Punitive Damages in Dog Bite Cases
Arizona’s strict dog bite liability law means a pet owner will have to pay damages if his or her dog attacks someone, with or without proof of negligence. In cases involving known animal propensities for viciousness, the dog owner may have to pay an additional amount in punitive damages. Dog bite punitive damages punish the pet owner for negligently failing to keep a known dangerous dog contained. Find out if you are eligible for punitive damages in a dog bite case during a free consultation at Torgenson Law. Call (602) 726-0747.
Why Clients Pick Torgenson Law
- We strive for maximum compensation during dog bite insurance claims, meaning punitive damages if the circumstances permit.
- We know how to navigate tricky insurance claim negotiations while demanding fair settlements. We can also take claims to court, if necessary.
- We work on all dog bite injury cases on a contingency fee basis, with $0 in attorney’s fees if we do not win.
When to Call a Dog Bite Attorney
Most dog bite injury cases can benefit from an attorney – especially those serious enough to potentially receive punitive damages. If you suffered life-changing or catastrophic injuries in a dog attack, or a loved one passed away due to dog attack complications, hiring a lawyer could help you fight for fair compensation. A lawyer can protect your rights as a dog attack victim while going up against the pet owner or other defendants on your behalf. With a lawyer representing your interests, you can rest assured an insurance company will offer fair compensation for your losses.
Pet Owner Liability in Arizona
A pet owner in Arizona will be responsible for any injuries suffered in a dog attack, whether or not the owner was negligent in failing to prevent the bites. Arizona’s dog bite statute holds dog owners liable for attacks, bites and injuries they cause regardless of fault. It will be the owner of the dog that bit you, therefore, that will have to pay for your damages in most cases. One type of damage award you may be able to receive is exemplary, or punitive, for gross negligence.
Are You Eligible for Punitive Damages?
Dog bite punitive damages are not the same as compensatory. The purpose of compensatory damages is to reimburse a dog bite injury victim for losses such as medical costs and lost wages. Punitive damages, on the other hand, serve to reprimand a defendant for grossly negligent or reckless acts. Not all personal injury claims end in punitive damage awards. It is up to the court’s discretion whether or not a plaintiff has stated his or her case enough to receive a punitive award.
If you wish to demand punitive damages in Phoenix, hire a lawyer to help you with the paperwork and burden of proof. Although you will not need proof that the pet owner was negligent to receive general damages, you will need to establish the grounds on which you are claiming punitive compensation. Your lawyer will need to prove that the defendant failed to keep a dangerous or vicious dog contained while knowing this failure could put others at significant risk of harm.
Punitive damages are most common in extreme dog bite injury cases. In general, you must have suffered a dog attack injury that will result in permanent scars, disfigurement, disabilities or lost quality of life to qualify for punitive damages. An attorney from Torgenson Law can review your case and help you understand whether the courts might award punitive damages. If you are an eligible claimant, your attorney can argue for fair compensation according to your specific losses.
Contact a Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Phoenix
At Torgenson Law, our attorneys have obtained multimillion-dollar results for past clients in Arizona through aggressive negotiation strategies. In over 15 years of practice area experience, we have learned how to fight for the compensation we believe our clients deserve. This may include punitive damages for some dog bite injury claimants. Discover what your dog bite case might be worth today. Schedule a free consultation online or give us a call at (602) 726-0747.