Utah Dog Bite Accident Lawyer
Utah has some of the country’s most comprehensive dog bite laws. This is good news for animal attack victims facing life-altering injuries. They are almost always entitled to compensation in the Beehive State.
Despite this fact, getting the compensation you deserve isn’t always easy. A Utah dog bite lawyer can help you hold the dog owner accountable and pursue maximum compensation for your damages.
Why Choose Feller & Wendt LLC™ as Your Utah Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog attack can turn your life upside down in an instant. You may face multiple surgeries, experience lasting trauma, and miss significant time from work. You deserve fair compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. Feller & Wendt, LLC™, is here to help you seek the compensation and justice you need to start moving forward after a dog bite injury.
Extensive Experience in Dog Bite Cases
Our team has over 70 years of combined experience advocating for injured people and their families. Our energetic, trial-tested Utah litigation lawyers have represented countless dog-bite victims throughout the state.
Unmatched Client Service and Compassionate Support
We recognize the deeply personal nature of your animal attack case. Our Utah dog bite lawyers will get to know you and learn about your case’s unique circumstances. We’ll take the time to understand how your injury has affected you and then use the connection we’ve built to better advocate for your needs.
We provide personal attention at every stage of the legal process. When you hire our team, we’ll give you our attorneys’ cell phone numbers so you can have a direct line to the person who knows your case best. We also have Spanish-speaking attorneys to provide representation in your preferred language.
Proven Case Results and Success
Our 99 percent success rate in Utah personal injury cases means we have a proven track record of getting our clients the compensation they deserve. We attribute these results to our aggressive approach to protecting clients’ rights.
A Reputation Built on Trust and Results
Trust is everything after a life-altering dog attack. “Our Family Protecting Yours” is a promise you can count on.
Free Consultations and No Fees Unless We Win
It costs nothing to explore your rights and options with our attorneys. We also charge zero out-of-pocket fees for our legal services. Our fee is a percentage of your compensation, so you have nothing to lose by hiring our law firm.
These are some of the client testimonials our attorneys have received:
Understanding Utah Dog Bite Laws
Utah follows a strict liability standard in most dog bite cases. That means a person who owns or keeps a dog—including a pet sitter in some cases—is liable when their dog injures or kills another person. In other words, if their dog bites someone, they’re responsible for the victims’s damages.
Many states have a one-bite rule that considers a dog’s bite history when determining liability. Utah doesn’t have such a law, so a dog owner is liable regardless of whether their dog has previously bitten someone.
There is an exception to Utah’s strict liability rule. Generally, neither the government nor a law enforcement officer is liable when a dog bites while performing law enforcement-related tasks.
Damages Victims May Be Entitled To Collect
You may be entitled to compensation for any losses you’ve suffered from the dog attack. Common dog bite damages include the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages for the work you missed while recovering
- Lost earning capacity for the injury’s long-term impact on your ability to work
- Disability-related expenses for permanent injuries resulting from a dog attack, such as home and vehicle modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Time Limits for Filing Claims
Utah’s statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is normally four years. That means you must file your lawsuit within four years of your injury date.
If you miss the filing deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation. Exceptions apply in rare cases, but it’s best to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Why Hire a Utah Dog Bite Lawyer
While Utah law generally entitles you to compensation when someone else’s dog attacks you, getting the compensation you deserve can be challenging. The insurance company may try to minimize your compensation by arguing that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim or that you were partly responsible for the attack.
You’re likely entitled to more money than you realize. When you turn to our law firm, we’ll seek maximum compensation on your behalf while you focus on your recovery. We can calculate your claim’s true value and fight for the full extent of your damages.
Our investigation skills can be critical assets in identifying who’s liable for your injury. This can be particularly beneficial if the bite involved a loose dog or the owner fled the scene. We can investigate the attack’s circumstances and gather evidence to support your claim.
After we build a strong case for you, we’ll negotiate with the insurance company and protect you from its tactics. We won’t back down when the insurer tries to push for less money than you deserve. Our team isn’t afraid to take the case to trial if necessary to achieve a fair outcome.
Our Utah Office Locations
169 W 2710 S Cir. #202-A
St. George, UT 84790
(By Appointment Only)
Common Defenses in Utah Dog Bite Cases
The dog’s owner may argue that you provoked the dog to bite you. While this may be true in rare cases, it still wouldn’t prevent you from recovering compensation. Utah’s modified comparative negligence law allows you to recover compensation if you’re less than 50 percent at fault for your injuries.
Another common defense is the assumption of risk, which means you knowingly put yourself in a situation where a dog could bite you. Due to Utah’s strict liability law, this argument generally doesn’t mitigate the owner’s liability.
The owner may also try to argue that they’re not liable because the dog had no prior history of aggression. Some states have a one-bite rule, allowing owners to escape liability if their dog has never bitten anyone before. However, a dog’s bite or behavioral history doesn’t affect liability under Utah law. A dog owner may be liable for injuries the first time their dog attacks someone.
The dog’s owner may argue that you provoked the dog to bite you. While this may be true in rare cases, it still wouldn’t prevent you from recovering compensation. Utah’s modified comparative negligence law allows you to recover compensation if you’re less than 50 percent at fault for your injuries.
Another common defense is the assumption of risk, which means you knowingly put yourself in a situation where a dog could bite you. Due to Utah’s strict liability law, this argument generally doesn’t mitigate the owner’s liability.
The owner may also try to argue that they’re not liable because the dog had no prior history of aggression. Some states have a one-bite rule, allowing owners to escape liability if their dog has never bitten anyone before. However, a dog’s bite or behavioral history doesn’t affect liability under Utah law. A dog owner may be liable for injuries the first time their dog attacks someone.
Utah Dog Bite FAQs
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite in Utah?
If you have been attacked by a dog in Utah, take these steps to protect your health and right to fair compensation:
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Document the incident by taking photos of your injuries and any relevant details, such as open gates. Gather witness information, and write down what happened while your memory is fresh.
- Report the incident to your local animal control or health department.
- Contact a Utah dog bite attorney to discuss your next steps.
Can I Get Punitive Damages for a Dog Bite Injury?
In rare cases, judges may award punitive damages to punish an extremely negligent defendant. You may be eligible for these damages if the dog owner intended to harm you or showed extreme recklessness and disregard for your safety—such as if the dog owner intentionally trained their dog to attack people.
Is It Required To Report a Dog Bite in Utah?
Many Utah cities have laws requiring you to report a dog bite. For instance, Salt Lake City requires all parties to report the bite to the Office of Animal Services or the Valley Health Department within 24 hours. The parties required to report a bite include the victim, dog owner or keeper, witnesses, and the doctor who treats a dog attack victim.
What Factors Determine the Amount of Dog Bite Claim Compensation?
Your compensation for a dog attack claim will depend on factors such as injury severity, insurance availability, and whether you’re partially at fault for the incident.
What if a Child Didn’t Know They Were Provoking a Dog?
Utah’s strict liability for dog bites prevents children from bearing responsibility for provoking a dog. The law allows you to seek compensation for your child’s injury, even if their actions may have provoked the dog.
Can You Sue a Dog Owner When Their Dog Bites Your Dog?
Possibly. Dog owners and keepers are usually strictly liable when their dog bites another animal. However, the law makes an exception if the animal that was bitten had entered without consent while the dog was in an enclosed space, such as a fenced-in yard.
Can I Recover Damages From a Minor Dog Bite Injury?
Yes, you may seek compensation for dog bite injuries of any severity in Utah.
Will the Dog Be Put Down if I File a Utah Dog Bite Lawsuit?
Not necessarily. Utah law doesn’t require a dog to be euthanized for biting someone. However, depending on the circumstances, local authorities may decide to put the dog down.
Either way, a report to the authorities may prompt euthanasia. Filing a lawsuit won’t affect a dog’s fate.
What if the Dog Owner Doesn't Have Insurance?
We usually try to seek compensation from the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance policy after an animal attack. If the dog owner doesn’t have insurance, we may file a lawsuit against them directly. This move allows us to seek compensation from their personal assets.
Rely on Feller & Wendt LLC™ as Your Utah Dog Bite Attorney
Feller & Wendt, LLC™, is ready to start building a strong case proving your damages after an animal attack. If a dog has bitten you or someone you love, contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your rights.
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*This information provided by Feller & Wendt, LLC™ is for informational purposes only and should be in no way construed as legal advice.
