Regardless of the size of a dog, a dog bite often leads to serious injuries and infections that require long-term and costly medical treatment. Being attacked by a dog does not just have a physical impact—it can also affect your mental health, your ability to work and make a living, and your overall quality of life. Working with a Mesa dog bite injury attorney can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries and lost wages.
To cover medical bills and other damages related to the dog bite injury, you can file a personal injury claim after being bitten by a dog in Arizona. An experienced Mesa dog bite lawyer at Elmm Law Group is best equipped to guide you through your legal case and fight insurance companies for the fair compensation you deserve.
Common Injuries Caused by Dog Bites
Even a minor dog bite incidents can result in catastrophic injuries. Each injury may become the basis for a personal injury claim. Some of the common injuries and infections you may face after a dog attack include:
Puncture Wounds
Deep wounds caused by sharp canine teeth often lead to significant tissue damage.
Lacerations
Jagged cuts and tears in the skin from a dog attack may require stitches or reconstructive surgery.
Infections
Bacteria from a dog’s mouth can cause serious infections, including cellulitis or sepsis. In rare cases, bites from unvaccinated dogs may expose victims to rabies.
Broken Bones
A dog’s strong jaws can crush or break bones, especially in an individual’s fingers or hands.
Nerve Damage
Dog bite wounds may sever nerves and lead to numbness or loss of function.
Emotional Trauma
Dog bite victims often suffer from anxiety, PTSD, or a long-term fear of dogs.
Facial Injuries
Dog bites to the face can cause severe damage to delicate areas like the eyes or lips. This can lead to psychological trauma and a lowered quality of life.
The pain and emotional impact of a dog bite could make it difficult to consider legal action. However, putting off a consultation with a lawyer could prevent you from getting the full compensation you need for recovery. A skilled Mesa dog bite attorney will evaluate the damage caused by the attack and help you file an appropriate claim.
Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite?
Arizona has a strict liability law that applies to dog bites in Mesa. This law means that the dog owner is legally responsible for covering damages even if the dog owner is not found negligent. So, even if the dog’s owner did not know that their pet could be violent or kept it on a leash, they are still liable for the dog’s actions.
Some exceptions to this law exist. For example, if someone was trespassing on the owner’s private property and the dog bit them, the trespasser could be partially responsible for the bite. A qualified dog bite lawyer in Mesa can assess your situation and explain how liability laws apply to your specific case. We will communicate with the homeowner’s insurance on your behalf.
Damages You Could Recover in a Dog Bite Claim
An Elmm Law Group dog bite injury attorney can give you legal advice. If a dog bites and causes you to suffer injuries, you could recover economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages after a dog attack provide compensation for all the expenses you incurred due to your injuries. This can include surgeries, post-operation care, medication, and rehab costs.
Non-economic damages are defined as non-tangible damages. This includes pain and suffering, disfigurement, and loss of quality of life. The amount that you can recover depends on the extent of your injuries, the quality of evidence, and the competence of your Mesa dog attack attorney. A skilled attorney can walk you through the legal process.
Get in Touch With a Mesa Dog Bite Attorney Today
If a dog bit you and caused injuries, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. Arizona’s strict liability laws in dog bite cases make it easier for you to receive compensation. However, to protect your rights and recover a fair amount, you should get legal assistance. And, you should act quickly, since the statute of limitations for dog bite claims in Arizona is only one year.
At Elmm Law Group, we have decades of experience handling various personal injury cases in Arizona, including those involving animal attacks. We will fight hard to get you the money you need and deserve. Call for a free case evaluation with our Mesa dog bite lawyer today.
Client Snapshot: $127,000 Dog Bite Injury Settlement
Client Background
Our client was a local Mesa resident simply enjoying a peaceful afternoon walk in their neighborhood when an unexpected incident changed everything.
The Challenge
Without warning, our client was attacked by an off-leash dog. The terrifying encounter resulted in severe puncture wounds and emotional trauma that required immediate emergency care, stitches, and ongoing therapy. The physical pain was overwhelming, but the financial stress quickly multiplied as hospital bills piled up. When the dog owner’s insurance company refused to offer a fair payout, trying to handle an injury claim for dog attacks alone felt entirely hopeless for our client.
The Solution
After a traumatic event, the last thing you should worry about is fighting an uncooperative insurance company. Knowing they needed support, our client made the smart choice to hire an experienced Mesa dog bite lawyer. We immediately stepped in to investigate the attack, proving the dog owner was strictly liable under Arizona law.
Securing a strong dog bite settlement is only part of the process. To ensure our client kept as much of their compensation as possible, our legal team aggressively negotiated with healthcare providers to drastically reduce the medical liens attached to the case. We handled the complex legal battle so our client could focus completely on their physical and emotional recovery.
The Results
- $127,000 Total Settlement: We successfully held the negligent dog owner and their insurance company fully accountable.
- 70% Net Recovery: By expertly negotiating and reducing medical liens, we ensured our client took home the clear majority of the settlement money.
Client Quote
“I was terrified by the medical bills and the confusing calls from insurance adjusters. My legal team stepped in and took care of everything. They genuinely listened to my concerns and fought hard so I could afford my care and finally feel safe again.”
Serving the wider Valley: If you have a dog bite in Phoenix, our Phoenix dog bite lawyer team handles cases across the Phoenix metro.