog attack we can help you pursue a wrongful death claim.
