Personal Injury Lawsuit: Dog Bite

Dogs are man’s best friends. But, sometimes, our furry friends don’t act the way we’d like.  According to a study from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States every year, and about 800,000 of those bites require medical care. If you’ve been bitten by a dog that wasn’t yours, you may have a case for a personal injury lawsuit. Keep reading to find out more. 

What Can You Do if Your Neighbor’s Dog Bites You?

Your neighbor’s dog just bit you, and the injury is pretty severe. What do you do next? Here are some steps you should take if your neighbor’s dog bites you:

1. Wash out the wound (if you can).
2. Verify whether the dog has a rabies vaccination.
3. Go to the hospital, if necessary.
4. Call animal control to file a report of the bite. Reporting an animal bite is the law in Arizona. 
5. Talk to the dog’s owner. 
6. Contact a personal injury lawyer. 

What are the Types of Dog Bites?

There are six levels of dog bites that vary based on their depth and severity. The higher level a bite is, the more serious the injury. 

Level 1

A level one dog bite isn’t really a bite at all. It’s when a dog bites the air towards a person without actually making contact.

Level 2

The majority of dog bites are level one or level two bites. A level two bite occurs when a dog makes contact with someone’s skin without actually breaking it. This type of bite causes redness or light bruising.

Level 3

At this level, the dog’s teeth break the skin, causing bleeding. Level three bites are shallow and never deeper than the length of the dog’s canine teeth. While these bites do not present a huge physical danger, you should see a doctor if a dog’s bite breaks your skin. This is because dogs’ mouths can be full of bacteria that can cause the injury to become infected. 

Level 4

A level four dog bite is severe. The dog bites hard and often clamps down, not letting go quickly. This can cause serious bruising and damage. Level four bites are very aggressive, and dogs will use most of their strength when biting down. 

Level 5

Level five bites are level four bites on a much more severe scale. The victim may have suffered from multiple level four bites. Someone can quickly end up in the hospital because of a level five bite. 

Level 6

A dog bite reaches level six when a person dies as a result of their injuries. This is the most severe dog bite. Thankfully, fatal dog bites are not common in the United States. In 2017, 39 people died due to injuries sustained from a dog bite. 

How Much Money Can You Get From a Dog Bite Settlement?

The average settlement for a dog bite personal injury lawsuit is anywhere between $30,000 and $65,000. However, the exact amount you receive depends largely on the details of your case. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Arizona?

Arizona law requires dog bite victims to take any legal action against the dog’s owner within one year of the attack.

Get A Free Case Review

If a dog recently bit you or your child, you might have the means to file a personal injury lawsuit. Our team at Massey Law Firm will give you a free case review and talk about your options and possible next steps. We are dedicated to helping clients in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area to get the justice and compensation they deserve for their suffering. Call our office today at 602-955-0055 for your free case review.