Salt Lake City is proud to be a dog-friendly city with places accepting dogs. We have countless establishments where dogs are welcomed and a webpage dedicated to Dog-Friendly SLC. This type of city culture is beautiful for community building in many ways, but it also increases the chances of dangerous interactions.
At Siegfried & Jensen, our Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer handles several dog bite cases per month. Our Salt Lake City dog bite lawyer is very familiar with laws surrounding dog bites and is ready to advocate for you and the compensation you deserve. With an average recovery of $45,000, you can focus on your recovery, knowing we have your back.
Salt Lake City Dog Attacks
When people think about dog attacks, they generally imagine a dog actively biting someone. While that certainly can be the case, a dog owner can be held responsible for injuries caused by a dog that does not physically attack. With these guidelines, you do not necessarily need a bad dog bite to sue.
Most of the over 85 million dogs in the United States will never bite someone. However, 4.5 million people have experienced dog bites in recent years, resulting in over one billion dollars in liability claims.
Fortunately, dog bite fatalities are relatively uncommon, but dog attacks can cause injuries with a large spectrum of severity that may still leave lasting injuries.
Why Dogs Bite
Many people claim their dog would never bite. The reality is that a dog is still an animal, and all animals will bite in the right circumstances.
The mindset that a dog will not bite can be dangerous if the owner does not consider the circumstances in which their dog may be pushed to that limit, which, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, may include:
- Fear
- Illness
- Startled
- Pain
- Defensive
Liability in Salt Lake City Dog Bite Cases
In most dog bite cases, the handler will be held to some degree of liability. Utah Code 18-1-1 states that the animal’s owner is responsible for injuries the animal causes, whether or not they know it is vicious. Some exceptions exist for people who are trespassing or dogs used by law enforcement.
Some owners may have additions to their home insurance policy that will pay out dog bite claims to the policy limit. However, if the amount exceeds that limit or the owner does not have insurance coverage, they may be personally responsible for those amounts. You can speak with a reputable dog bite lawyer in Salt Lake City to determine who is responsible for paying your claim.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Salt Lake City, call (801) 266-0999
After a Salt Lake City Dog Bite
The priority after any kind of adverse event should be safety, and a dog bite is no different. However, when you have ensured everyone is safe, there are a few things a Salt Lake City dog bite attorney may suggest what to do if a dog bites you. These steps can ensure you can prioritize your recovery and hold the owner accountable.
Contact Information
Identifying the dog that attacked you and its owner is critical in a dog bite case. You will need their information to pursue a lawsuit, and it can be helpful to obtain contact information from any bystanders who may be able to make a statement about what happened.
If you are unsure about the identity of the dog or owner, your attorney may be able to investigate to help you find this information.
Documentation
There are several methods to document your experience. The first is to call the police and animal control to make a report. These reports provide documentation for your case and meet the legal requirement to report pet bites.
Photographs of the animal, the area, and your injuries can act as evidence of the attack. The same is true of your medical records from evaluation following the attack. A full assessment by a medical provider may be a significant piece of your case.
Salt Lake City Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (801) 266-0999
Injuries in a Salt Lake City Dog Bite Case
The injuries from a dog bite can be horrific. They may cover different parts of the body with different severity, making each case different. Some of the more common injuries seen at Siegfried & Jensen include:
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds to the hands and face
- Blood loss
- Disfigurement
- Trauma
In addition to these injuries, one of the primary concerns in most animal attacks is infection. Puncture wounds can be especially vulnerable given that a foreign object must puncture the skin and has a high chance of leaving debris or bacteria in the wound. Rabies is also a concern if you are unaware of the dog’s vaccination status or if it is not current on the rabies vaccine.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Compensation from a Dog Bite
The purpose of a personal injury claim, most of the time, is to recover financial compensation for your costs and losses associated with the injury. These are often referred to as damages, which can be valued based on invoices, bills, receipts, and subjective evaluations based on the victim’s experiences. Some of the common types of damages we see in a dog bite claim include:
- Medical costs
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
These values can vary significantly based on the extent of your injuries and how they impact your life. Additionally, attacks of this nature can often cause emotional trauma and symptoms of PTSD that may significantly impact the way you live your life.
We feel strongly that you should not shoulder that burden without accountability for the person responsible.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Call a Dog Bite Attorney in Salt Lake City Today
If a dog bite has injured you, you may be eligible for compensation. Siegfried & Jensen has more than 30 years of experience working with Utah injury victims, and we will work diligently to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
When you work with our dog bite attorney in Salt Lake City, you can rest a little easier knowing someone is looking out for your interests while you focus on recovering.
Our firm has the experience and connections to refer you to providers who can minimize the bills you incur or agree to wait to bill until you receive your settlement. We offer free case consultations to discuss your options. Call us today.
Call or text (801) 266-0999 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
