We know dog bite laws
If you have been injured in a dog attack, the dog bite lawyers in Arizona, California, and Colorado at Negretti & Associates can help you recover for your injuries. We know dog bite laws and are ready to help you navigate your case. You don’t have to figure things out on your own.
Compensation may be available for medical bills, future medical treatment, lost wages, therapy, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. If your dog was involved in the attack, you may also be compensated for veterinarian bills and treatment related to your pet.
Dog bites have a short statute of limitations, which means you have a smaller window of time to get your claim resolved. Reach out today for a free case consultation with a member of our team to discuss your options.
Our dog bite lawyers in Arizona, California, and Colorado are committed to ensuring you get compensated for your bite
Dog bite cases can be complicated
Each state holds dog owners to different levels of liability. Here are a few differences between dog attack laws depending on the state where the bite occurred:
Dog bites in Colorado
In Colorado, dog bite injuries fall under the “one bite rule.” This means a dog’s first bite is generally given a free pass because the owner didn’t know that the dog was aggressive. This isn’t always the case, so it’s important that you check to rule out that possibility. However, if that is the case, the owner would be held liable for any future bites, because they would know that their dog had bitten someone in the past.
Dog bites in Arizona and California
In Arizona and California, the “one bite rule” doesn’t apply. The owner can be held responsible for the very first bite, even if they didn’t know the dog was aggressive or had bitten someone in the past.
That said, there are a few situations where you still may not have a case. For example, in Arizona, the law explains that the dog owner is liable for damages when the injured person “is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place.” This means if you were trespassing on someone’s property when the bite happened, the owner may not be responsible for your injuries.
Additionally, provocation could be used as a defense in a dog bite case. In California, this means that the dog was defending itself from harassment or was being provoked before the bite.
What to do after a dog bite
In any personal injury case, it’s important to get medical treatment right away! After that, you’ll need to begin collecting evidence as quickly as possible. This is very important with dog bite injuries.
If you’ve been bitten, here are some recommended steps you’ll want to take:
- Get medical attention and clearly describe what happened to the medical professionals
- Call Animal Control and have them create a report of what happened
- Take pictures of the injury immediately after the bite occurred
- Gather the owner’s contact information and the breed of the dog
- Gather the contact information of any eyewitnesses
- Continue to take photos of your injuries throughout the healing process
In the stress of the moment, you may not have the ability to complete all of the recommended steps; however, we may still be able to help. Contact our team so that we can evaluate the situation and help you determine if your case is worth pursuing.
When you work with one of our dog bite lawyers in Arizona, California, or Colorado, you get experienced representation with proven results.
Have you been bitten?
Learn more about what to expect in a dog bite injury case in this video overview:
We’re here for you
Negretti & Associates was founded on the idea that working with an attorney should be the easiest part of the process, not the most difficult. If you want a legal team that will respond quickly and explain things in a way that is easy to understand, then our team is the right fit for you.
“My personal injury case was difficult. Every lawyer I contacted said it was too difficult and not worth the effort. With the statute of limitations quickly approaching and near hopelessness for any justice to be done, I met with Jonathan Negretti. He was a godsend!
From the moment I met with Mr. Negretti, I deeply appreciated his way of allowing me to explain my case as I saw it and I was thoroughly impressed with the questions he asked me when I was finished. He was intelligent and perceptive. He believed in me and my case and agreed to represent me.”
– Rachel E.
Find out your options
Don’t wait to start your case
Dog bites are handled differently from typical personal injury cases. If you wait too long to bring your claim, you may not be able to recover compensation. Speak with one of our dog bite lawyer in Arizona, California, or Colorado today to start exploring your options.