Owner Liability for Aggressive Dogs
Getting attacked by an aggressive dog could lead to significant personal injuries such as deep lacerations and puncture wounds. Many pet owners have the power to prevent these attacks, yet negligently fail to do so. Owners who know about a dog’s violent history and still fail to prevent further injuries or deaths may be guilty of gross negligence.
At Torgenson Law, we believe in holding negligent pet owners accountable for their oversights. If an aggressive or violent dog attacked you in Phoenix, Arizona, please contact us for a free legal consultation. Our dog bite lawyers may be able to help you obtain fair compensation.
Why Injured Dog Bite Victims Choose John Torgenson
- He has trial experience and is 100% dedicated to fighting insurance companies on behalf of injured people.
- He has a history in both defense and plaintiff’s practice areas, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the justice system.
- He truly cares about what happens to his clients. Torgenson Law’s number one goal is to help clients rebuild their lives.
- He accepts dog bite injury claims – including catastrophic injury cases – on a contingency fee basis in Arizona.
Understanding Arizona’s Strict Liability Law
After a dog attack, your injuries could put you out of work and cost thousands of dollars in medical bills. You do not have to pay for your damages if someone else’s dog bit you, however. Under Arizona’s strict dog bite liability law, the pet owner will owe you money for these losses, with a few rare exceptions. You will not have to prove negligence or fault to claim compensation in most cases. The dog owner will be strictly liable for injuries his or her dog inflicted.
How to Maximize Your Compensation
If the owner had reason to anticipate the dog’s violent tendencies, such as a history of the dog attacking other pets or people, yet failed to prevent your injuries, you could be eligible for additional compensation in the form of punitive damages. This is where prior knowledge of the dog’s aggression could make a difference to your case. Rather than only holding the pet owner responsible for your actual damages, you may be able to argue for a higher award to punish the dog owner’s negligence as well.
While it is always tragic to suffer serious injuries in a dog attack, it adds an extra measure of injustice to find out the pet owner reasonably should have known of the risk of an attack. Arizona has specific laws in place for owners of dangerous dogs. If the pet previously bit someone or killed a domestic animal, city animal controllers may mark it as dangerous. The dangerous dog’s owner must then keep the pet closed in a yard or a confined area, as well as post a sign warning people of the dog’s vicious propensities. Ignoring Arizona’s dangerous dog laws could lead to tragedies.
Proving the pet owner knew or reasonably should have known the dog might bite, such as through a record of other complaints against the dog or dog bite reports, could make you eligible for a punitive damage award. Dog attack punitive damages could increase your total insurance settlement or jury verdict by adding an amount the defendant must pay for negligently failing to prevent the attack, on top of the costs to cover your actual damages.
Contact an Attorney in Phoenix Today
Maximize your financial compensation for a dog bite injury by hiring a lawyer. A dog bite injury lawyer in Phoenix at Torgenson Law could help you gather proof of actual knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensity and viciousness to support your demand for damages. A lawyer may also help you prove negligence or fault, such as the pet owner’s failure to properly confine or secure the dangerous dog. Your attorney can handle the burden of proof for you while you concentrate on getting well. Ask an attorney questions about your case today during a free consultation. Contact us at (602) 726-0747.