How To Safeguard Your Rights As A Dog Bite Victim

By Author: Shiela Byron
Total Articles: 29
Comment this article

Any person who has been bitten or attacked by an animal is bound to suffer a great deal of physical and emotional trauma. The sad part about such unfortunate incidents is that most often the victims are children. There are times when victims or their relatives are unable to fight for their rights because they do not have sufficient knowledge on the issue.

If you are living in Arizona and are a victim of such an attack, or have a relative that has just been bitten or attacked by an animal, then it is important for you to know what guidelines are laid out by the state law. In most states, it is usually the owner or the designated guardian of the dog during the time of the attack who is mandated to cover the expenses of th, in addition to the payment for any psychological trauma that the victim may have experienced.

If you want to receive compensation for the injuries you have sustained from an animal bite or attack, there has to be proof that the person responsible for the dog has failed to protect the general populace from any harm that the animal might cause. If you have sufficient evidence and your claim has been ...
... established, then the court would then determine how much compensation you are to receive.

The insurance policy of the owner usually covers the payment, but if you are experiencing trouble with the process or need further guidance on how to initiate the process, then you should seek assistance from a trusted personal injury lawyer in Arizona. Lawyers have the expertise to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Looking into the Arizona Dog Bite Law

You are one of the fortunate ones who reside in a state where there is a dog bite law. More importantly, you are one of the more privileged citizens of this country that does not follow the one-free-bite law, which means that Arizona considers a first animal attack as an incident wherein the owner of the attacking animal can be held responsible for any injuries sustained by the victim even if the animal has no history of attacking people.

Strict Liability

Pet owners responsible for animals that have attacked people are held to a standard called strict liability, which means if a lawsuit is made within a year from the date of the attack or aggressive behavior that has caused harm, then the owner can be held liable immediately.

However, if the lawsuit has exceeded a year, then the victim now has to prove that the animal owner has reasonable cause to have known that his or her animal was a potential threat to the safety of the people around the animal. This will require the victim to prove that the dog or animal had indeed bitten or attacked another person before, which might prove difficult for the victim.

Exceptions to Liability

If the victim is attacked by an animal but provoked it to do so, he will not be eligible for any compensation. An animal, especially in the line of police or military duty, cannot be charged for its actions while carrying out its orders or responsibility.

Phoenix medical malpractice attorneys from Johnson Law Group serves the Arizona state on cases like birth traumas, slip and fall, dog bites and auto accidents. An Arizona car accident lawyers from Johnson Law Group is also willing to help you.