A dog bite can leave victims with significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Fortunately, Arizona law provides legal options for people injured by dangerous or uncontrolled dogs.
If you’ve suffered dog bite injuries in Tucson, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The Tuscon personal injury lawyers at the Mercaldo Law Firm is prepared to help you pursue the recovery you deserve.
Why Choose Us as Your Tucson Dog Bite Law Firm?
For over 40 years, the tireless legal advocates at the Mercaldo Law Firm have dedicated their careers to representing injury victims, with an exceptional record of success. With the Mercaldo Law Firm on your side, your case has the following advantages:
- A legal strategy that’s personalized for the unique circumstances of the attack, your injuries, and your full financial damages
- We prioritize maximizing your compensation throughout every step of the dog bite claim process
- Our history of recovering over $400 million puts a respected legal voice behind your case
We offer a free case consultation to injury victims. Then, our contingency-based payment system allows us to represent you at no cost until after we’ve first recovered your compensation.
Understanding Dog Bite Injuries In Tucson
Dogs have long, sharp teeth and powerful jaws that can cause serious harm to bite victims. Medical professionals and animal trainers measure dog bite severity on the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale. On this scale, level one bites are mild abrasions that don’t break the skin, while level five bites refer to multiple deep punctures and tears. Level six bites are those that caused fatal injury to the victim. Dog bite victims often have injuries such as the following:
- Punctures, lacerations, and abrasions
- Contusions
- Facial, scalp, and throat wounds
- Muscle and tendon injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Degloving wounds, or skin pulled away from hands or feet
- Traumatic amputation of fingers, toes, hands, or feet
Dog bites leave deep scars and sometimes facial disfigurement. Bites are also prone to infections, requiring aggressive antibiotic treatment.
Recovering Damages In a Dog Bite Injury Claim In Tucson
Unlike the handful of states with one-bite rules that require a dog attack victim to prove the owner’s negligence if the dog has no history of a previous bite, Arizona follows a strict liability rule for dog bites. Under this law, a pet owner is liable for any damages caused by their pet from the moment they take ownership or control of the pet. Common recoverable damages in a Tucson dog bite claim include the following:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs
- Anticipated future medical costs, such as for reconstructive procedures
- Lost wages
- Future income loss or reduced future earning ability
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Catastrophic injury compensation if you’ve suffered permanent harm, such as scarring, disfigurement, or loss of digits or limbs
Many dog bite victims also seek compensation for emotional trauma and the costs of therapy for PTSD, anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer In Tucson
Compensation in dog bite claims typically comes from the owner’s property liability insurance, even if the attack occurred away from the property. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not on your side and may attempt to dispute, delay, or undervalue your claim to protect their profits.
Call The Mercaldo Law Firm at (520) 624-1400 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Tucson dog bite lawyers.