Free Consultation: 801.499.5060
SERVING UTAH, IDAHO, AND ARIZONA
Free Consultation: 801.499.5060
CLICK TO CALL

Ogden Dog Bite Attorney

Every Ogden dog bite attorney at Feller & Wendt, LLC knows how devastating a dog bite can be. If a dog attacked you or a loved one in Utah, you might be nursing serious injuries that will leave permanent scarring or disfigurement – as well as non-physical scars and emotional damage. You might deserve financial compensation if someone else’s pet bit you. Our personal injury lawyers have experience handling dog bite claims in Ogden and the surrounding area. We can help you fight for fair recovery if a dog injured you or killed one of your family members.

Utah Dog Bite Laws

Utah has special statutes and doctrines regarding dog bites. Utah Code Section 18-1-1 outlines these laws. In this state, two main laws determine if and when a dog bite victim can file a claim in pursuit of damage recovery: scienter and strict liability. Scienter, the Latin term for “knowingly,” refers to a dog owner’s responsibility for the actions of his or her domestic animal. Scienter is the traditional statute that makes a pet owner liable for damages. In Utah, the law supplements scienter with a strict liability dog bite statute.

A strict liability dog bite law means that a dog owner or keeper will be legally responsible for the victim’s damages whenever a dog bites a person – even if the owner had no reason to believe that the dog was capable of attacking. This is in contrast to the “one bite rule” that many states have in place, which states that an owner will only be liable if the dog had previously bitten a person, giving the owner reason to suspect the dog’s vicious propensities. In Utah, it does not matter whether the dog had bitten someone in the past. It only takes one bite for the owner to be liable.

The Utah dog bite statute states that “every person owning or keeping a dog” will have to pay the damages for injuries the dog commits. The law does not require that the victim allege or prove that the dog had a vicious streak or that the owner was negligent. The victim must only show that the dog caused his/her injuries. The only time an owner might not be liable is if the dog was a police animal and if the dog attacked while on the job. A victim can also file a claim against an owner on the grounds of negligence if he or she can prove that the owner/keeper was negligent in preventing the bite. For more information regarding dog bite laws in Utah, speak with an Ogden personal injury lawyer experienced in dog bite claims.

Feller & Wendt, LLC | Local Ogden Dog Bite Lawyers

Going up against a pet owner for a dog bite can be difficult. The owner will generally do everything he or she can to avoid liability, including alleging that you were partially at fault for the incident. Common defense strategies can include stating that you provoked the attack or that you were trespassing. Hiring an Ogden dog bite attorney to represent you and your family can ensure that the defendant does not evade liability through use of a defense. Our firm can help gather evidence regarding the animal attack and file your claim on the grounds of Utah’s dog bite statute, negligence, premises liability, or other legal doctrine. Contact us today for a free dog bite consultation in Ogden, Utah.

Download Our App