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Practice Area - Dog Bite Injury

Dog Bite Injuries

Dog Bites Can Leave Physical & Emotional Scars

If you or someone you care about has experienced the trauma of a dog attack, trying to figure out what to do next can be daunting. We can help!

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Most people associate a personal injury with a car accident, but there are other ways a person can get hurt and require medical attention. One of the most common types of injuries that is often overlooked is a dog bite.

Dog bite cases can present certain legal obstacles, but these obstacles can also be overcome by a competent dog bite attorney.

Dog bites can leave devastating physical and emotional scars. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), every year 800,000 Americans seek medical treatment for a dog bite.

Around half of those who need medical treatment are children. The CDC estimates at least 16 children die from a dog bite injury every year.

If you’ve suffered from a dog bite recently, don’t minimize your pain. Dog bites are responsible for the hospitalization of roughly 10,000 Americans each year, according to the canine education organization Dogs Bite. Most victims of dog bites don’t want to cause a scene and are likely to dismiss the bite as innocuous, but this is not a wise choice. After a dog bite, victims are at severe risk of infection. The worst-case scenario for a dog bite is death. 

 

 

Bites From Small Dogs

The media hypes up “dangerous dogs” such as pit bull terriers, German shepherds, dobermans and similar large dogs as the source of most dog bites. However, many animal bite cases involve small dogs that we consider “safe” for children and families.

Bites from small size dogs can include favorite “family friendly” breeds like:

Dog Bite - Dachshund

Dachshunds

Dog Bite - Chihuahua

Chihuahuas

Dog Bite - Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers

Dog Bite - Beagle

Beagles

Utah has a strict liability statute in dog bite cases, which means that if a dog bites someone, the owner is liable for all damages, regardless of the dog’s history. These are often very serious cases, and it is critical that you have a skilled and experienced dog bite injury attorney to aggressively represent you or your injured child.

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we understand that you may be hesitant to file a lawsuit against the owner of the dog, especially if they are a friend or family member.

Remember that it is the owner’s INSURANCE COMPANY that will be compensating you for your damages, not the individual.

If you, your child or another loved one was attacked by a dog and suffered serious injuries, you are entitled to financial compensation. And even if the bite wasn’t physically damaging, and didn’t require stitches or reconstructive surgery, the emotional trauma experienced by a dog bite can be just as damaging to a child.

Get Qualified Legal Advice After a Dog Bite Injury

Even after plastic surgery and scar revision surgery, dog bites can result in permanent disfigurement and scarring. Whether you were injured in a friend’s home or on public property, the dog owner’s homeowners insurance policy is legally required to compensate you for your devastating injury.

Dog Bite Injuries: Who Is Liable?

Dog owners have a legal responsibility to prevent their pets from injuring others or damaging property. Owners are responsible for reimbursing dog bite victims for their medical expenses, time lost from work, and their pain and suffering.

When a Dog Hurts You

In the event that you are injured by a dog, be sure to use this checklist as a reference for action.

  • Take note of the owner’s name and phone number, and don’t forget to ask them if they are covered by liability insurance
  • Ask witnesses for their names and numbers as well so that they can help you back up your claims if the dog owner changes the story.
  • Take pictures of the dog, your immediate visible injuries, and anything in the vicinity that will support your story, such as an open gate that the dog used
  • Seek medical assistance immediately if the dog bite was severe
  • Keep records of your doctor and hospital visits as well as copies of your bills.
  • Most importantly, report the incident to animal control authorities. Many cities and states require that the dog be quarantined after it injures someone to find out if it’s rabid.
  • Check records at the animal control department to see if this dog has attacked other people in the past.

Following these guidelines will exponentially help you win in court if the case goes that far.

When Dog Owners are Liable

A dog owner will be held liable in a civil lawsuit if the victim can prove that the dog owner acted carelessly.

Dog owners are found negligent in instances where they ignored local leash laws, or in cases where they left a door open and their dog ran out and bit someone.

There’s also the possibility that a dog statute will apply.

Several states have strict liability dog bite laws in place that make the owner financially responsible for dog bites, regardless of the dog’s history; Utah is one of these states.

Another instance in which the dog owner can be found negligent in court is if the victim can prove that the owner was aware that their dog is capable of extreme injuries.

In states without specific dog-related laws, they have one-bite rules in place that hold the dog owner responsible for injuries.

Articles About Dog Bite Injuries

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Find the Support You Need

Utah Injury Lawyers - Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks

Utah Injury Lawyers Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks

If you, your child, or a loved one was bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation—even if the physical injuries aren’t severe. The emotional trauma that comes with a dog bite is worthy of a monetary award, especially when it comes to children.

With more than 50 years of combined experience in personal injury law, the attorneys at Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks are dedicated to maximizing your recovery. We will carefully investigate and document the circumstances of the animal attack and aggressively pursue your claim.

Call our office at (801) 500-4000 to schedule a consultation or discuss your case.