If youโve recently been bitten by a dog in Mesa, Arizona, donโt hesitate to call Feller & Wendt, LLC at 480-573-7601 for a free consultation. The dogโs owner has to be held accountable for your injuries and other losses. Our Mesa dog bite lawyers can help you demand justice and the maximum damages you deserve.
We are a top-rated personal injury law firm determined to help accident victims and families fight back after devastating injuries. Drawing on over 70 years of combined experience, we help injured clients recover record-setting results that change the course of their lives forever.
Donโt let the dogโs owner, their insurance company, or another responsible party stand between you and the compensation you deserve. Demand the best possible outcome by putting our award-winning Arizona litigators in your corner. Reach out to our Mesa personal injury attorneys when youโre ready to get started.
Why Choose Feller & Wendt, LLC for Help After a Dog Attack in Mesa
Feller & Wendt, LLC is trusted by victims of dog bites and catastrophic injuries in Mesa, AZ, because weโre local litigators who genuinely care about the people we represent.
Our Mesa personal injury lawyers provide unmatched personalized legal representation, where youโll have access to your attorney throughout the claims process. We know how to win as fierce negotiators and arenโt afraid to say โnoโ to lowball offers and see our clientsโ cases through to trial. Our relentless pursuit of justice has yielded more than $100 million in damages.
Itโs why weโre consistently recognized as leaders in civil trial law by:
- The American Institute of Trial Attorneys
- The National Trial Lawyers
- Americaโs Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
- Premier Lawyers of America
- The American Association of Attorney Advocates
Weโve received more than 400 five-star reviews from former clients on Google, which reflects the time, energy, and passion we invest in every case we litigate. When youโre struggling with a severe dog bite injury, we can be there to help you fight for compensation that can change your life, too. Call our Mesa dog bite attorneys today to learn more in a complimentary case review.
Understanding Your Rights Under Arizonaโs Dog Bite Laws
While many states have one-bite rules or hybrid laws in place for dog bite injuries, Arizona does not. Instead, Arizona law is fairly straightforward when it comes to dog bitesโdog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their animals, even if the animal has never been aggressive in the past.
The stateโs dog bite law explains that if youโre bitten by someone elseโs dog while youโre lawfully on the premisesโwhether in public or in privateโyou can hold the dogโs owner legally responsible for your injuries. You donโt have to show that the dogโs owner was negligent (e.g., violated local leash laws) or that the dog has bitten someone in the past.
Instead, you have the right to demand compensation from the dogโs owner and receive money for your medical expenses, loss of income, and other losses.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
Many variables can impact the potential monetary value of your dog bite lawsuit, including:
- What types of injuries did the dog attack cause?
- What part(s) of the body have been injured?
- Do you require hospitalization or long-term medical care?
- Will you face a permanent impairment or physical disability?
- Do you need reconstructive surgery or plastic surgery?
- How will the dog bite injury affect your ability to work and your overall earning capacity?
- Are you being accused of provoking the dog or sharing responsibility for the dog bite in some other way?
- How old are you?
- What insurance benefits or coverages are available?
- How has being attacked by a dog affected your overall ability to enjoy your life?
The more substantial your dog bite injuries, the more your life is bound to change financially, physically, and emotionally. In turn, the more compensation you should be able to recover when you sue the dogโs owner for damages.
What Damages Can Be Awarded to Mesa Dog Bite Victims?
As the plaintiff in a dog bite lawsuit in Mesa, Arizona, you can potentially recover two types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages are designed to alleviate the financial burdens you experience because youโve been bitten by a dog.
These typically include:
- Medical bills related to emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, medications, medical devices, specialist consultations, and future treatment
- Lost wages and income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Nursing assistance
- Rehabilitation
These damages can make you whole, but wonโt compensate for the harder-to-value trauma you experience as the victim of a dog bite. Arizona permits non-economic damages to help acknowledge these types of experiences.
Commonly awarded non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of consortium
- Embarrassment
- Chronic physical pain
You could even potentially recover punitive damages if your dog bite lawsuit gets to trial. However, these damages are reserved for only the most serious situations when a defendantโs actions are clearly defined as malicious or grossly negligent.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Mesa?
There are no upfront costs to hire Feller & Wendt, LLC to handle your dog bite lawsuit. You wonโt pay our law firm a thing out of pocket. In fact, weโll only get paid for our legal services when we win compensation for your dog bite case.
Contingent representation means our fees are entirely dependent on your case results. When we win, weโre paid out of the monetary award we win on your behalf.
Can I Recover Compensation if Iโm Being Blamed for My Dog Bite Injuries in Arizona?
It is possible, but your compensation award could be affected. Arizona follows a pure comparative fault rule in personal injury cases, which means your compensation is typically reduced proportionately to your percentage of fault for your accident.
Our attorneys can help you fight back against any unfair allegations of blame (e.g., that you provoked the dog that bit you).
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Mesa, Arizona
Millions of Americans are bitten by dogs every year, half of them children. Many dog bite victims suffer injuries severe enough to warrant emergency medical care or hospitalization.
Some of the most common dog bite injuries seen in Arizona include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Eye injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Leg injuries
- Infection
- Puncture injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
Whether you, your child, or someone else was bitten by a dog in Mesa, itโs important to document the incident, report it to the local police, and seek prompt medical attention. These steps will be critical when you seek damages from the dogโs owner or their insurance company.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Arizona?
Arizona typically applies a two-year statute of limitations to dog bite lawsuits that are based on negligence. However, claims based on strict liability generally have a one-year deadline.
There can be exceptions, which most often involve situations where a child is bitten by a dog. In these cases, the statute of limitations can potentially be tolled (paused) until the child turns 18.
If you fail to file your dog bite lawsuit on time, youโll likely miss out on the opportunity to hold the dogโs owner liable for your devastating injuries.
Contact Our Mesa Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Call Feller & Wendt, LLC for help if youโve been the victim of a dog bite in Mesa, Arizona. You need time to focus on your recovery. Our experienced Mesa dog bite lawyers can help you fight to hold the dogโs owner fully accountable for your damages. Contact us at our law office in Mesa, AZ, today to learn more. Your first case evaluation is free.
