If a dog bites and injures you, the pet’s owner, and not the animal itself, can be held responsible. Discuss this incident with a dog bite lawyer in Saratoga Springs. When you do, you can take the first step to secure compensation for your injury-related losses through a claim or lawsuit.
Siegfried & Jensen has recovered over $1.2 billion for our clients. As you search for legal help with your dog bite injury case, we encourage you to speak with a personal injury lawyer in Saratoga Springs from our legal team. We want to help you recover compensatory damages based on the harm you’ve suffered. Contact us today for more information.
Reasons to File a Dog Bite Claim in Saratoga Springs, Utah
The ways you respond to a dog bite can have far-reaching effects. In the short term, it’s beneficial to go to a doctor and receive medical care for your dog bite injuries. Outside of this, it helps to partner with a dog bite attorney in Saratoga Springs, since they can help you pursue compensation for your injury-related losses as part of an insurance claim.
Filing a claim allows you to request compensation to use toward your recovery from your dog bite injuries. Your lawyer can help you file your claim and negotiate an insurance settlement for you. Plus, they can provide you with FAQs and resources to help you make informed legal decisions as the claims process moves forward.
The Siegfried & Jensen team has decades of combined experience. If you’re wondering whether to file a claim or sue for a dog bite, we are here to help. To find out more, schedule a free dog bite injury case evaluation.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Saratoga Springs, call (801) 266-0999
When to Sue for a Dog Bite
Your Saratoga Springs dog bite lawyer can go back and forth with a liable party’s insurance company on your behalf. However, if no settlement agreement is finalized, your attorney can walk you through the process of filing a dog bite injury lawsuit.
Per Utah Code § 78B-2-307, if you are injured due to a dog owner’s actions, you generally have four years to sue this individual for compensatory damages. If this window closes, you can lose the right to ask for damages at a later time.
Talk with your attorney about the personal injury statute of limitations in Utah and how it applies to your case. If you are ready to file a dog bite lawsuit, your lawyer can help you submit the required documentation for it in alignment with Utah law.
Saratoga Springs Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
How Much a Dog Bite Lawsuit Is Worth
The average compensation for a dog bite varies based on the specifics of a lawsuit. Your personal injury attorney wants you to receive economic and non-economic damages for your dog bite-related losses. Below are some of the damages you can recover if you sue for a dog bite:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
Your lawyer can use your medical bills, pay stubs, and other financial documents to highlight your financial losses in court. In addition, they can use witness statements, accident-scene photos, animal control reports, and other evidence to establish liability.
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How to Prove Liability in a Dog Bite Injury Case
If you say that a dog owner or another party is liable for your injuries, you will have to prove liability before a judge or jury will award damages. Your dog bite injury lawyer can craft an argument centered on strict liability.
As your attorney argues your case in court, they want a judge or jury to see that the defendant’s dog attacked and injured you. They can also detail how you suffered dog bite injuries, and you are dealing with losses as a result.
Under Utah Code § 78B-5-818, modified comparative negligence can affect your case outcome. With this, if you are less than 50% liable for your dog bite injuries, you can still recover damages through a lawsuit, but these can be reduced by your percentage of fault. Alternatively, if you’re 50% or more to blame, you can’t get damages.
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Who is Liable for a Dog Bite
A dog owner is often responsible if their pet bites and injures someone. Yet there are times when someone other than a pet owner is at fault for dog-bite injuries. Third parties that can be held liable for a dog bite include:
- Dog walkers
- Property owners
- Parents of a dog owner under the age of 18
Regardless of who is liable for your dog bite injuries, your lawyer wants to show liability. They can gather proof from a wide range of sources and develop an argument tailored to your case. Doing these things and others can help your lawyer explain to a judge or jury why you should be compensated for your dog bite injury losses.
What Can Happen to a Dog That Bites You
If you are worried that a dog will be euthanized after it bites you, it’s important to note that this is unlikely to happen. The times when a dog can be euthanized after biting and injuring someone include if the animal has rabies, causes catastrophic injury or death, has attacked multiple people, or has been deemed legally vicious.
Typically, after a dog bite, the animal can be placed in a 14-day quarantine. During this time, animal control can look for signs of rabies. Meanwhile, law enforcement can investigate a dog attack. They can interview witnesses and take other measures to determine whether the dog was provoked or whether other actions contributed to the incident.
Dog bite injury attorneys will advise you to prioritize self-care in the aftermath of your animal attack. They can communicate with the authorities and other parties as you focus on your recovery. At the same time, they can start preparing an argument to present to a judge or jury.
Get Our Saratoga Springs Dog Bite Lawyers on Your Side
Work with a Saratoga Springs dog bite attorney from Siegfried & Jensen. Our team can handle the legal aspects of your dog bite claim or lawsuit.
We can position you to obtain compensation for your tangible and intangible dog bite injury losses. To learn more, request a free case evaluation.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form