Dog Bite

Dogs are a man’s best friend, but they are still animals. This means that there is always a risk that a dog can bite you. Dog bites come with lots of complications which means that you might incur costs when seeking treatment. In essence, if you don’t own the dog that has bit you, it’s only fair that you get compensated. Compensation for dog bites fall under personal injury law and varies from state to state. If you live in Arizona, here are 5 things to know about personal injury lawsuits from a dog bite.

#1. Arizona has strict liability for dog bites

If you are bitten by a dog in Arizona at a public space, or in a private residence where you a guest, you are eligible for compensation. On top of that, since the state has strict liability for dog bites, you don’t need to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent. This means that the process of getting compensated for dog bites is faster and more straightforward. In other States, the process may be harder since it is not easy to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent.

#2. There is a statute of limitation on dog bites

In all States, there is a statute of limitations on dog bites. The unique thing about the State of Arizona is that, the period is shorter. This State has a one-year Statute of limitation, which means that you can’t go claiming for compensation for a dog bite after one year. But, that’s enough time for any serious person to seek compensation after a dog bite. For faster resolution of the issue, it would be best to institute a legal claim immediately after you are bitten. The longer you wait, the lower your chances of getting compensated.

#3. You can’t claim compensation from bites by police and military dogs

Before, you move to claim for compensation for a dog bite, it is important to know that not all dog bites are eligible.  If you are bitten by police or a military dog in the course of duty, you will not be compensated for it. As such, if you are bitten by a police dog that is in the process of apprehending a suspect, don’t bother lodging a claim for compensation.

#4. Your presence must be lawful

For you to launch a claim for compensation, make sure that your presence on the property the bite occurs is lawful. You cannot claim compensation when trespassing on someone’s property. In such a case, the dog and its owner have every right to do whatever it takes to defend themselves, and the bite is part of it.

#5. You can make a negligence claim on top of a strict liability claim

If you are bitten by a dog in someone’s property, and you can prove that they were negligent, then you have a right to claim negligence as well. One of the factors that can make you claim negligence is, if the dog has a history of biting people and the owner has not taken any measures to restrain it.