Phoenix Dog Bite Lawyers 

Fighting For Dog Bite Accident Victims in Arizona

Even if you consider yourself a “dog person,” experiencing a dog bite injury can be a traumatic and life-changing experience. Not only can such an incident cause lifelong pain, disability, and disfigurement, but it can also result in liability for costly medical procedures, medications, physical therapy, and more. 

We at IBF Law Group don’t believe should have to bear the financial burdens of becoming injured. When someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused a dog bite incident, they and/or their insurance carriers should shoulder the costs associated with your medical care, recovery, and future financial needs. With personalized legal support, our experienced dog bite lawyers in Phoenix can help you reach the best possible outcome for your claim. 

Learn more during an initial consultation with us. Contact IBF Law Group online or call (602) 833-1110 now to get started with our dog bites lawyers in Phoenix. 

Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite Injury in Arizona? 

Strict liability in Arizona means that dog owners are always responsible for damages caused to lawfully present victims when their dogs bite. Whether the animal attacked someone on public or private property – even the dog owner’s own property – the dog owner is liable for damages. 

It also doesn’t matter if the dog was or wasn’t on a leash, if the owner did or didn’t know their dog was vicious, or if anyone thinks you did anything to provoke the dog attack. Under Arizona law, dogs must never bite people, and their owners are responsible when they do. 

Exceptions to a dog owner’s liability apply when the dog bite victim was trespassing or was bit by a military or police dog that was performing a duty. Under these circumstances, a dog bite injury claim probably won’t succeed. 

Does Breed Matter When It Comes to a Dog Bite Injury Claim? 

Any individual dog of any breed can bite and cause injury, so no individual breed incurs more or less liability for the dog owner. Some breeds such as pit bulls, rottweilers, German shepherds, and Doberman pinschers are considered “dangerous” breeds, but only because of the strength and bite force they can exhibit. 

Smaller breeds, such as chihuahuas, dachshunds, Yorkshire terriers, and French bulldogs, can also bite and cause serious injury to a human being. When these dogs bite, it’s no less serious from a personal injury standpoint than if a much larger dog was involved. 

Consult with our dog bite injury lawyers in Phoenix if you have concerns about the type of dog that attacked you.

Common Injuries in Dog Bite Accidents

Some of the most common injuries seen in dog bite cases include:

• Puncture Wounds: Puncture wounds are a common result of dog bites, especially when the dog's teeth penetrate deeply into the skin. These wounds are dangerous as they may introduce bacteria deep into the tissue, leading to severe infections. If not treated promptly, puncture wounds can become infected, requiring extensive medical treatmendog's sometimes leading to more severe complications like abscesses or sepsis.
• Lacerations: Lacerations are deep cuts or tears in the skin caused by a dog's teeth. These injuries often require stitches and can leave significant scars. In some cases, lacerations may also damage underlying muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, leading to long-term disability or chronic pain.
• Crush Injuries: Larger dogs can cause crush injuries, where the force of the bite crushes bones, muscles, and tissue. These injuries can lead to fractures, dislocations, and severe tissue damage. Crush injuries are often incredibly painful and may require surgical intervention, physical therapy, and long-term care.
• Nerve Damage: Dog bites can cause significant nerve damage, especially if the bite is deep or occurs in areas with a high concentration of nerves, such as the hands, face, or legs. Nerve damage could result in a loss of sensation, chronic pain, or even paralysis in severe cases.
• Infections: Infections are a serious risk following a dog bite, as the bacteria from the dog's mouth can easily enter the victim's body through the wound. Common infections include cellulitis, rabies, and tetanus. In some cases, these infections can spread rapidly, resulting in serious health complications or even death.
• Psychological Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, dog bite victims can suffer from psychological trauma. The emotional impact of a dog attack can be deep, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Victims may experience nightmares, flashbacks, and an overwhelming fear of dogs.

What Damages Could Be Recovered in a Dog Bite Claim?

Plaintiffs in dog bite injury lawsuits can claim various damages and seek compensation for them with legal action. 

Depending on your unique situation, you may be able to recover compensation for: 

• Medical Expenses: These include all medical bills you received that are relevant to your dog bite injuries. Medical expenses can include ambulance transportation, emergency room treatment, a hospital stay, stitches, medications, and more. It may even include future medical expenses you expect to incur as a result of your injuries. 
• Pain and Suffering: These damages relate to the emotional suffering and physical pain you experienced during and in the aftermath of the dog attack. Because such an experience can be life-altering and cause conditions such as anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you may be awarded damages for these things. 
• Loss of Income: If you weren’t able to work while you were recovering from your dog bite injuries, or you can no longer work due to a new disability caused by the dog bite attack, you can seek damages to account for your loss of income.  

These are not all of the damages that may be relevant to your claim. When you meet with one of our dog bite attorneys in Phoenix at IBF Law Group, you can learn more about recoverable damages that may apply to you. 

Contact Our Dog Bites Lawyer in Phoenix Today

IBF Law Group is here to help those who were injured by someone else’s dog. Owners are responsible for controlling their animals and making sure they never bite and injure any other human being. If you were lawfully present on the property where you were bit, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your damages. 

For more information, contact IBF Law Group online and request a consultation with our Phoenix dog bite attorneys.