Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Tempe, AZ
If you've been bitten or attacked by a dog in Tempe, AZ, the aftermath can be surprisingly difficult. Beyond the physical wounds, there's the fear of infection, the possibility of scarring, and the emotional toll that comes with an animal attack. Many dog bite victims, especially children, develop lasting anxiety around animals.
Arizona is a strict liability state for dog bites. That means the dog's owner is responsible for your injuries regardless of whether the animal had a history of aggression. Our Tempe, AZ dog bite injury lawyer at Wyatt Injury Law has spent more than 10 years representing injured people in Arizona, and we handle dog bite claims on contingency so you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Choose Wyatt Injury Law for Dog Bite Cases in Tempe, AZ?
Arizona-Focused Injury Practice
Justin L. Wyatt built his law practice around one goal: recovering fair compensation for injury victims across Arizona. A graduate of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, Justin has been licensed and practicing in Arizona for over a decade. He is admitted to all Arizona state courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, the Maricopa County Bar Association, the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. Justin earned a Top 10 Jury Verdict award in 2021.
Dog bite cases in Tempe often involve homeowners' insurance policies, which have their own adjusters, their own coverage limits, and their own tactics for minimizing what they pay. We know how to handle those negotiations.
A Track Record of Recoveries
Wyatt Injury Law has helped clients recover millions of dollars across personal injury cases in Arizona. Dog bite claims can involve significant damages, particularly when the attack causes deep lacerations, nerve damage, scarring, or the need for reconstructive surgery. As a personal injury lawyer in Tempe, AZ, Justin brings the same level of effort to a dog bite case that he brings to a car accident claim or a catastrophic injury case.
No Fee Unless We Win
Every dog bite case we handle is taken on contingency. There are no retainers, no hourly rates, and no legal bills to worry about while you're recovering. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, and if we don't recover anything, you owe us nothing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Wyatt and his team (Alisa) were truly exceptional. I was already dealing with a lot emotionally after the accident, and they made the entire process so easy. They handled the case with minimal hassle on my end, which gave me the time and space to focus on my healing." – Kemirembe Anne
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Dog Bite Injury Cases We Handle in Tempe
Dog attacks vary widely in severity and circumstance. We represent victims across the full spectrum.
- Bites causing puncture wounds and lacerations. Even a single bite can cause deep tissue damage, infection, and permanent scarring. We pursue damages for the full course of medical treatment.
- Attacks on children. Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites and tend to suffer injuries to the face, head, and neck. These cases often involve significant non-economic damages because of the lasting psychological impact.
- Traumatic brain injuries. Large dogs can knock a person to the ground, and the resulting fall can cause a head injury. These cases overlap with TBI claims and require additional medical evidence.
- Attacks by loose or off-leash dogs. Arizona law requires dogs to be restrained or confined. When an owner violates that requirement and their dog injures someone, the owner is liable.
- Bites during delivery or service visits. Postal workers, delivery drivers, utility workers, and anyone lawfully on private property are protected under Arizona's strict liability statute.
- Multiple-dog attacks. When several dogs attack a person, the injuries are often severe enough to qualify as catastrophic. These cases may involve multiple owners and multiple insurance policies.
- Hit-and-run accidents. Sometimes a dog running into the road causes a vehicle accident that injures a driver, passenger, or pedestrian. Liability in these cases can be complex.
- Infections and complications from bites. Dog bites carry a real risk of bacterial infection, including staph and strep. Some victims develop cellulitis or even sepsis, requiring hospitalization and IV antibiotics.
Arizona Legal Requirements for Dog Bite Cases
Under A.R.S. § 11-1025, the owner of a dog that bites someone is liable for the victim's damages if the bite occurred in a public place or while the victim was lawfully on private property. This applies regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone before. The owner does not need to have known the dog was dangerous. That's what strict liability means in practice. It also means that breed is irrelevant. Arizona law explicitly prohibits courts from considering a dog's breed when determining liability.
There are limited defenses. Under A.R.S. § 11-1027, an owner may avoid liability if they prove the victim provoked the dog. Provocation is measured by whether a reasonable person would expect the conduct to provoke a dog. Trespassing can also serve as a defense under A.R.S. § 11-1026.
The statute of limitations for dog bite claims depends on the legal theory you pursue. Strict liability claims under the dog bite statute carry a one-year filing deadline. Negligence-based claims carry a two-year deadline under A.R.S. § 12-542. Many dog bite cases are filed under both theories, which is why consulting a dog bite attorney early matters.
Arizona also has leash laws that require dogs to be confined or restrained. Under A.R.S. § 11-1012, allowing a dog to run at large is a violation. If a dog injures you while running loose, that violation can serve as additional evidence of the owner's liability. Some municipalities in the Tempe area have additional local ordinances that impose requirements beyond what state law mandates.
The timeline for dog bite settlements varies depending on the severity of injuries, whether surgery is involved, and how cooperative the dog owner's insurance company chooses to be. In cases involving children or where reconstructive surgery is needed, it may take several months to understand the full scope of the injuries before a fair settlement can even be discussed.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Tempe Dog Bite Case?
Dog bite injuries can produce a wide range of damages, from relatively modest claims for minor wounds to substantial recoveries when the attack causes disfigurement or permanent disability.
Economic damages cover every medical cost associated with the bite. Emergency room visits, wound care, antibiotics, rabies post-exposure prophylaxis, tetanus shots, plastic surgery, and scar revision are all compensable. If the injuries keep you from working during recovery, lost wages are included. In severe cases, especially those involving nerve damage to the hands or face, long-term occupational therapy may be necessary. Arizona law also requires the dog owner to provide their contact information to the bite victim, and failure to do so can complicate their defense.
Non-economic damages address the less tangible harms. Physical pain during and after the attack, emotional distress, fear and anxiety, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of activities you participated in before the attack are all recognized under Arizona law. Children who suffer dog bites often experience nightmares, school avoidance, and behavioral changes. Pain and suffering in these cases can be a major component of the total recovery.
Punitive damages are less common in dog bite cases but may apply when an owner knew the dog was dangerous and took no steps to restrain the animal. If the owner had prior notice that the dog was aggressive and ignored it, punitive damages become a stronger possibility.
One factor that many dog bite victims overlook is the cost of psychological treatment. Adults and children who survive a dog attack often develop anxiety, fear of animals, and in severe cases, post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions may require therapy for months or years. Arizona law allows recovery for these emotional harms alongside the physical injuries, and we make sure they are included in every claim we file. Social media posts about the incident or your recovery can also affect your case. Insurance companies monitor public posts for anything they can use to minimize your injuries, so being careful about what you share online during your case is important.
Contact Wyatt Injury Law
We offer free consultations for dog bite injury cases in Tempe. There are no upfront costs and no legal fees unless we win your case.
Contact us to schedule your consultation. Wyatt Injury Law will review your case, explain your options, and help you take the next step.