When you’ve attacked bitten by an animal or dog of someone you know, you might be faced with a dilemma. If the bite is severe enough to warrant medical treatment, you may hesitate to file a claim to recover your losses and damages. It can feel like you’re personally going after a friend or family member. You may worry about whether it will affect your relationship. But there are many reasons to think of this situation in a different way.

Dog Bite Law in Arizona

Arizona’s law relating to dog bites states:

“The owner of a dog which bites a person when the person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of its viciousness.”

The dog owner is usually responsible when the dog injures another person, even if the dog was not known to be aggressive. There are few exceptions to this rule of liability.

Why You Should File a Claim

• When you file a claim for a dog bite, it will usually go through the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. This is one of the major reasons to have homeowner’s insurance – in case of injuries that occur on their property. Try not to worry about the dog owner taking the claim personally. Your friend/family member will eventually forgive you, especially if you have significant costs or losses resulting from the attack.
• Dog bites can be expensive. Depending on the severity of the bite, you could be looking at multiple doctor’s appointments, stitches, or surgery. You could have permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Emotional trauma. If a dog bite affects your mental health in a way that alters your day-to-day life, you could be entitled to compensation for your suffering. A settlement could help you pay for mental health services as well.

Izzy Yetnikoff is an attorney with extensive experience in dog bite clases. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite or animal attack, consider calling Izzy Yetnikoff at Yetnikoff Law Offices PLLC at 800-279-6331 to find out what your options are, how to make a recovery, and secure your financial compensation.