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A dog bite can change your life in seconds. The pain and trauma feel overwhelming. You face medical bills while trying to recover. These incidents leave both physical and emotional scars.
At Reshlaw Accident & Injury, we help dog bite victims throughout Utah. Our law firm has secured compensation for many injured people. This guide explains what happens after a dog bite and how to protect your rights.
A dog bite starts a series of legal events that can be confusing. Utah has specific local dog bite laws that protect victims and give you the right to seek payment for your injuries.
The process often begins with filing a claim against the dog owner's insurance. Many victims make mistakes here that hurt their case. Without legal help, you might accept much less than you deserve.
You shouldn't pay for someone else's failure to control their pet. Their negligence caused your injury, and state law supports your right to full compensation.
When a dog bites someone, first focus on health and safety. Regardless of how minor the injury may appear, it's important to seek immediate medical attention. Dog bites can cause hidden damage and serious infections.
Next, inform local authorities and animal control. This creates an official record and starts the process of checking the dog's rabies vaccination status. Get a copy of this report.
Try to remain calm and document everything. Capture detailed images of your wounds, any damaged clothing, and the surrounding area. If anyone saw the attack, get their contact info, as these details can strengthen your case.
Dog bite cases fall into different groups based on how serious they are:
Minor bites: Surface wounds needing basic care
Moderate bites: Deeper wounds requiring stitches
Severe attacks: Injuries needing surgery or causing permanent damage
The bite's location, depth, and long-term effects all matter. Even small bites deserve attention as they can get infected or show the dog's aggressive tendencies. Your medical records help establish your case's severity and guide how much compensation to seek.
Utah has strict liability rules for dog bites. Unlike states with the "one bite rule," Utah holds dog owners responsible even if their dogs have never shown aggressive behavior before. It is not necessary to demonstrate that the owner was aware their dog posed a threat.
You have four years from the bite date to file a legal claim. While this seems like plenty of time, waiting makes gathering evidence harder. It's best to collect medical records and witness statements soon after the incident.
Different Utah cities have their own rules about dogs. Some have stricter leash laws or special rules about certain breeds. Our attorneys know these local variations and how they might help your case.
When a dog attacks someone, the owner faces several consequences. They may need to pay for all your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and other costs. For serious cases involving a dangerous dog with prior aggressive tendencies, the owner might also face criminal charges.
These consequences ensure you receive fair payment while encouraging dog owners to be more responsible. By holding negligent owners accountable, we help prevent future incidents and protect others from similar painful experiences.
Dog bite cases can involve both civil and criminal liability:
• Civil liability focuses on getting you compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain • Criminal liability involves penalties for the dog owner through the justice system
In Utah, criminal charges may apply when an owner knowingly kept a dangerous dog that caused serious injury. Even without criminal charges, you can still pursue compensation through a civil case.
The majority of dog bite claims are typically covered by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance. These policies typically include liability coverage that can pay for your treatment and lost wages—often between $100,000 and $300,000.
Some policies don't cover certain breeds, such as German Shepherds or dogs with a bite history. Working with our experienced dog bite lawyers ensures that all possible insurance sources are found. We check for umbrella policies or other coverage to compensate you fully.
In Utah, the dog's owner is usually liable for a bite. Under our state law, owners are responsible whether or not they know their dog might bite. This makes it easier for injured people to receive compensation.
Sometimes, others share responsibility. Landlords who allow tenants to keep dangerous dogs, property owners, or dog walkers who fail to control a dog in their care could be partly liable. We investigate each case to identify all responsible parties.
Several key factors impact your case:
Location of the bite (public space vs. private property)
Whether the dog was leashed or unleashed
The dog's bite history and known behavior
Your actions before the bite
Local leash laws and ordinances
We determine if warning signs were displayed if the dog was adequately secured, and if the owner implemented appropriate steps to prevent the bite. Our thorough investigation builds the strongest possible case for your compensation.
While Utah laws favor bite victims, a few exceptions exist where dog owners might not be responsible:
If you were trespassing on private property
If you provoked the dog by teasing or hurting it
If you were a professional handler (like a veterinarian)
If the dog was a police or military animal on duty
These exceptions are narrowly defined. Even if you think one might apply, consult with our lawyers. What seems like provocation might not meet the legal definition.
Dog bites cause more than surface wounds. Victims often face infections, tissue damage, nerve injuries, and scarring. Many people develop a fear of dogs or anxiety after an attack.
The financial impact can be severe. Emergency treatment costs thousands, while serious bites needing surgery cost much more. Add lost income from missed work and ongoing therapy costs, and the burden becomes overwhelming for many injured people.
Good medical records form the backbone of any successful claim. Keep detailed records of all medical visits and treatments. Follow your doctor's advice precisely. Take regular photos showing your injuries as they heal.
We work with medical experts who can explain your injuries, required treatments, and long-term outlook. Their professional opinions help link your injuries directly to the dog bite and justify the compensation we seek on your behalf.
Serious dog bite cases often involve costs that continue for years. You might need:
Multiple reconstructive surgeries for scarring
Physical therapy to restore function
Psychological counseling for trauma
Ongoing medical assistance
Our team works with experts to calculate these long-term costs. We make sure any settlement covers not just current bills but all future expenses related to your injury.
After a dog attacks someone, it is typically quarantined, usually at the owner's home or animal control. This allows authorities to monitor for signs of rabies and evaluate the dog's behavior.
For first-time incidents with minor injuries, a well-behaved dog may return to its owner after quarantine with certain rules. But if the dog has shown aggressive behavior before or caused severe harm, authorities might label it as dangerous. This can lead to strict containment requirements or even euthanasia.
Utah requires a 10-day quarantine for dogs involved in bite incidents, even with a current rabies vaccine. This waiting period is crucial for public health, as it allows time to check whether the dog shows disease signs that could affect your treatment.
Animal control officers investigate the incident, document the dog's condition, and enforce quarantine rules. They also check if the dog is properly licensed and vaccinated. Their reports become valuable evidence in your case.
Dogs that cause serious injuries or show a pattern of aggression may be classified as dangerous under state law. This happens after an investigation and sometimes requires a hearing where both the dog owner and the injured party can present evidence.
A dangerous dog designation places strict rules on the owner. They might need special insurance, secure fencing, muzzles in public, warning signs, or they might need to surrender the dog. For your claim, this classification helps establish the seriousness of the threat and supports arguments for higher compensation.
Dog owners often claim you provoked the dog, trespassed, or assumed risk through your actions. They might point to warning signs or argue that their dog has never shown aggressive behavior before.
We at Reshlaw anticipate these defenses and develop strategies to counter them. Experienced legal representation is crucial to overcoming these defense tactics. Our attorneys have handled many dog-bite cases and know how to address each argument.
Strong evidence makes a successful claim. Beyond medical records and photos, other valuable evidence includes:
Witness statements from people who saw the attack
Torn clothing showing bite force or location
Previous complaints about the dog
Animal control reports
Evidence about the dog's training or lack thereof
Our team helps gather this evidence. We interview witnesses while their memories are fresh and build a comprehensive picture that supports your right to compensation.
Insurance companies try to settle dog bite claims quickly and cheaply. They might offer a fast payment that seems helpful when you're facing bills, but these initial offers rarely cover all your damages.
They may question your injuries, suggest you provoked the dog, or claim other conditions caused your pain. They count on your lack of legal knowledge to accept less than you deserve.
We handle all insurance communications for you. Our attorneys know the true value of dog bite claims and won't let insurers pressure you into poor settlements.
You have four years from the bite date. Start the process soon while the evidence is fresh.
Yes. The claim typically goes through their homeowner's insurance, not directly from their pocket.
Payment varies depending on the severity of the injury but typically includes medical expenses, lost wages, and pain. Minor bites might bring $10,000-$25,000, while severe cases can reach six figures.
Even minor bites can develop complications. Insurance companies rarely offer fair settlements to people without lawyers. Our free consultation helps you understand your options.
If you've been bitten by a dog in Utah, we can help. At Reshlaw Accident & Injury, we offer free consultations to bite victims. Our contact details are below.
We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win. Our experienced dog bite lawyers have helped many injured people secure fair compensation. Call us today to discuss your case and start your journey toward recovery.
