If a dog bites you, the pet’s owner can be held responsible for the harm their animal has caused. Talk with a dog bite lawyer in Cedar City about this incident. Your attorney will explain your legal options and how to pursue compensatory damages from the owner of the dog that attacked you.
Siegfried & Jensen has helped over 35,000 clients in dog bite injury cases and many others. We encourage you to seek legal help if a dog attacks you and you are dealing with injuries as a result. To get started, speak with a Cedar City personal injury lawyer from our team.
Why You Should Move Forward with a Dog Bite Injury Case
You have no idea what to do legally if a dog bites you. Get a dog bite attorney in Cedar City on your side. Your lawyer is your legal advocate and representative. They provide insights into the legal process and the steps to take to secure compensation due to the harm you have suffered.
Generally, you can sue for a dog bite in Utah. Just because you file a lawsuit does not mean that the dog that attacked you will be euthanized. A dog bite injury case is an opportunity to hold a pet owner accountable for their animal’s actions. The case may prompt this individual to take additional measures to prevent their pet from attacking others in the future.
Siegfried & Jensen has a track record of success in personal injury cases. To date, we have obtained more than $1.2 billion for our clients. We will share FAQs and other resources with you, and these can help you decide whether to proceed with your dog bite case. Request a free case consultation with us.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Cedar City, call (801) 266-0999
When You Can Submit a Dog Bite Claim in Cedar City
According to Utah Code Section 78B-2-306, there is a four-year statute of limitations for a personal injury claim. This means you have four years from the date a dog attacks you to ask for damages from the pet’s owner. If this window closes, you are solely responsible for your injury-related losses.
Your Cedar City dog bite lawyer teaches you about the personal injury statute of limitations in Utah. They can file your claim before the time frame in which you are allowed to do so closes. Your attorney may negotiate a settlement with a liable party’s insurance company.
Ideally, an at-fault party’s insurance carrier proposes a settlement that matches your expectations. Unfortunately, an insurer may offer a lowball proposal or dispute your compensation request. Your attorney is prepared for either of these scenarios. If warranted, they will advise you to take your dog bite injury case in front of a judge or jury.
Cedar City Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Compensation Available in a Dog Bite Case
Your Cedar City dog bite attorney calculates your losses. They describe the average compensation for a dog bite and how much money you could receive in your case. Your lawyer may recommend requesting economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A dog owner may claim you did something to incite their pet to attack you. If they succeed, a judge or jury may be inclined to rule against you. Alternatively, the court may say you are partly responsible for your dog bite injury. If this occurs, you may receive partial damages or no compensation at all.
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How to Prove Negligence in a Dog Attack Case
Negligence is a key consideration as your lawyer prepares their argument. Your attorney wants a judge or jury to see that a pet owner violated their duty of care, which is a legal obligation to avoid acts of recklessness and carelessness. They also highlight how this breach of duty of care led to your dog bite injuries and all associated damages.
Your attorney may use accident scene photos, witness statements, and other evidence to prove negligence. If your lawyer has a wide range of proof, it becomes difficult for a liable party to dispute your case. Thus, this party may be inclined to offer a fair settlement.
In Utah, you can share responsibility for your dog bite injuries with a pet owner. Per Utah Code Section 78B-5-818, comparative negligence applies to personal injury cases. If you are 1-50% at fault for your injuries, a judge or jury can award partial damages based on your percentage of liability. On the other hand, if you are more than 50% to blame, you may not receive damages.
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What Can Happen to a Dog That Bites You
A strict liability rule is in effect that relates to your dog bite case. In alignment with Utah Code Section 18-1-1, a dog owner is liable if their pet bites someone. As such, if a dog attacks you and you are injured due to the animal’s actions, the pet’s owner may be at fault for the incident.
While some states have a “one-bite” rule in which a dog is responsible if the animal previously bites someone, Utah does not. A pet owner may be at fault if their dog bites you and you suffer injuries. In this situation, you may pursue compensation from this individual through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Outside of these things, following a dog attack, a pet owner may have to muzzle their animal. Or the dog may be taken into the custody of animal control. Meanwhile, you may request damages from the pet’s owner. Doing so may allow you to receive money you can use to recover financially from your dog bite injuries.
Let Our Personal Injury Law Firm Handle All of the Legal Matters in Your Dog Bite Injury Case
The team at Siegfried & Jensen takes your dog bite case seriously. We want you to treat your dog bite injuries and give your recovery your undivided attention.
As you do, we will craft an argument designed to show a judge or jury that you deserve compensation for your losses. For more information, schedule a free case consultation with us.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form