Have you been injured in a dog bite incident in St. George, Utah? Feller & Wendt, LLC can help when you call (801)-421-3132. The firm offers a free consultation with a St. George dog bite lawyer who can explain your legal options and whether you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Dog bite injuries can lead to serious medical expenses, time away from work, and lasting physical or emotional harm. If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, a lawyer can review the details of your case and help you understand potential claims for medical bills, lost wages, pain, trauma, and other related losses.
Why Should I Count on Feller & Wendt, LLC To Help Me Recover Compensation After a Dog Bite Injury in St. George?
To recover compensation after a dog bite, you’ll likely have to deal with insurance or file a lawsuit. Either way, recovering fair compensation can be challenging. Our team at Feller & Wendt, LLC is prepared to provide the top-quality legal representation you deserve.
Clients in St. George, UT, choose us because:
- Our attorneys have over 70 years of experience handling personal injury cases.
- Our case results include over $100 million in settlements and verdicts recovered on behalf of injury victims.
- Our personal injury attorneys have been recognized among America’s “Top 100” High Stakes Litigators. We’ve also been recognized among the Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms for our success over the years.
Are you ready to learn more about how we can help? Call our St. George personal injury attorneys for a free consultation today.
Statistics on Dog Bite Injuries in the U.S.
Dog bites are incredibly common. Every single day, roughly 1,000 Americans visit emergency rooms to receive treatment for dog bite injuries. While many victims are simply treated and sent home, many other victims require extensive medical care and ongoing treatment.
Over 12,000 Americans are admitted to hospitals with dog bite injuries each year.
What Is My St. George Dog Bite Case Worth?
Every personal injury case is different. The important thing to remember is that you only have one chance to recover fair financial compensation for your injuries. It’s important that your compensation award accounts for any current and anticipated long-term losses associated with the dog bite injuries.
Additional factors that our attorneys will assess as we’re calculating how much you deserve include:
- The extent of your injuries
- Your total medical treatment costs
- Your current lost wages
- Whether your earnings will remain impaired after you reach maximum medical improvement
- How the dog bite and trauma will impact your quality of life
- Your age at the time of the attack
- Your expected future medical costs
- Whether provocation is a legitimate defense
- The circumstances of the dog bite
Our St. George dog bite attorneys will carefully evaluate all available evidence. In cases involving complex and contested issues, we’ll often bring in experts who can testify and offer insight about difficult aspects of the case.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in St. George?
Dog bite victims can recover the same types of compensation that are available to car accident and other personal injury victims. Your compensation award should include both economic damages and non-economic damages.
Some common examples of economic damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Mental health treatment
Non-economic damages are much more subjective. Animal attacks can be incredibly traumatic. Many victims struggle with PTSD and other long-term mental health issues.
Examples of non-economic damages that may be available include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Fear
- Damage to relationships
As the victim, you have the burden of establishing the value of the damages you’ve suffered. Insurance companies won’t automatically hand over the fair amount you deserve. Instead, they’ll go to great lengths to minimize your losses and undervalue your case.
Your attorney’s job is to protect your interests by fighting back against unfair and manipulative insurance tactics. Our lawyers in St. George know every trick in the insurance company’s book.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer To Handle a Dog Bite Case in St. George?
You don’t have to worry about the cost of hiring a top-rated personal injury law firm. Our team at Feller & Wendt, LLC, works on a contingency fee basis.
Here’s how it works:
- There are no upfront fees or costs to hire our attorneys
- There are no hourly rates to worry about
- You only pay attorneys’ fees when your attorney recovers compensation in your case
Your attorneys’ fees are a percentage of your settlement or verdict. That means your attorneys’ fees will depend on how successful your attorney actually was in your case.
Can Utah Shared Fault Laws Impact My Right To Recover Damages for Dog Bite Injuries?
Utah follows modified comparative fault laws. Under Utah law, you can only take home part of your compensation if you share some fault for the dog bite. If your share of fault is found to be more than 49%, you lose your right to compensation completely.
Typically, provocation is the defense that will trigger the application of this law. Dog owners often claim that the victim did something to provoke the dog to bite. If the defense can prove that you did something that a reasonable person would expect to provoke a dog’s attack, your compensation can be reduced.
Our Attorneys in St. George Are Prepared To Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs can cause a significant amount of damage when their owners fail to keep them properly secured to prevent harm.
At Feller & Wendt, LLC, we handle all types of dog bite injury claims, representing victims who have suffered a range of injuries, including:
- Deep puncture wounds and torn skin
- Broken bones
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Shoulder and joint injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Severe infections, which can lead to sepsis and amputations in extreme cases
- Paralysis
Prompt medical treatment and wound care are important after a dog bite injury. Emergency medical care may also be required.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After a Dog Bite Injury in Utah?
Every state has its own set of laws that govern situations like dog bites and animal attacks. For dog bite cases, Utah is classified as a strict liability state.
To recover damages, you must prove:
- The defendant was responsible for the dog, so had a legal responsibility for the dog
- Their dog bit or attacked you
- You were injured and suffered damages as a result
Dog bite victims are not always required to prove negligence to recover damages for dog bite injuries. That said, negligence theories may be relevant in your case. When a dog’s owner allows the dog to roam free or fails to take reasonable steps to secure the animal, they can be liable when the dog injures another.
Can Third-Party Liability Be Relevant to a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Utah?
It’s possible. A third party may be responsible for your damages if the dog bite occurred on their premises. Property owners have legal responsibilities when it comes to keeping their premises safe.
You may have a valid premises liability claim if:
- The property owner knew, or reasonably should have known, that a dangerous dog was present on the property
- They failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the dog attack and the resulting injuries
- You can prove that you suffered damages as a result
Premises liability claims can be extremely challenging. If you were bitten by a dog while visiting a business or public space, it’s critical to hire an experienced attorney who can protect your rights.
Our team at Feller & Wendt, LLC, is always available to discuss your case and options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to start the legal process.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Utah?
The statute of limitations for most Utah personal injury victims is four years. You have four years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. After four years have passed, you’ll have forfeited your right to pursue compensation from the dog’s owner and other responsible parties.
Contact a Seasoned St. George Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Do you have questions about your right to compensation after a dog bite in St. George, Utah? Our team at Feller & Wendt, LLC is well-equipped to fight for the money you need and deserve. Call today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced St. George dog bite lawyer.
