Dog Bite Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
Choose Arizona’s Best Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or your child has been attacked by a dog, you should immediately contact a dog bite lawyer in Mesa to secure proper medical treatment and compensation. A dog bite can be a severe injury, requiring serious medical attention and care.
Dog bites fall under a personal injury claim, generally made through the owner’s homeowner’s insurance coverage. At Smith Alston Darner & Lee, our Mesa accident injury attorneys have experience with every type of injury claim, including dog bites. We want to help you get compensation for your injuries.
Don’t assume that a minor injury does not require medical attention. Sometimes injuries can have consequences down the road that are not apparent right at the onset. That is why our dog bite lawyers recommend you seek medical attention immediately.
Call our Mesa personal injury lawyers today at (602) 892-5000. We offer FREE CONSULTATIONS so you can receive the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
Dog Bite Laws in Arizona
It may seem far-fetched, but there are plenty of dog bite incidents in the United States. According to the CDC, 4.5 million dog bites occur in the country every year. The average cost of a dog bite-related inpatient stay is $18,200.
State law makes dog owners liable when their dog bites a person in a public space or when the victim was lawfully present within the owner’s property. Whether the dog has bitten or attacked anyone before is irrelevant. Dog incidents should be reported, as Arizona law requires a dog to be quarantined once it has bitten a person.
When a dog owner is sued in Arizona, they have one potential defense. They can try to prove the dog was provoked. Essentially, liability in these cases comes down to whether this can be proven and whether a reasonable person under the same circumstances would likely have provoked the dog.
Common Injuries from Dog Bite Incidents in Mesa, AZ
Depending on the circumstances and the severity of the bite, these types of injuries can have dire consequences, especially in younger victims. People might experience fractures and tissue, tendon, or nerve damage caused by the grip of a dog’s sharp teeth. Many dogs, when in ‘attack mode,’ lock their jaw and will hold onto the skin with their teeth. They easily tear through the skin and reach the bone. Common places where dog bites occur can be:
- Parks
- Residential areas outside the owner’s property
- Outdoor restaurants
- Walking paths
- Dog parks
Every year, surgeons perform thousands of reconstructive surgeries because of serious dog bites. The medical costs and the severity of the attacks should be taken seriously. Getting bit by a dog can result in the following injuries:
- Fractured bones
- Punctures
- Lacerations
- Sprains
- Tissue loss
- Scars
- Abrasions
- Infections such as rabies
- Infections such as Pasteurella
- MRSA
- Tetanus
Victims of dog bites deserve a strong legal defense against those responsible. Call (602) 892-5000 today to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION with a top dog bite lawyer in Mesa.
Seeking Damages in a Dog Bite Claim
If you suffered injuries in a dog attack, you might be entitled to financial compensation. The damages you receive ultimately depend on the circumstances of your case, such as the nature and extent of your injuries. Damages commonly awarded in dog bite cases include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Costs for ongoing care
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death damages
To learn more about how much your claim might be worth, contact a top dog bite lawyer in Mesa.
Steps to Follow After a Dog Attack
Following a dog attack, you might suffer from mild shock. Sometimes these incidents happen quite fast or out of the blue. If you have been bitten by a dog, seek medical attention immediately. If possible, before leaving the scene, gather the information that might indicate to whom the dog belonged, including any info on the collar or nearby homes, etc.
What to Expect from Your Initial Consultation with Your Mesa Dog Bite Attorney
After you seek medical attention, call the office of a trusted Mesa, AZ, dog bite lawyer. When you call us for a free consultation, you will sit down and talk with one of our personal injury lawyers. We will advise you on what steps to take and how we can help you with your case.
Contact a Top Dog Bite Lawyer in Mesa
An injury of any sort can be debilitating. It can cause you to miss work or even have limited mobility or long-term consequences. Our accident injury attorneys in Mesa are here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us at (602) 892-5000 for more information, or feel free to come by the office to speak with us in person.