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St. George Dog Bite Lawyers

Dog attacks can happen out of nowhere. The Advocates personal injury law firm is here to help victims of dog bites win their personal injury claims.

Client smiles after receiving good news on legal case

A Dog Bite Attorney Can Help Your Case 

St. George is surrounded by nature, so you will frequently see dog owners and their furry friends out and about. Most canines are harmless, but a dog attack can happen anytime, anywhere.  
The Advocates personal injury attorneys have helped thousands of people in St. George and the rest of Utah with their dog bite claims. An animal attack can inflict unprecedented pain and suffering. You might have to go to the emergency room, be left with permanent scars, or have lasting emotional trauma.  
We know for a fact that you will have to get medical attention, deal with insurance companies, and navigate the complexities of personal injury law.   
Getting fair compensation is not easy, but it is worthwhile. Call our St. George office today, and we can begin the process of representing—and winning—your dog bite case. 

The Next Steps in Your Utah Dog Bite Case

Injury

Immediately after being bitten, assess your injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Medical Records

Keep track of all treatment you receive during recovery

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate.  
Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees.  
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We do not get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.  
For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page.  

If the dog’s conduct resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.  
Your attorney will gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary.   

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime.   

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.  
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to several years. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.  

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.  
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.  

A Team of Dog Bite Professionals Assigned to Your Case 

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their injuries, and we are prepared to do the same for you.  
We can help you: 

  • Understand the claims process 
  • Investigate your accident 
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a fair resolution of your claim 

Hable con un profesional

When Should I Hire a Utah Dog Bite Injury Attorney? 

The purpose of your claim is not to inflict punitive damage against the dog owner. There is nothing retaliatory about this process. Rather, our priority is your needs and ensuring those needs are met. If a dog bites you out of the blue, you should not have to pay the medical costs. If you cannot work for a while, you should have that lost income compensated. It is unfair that this happened to you, and you have the right to whatever you need to fully recover. As St. George personal injury attorneys, it is our pleasure to help dog bite victims. This city has been our home for years. Nothing brings us greater joy than helping our fellow community members overcome their pain and suffering. It does not matter if you are a local or just visiting; if a dog bites you, then you deserve fair compensation for this violation of your person. You deserve an Advocate that will help you every step of the way.   

Utah Dog Bite Laws 

Strict liability for dog bites  

Dogs are considered property. As is the case with a car accident you cause, if your dog bites someone, you will be responsible, which is why many dog owners have an insurance policy for their canines. A lot of renters’ and homeowners’ insurance policies cover dog bites.  
According to the Utah Code, this state has strict liability for dog bites. Dog owners are responsible for the damage their dogs inflict, even if it is the first time they have bitten someone. 

The defenses against a dog bite claim 

Dog bite victims are not automatically entitled to compensation. There are situations when the dog owner might not be held accountable for their dogs. Here are two defenses a dog owner can make to prevent you from filing a claim against them:  

  • The injury or death is to another animal 
  • The injury or death occurs: 
  • On the property owner’s private property 
  • While the dog is reasonably secured within a fence or other enclosure 

Leash laws in St. George 

There are no statewide laws requiring dogs to be leashed. It varies by county and city. Salt Lake City has mandatory leashing rules unless you are in a designated off-leash area.  
According to the St. George municipal code, a dog at large is, “Any domesticated animal off the premises of the owner or custodian of the animal, and not under immediate control of the owner or custodian. In the case of a dog, immediate control shall mean on a leash, cord, chain or confined within a vehicle.”  
This establishes how owners must have immediate control over their dog. Any owner who violates the code will be subject to the following penalties:  

  • An infraction.  
  • In the case of the owner or custodian of a dog, three (3) or more different violations during any twelve (12) month period may cause the division of animal control to revoke the license of such dog for a period of one year, subjecting the dog to impoundment in accordance with section 5-2-10 of this chapter. In such event, the owner or custodian at the time of impoundment shall be barred from redeeming the dog.  
  • Restitution of the cost of all damages incurred by anyone whose person, property, or animal has been injured or destroyed by a dog or animal under section 5-2-7F of this chapter or other provision of this chapter. 

What to Know Post Dog Bite 

How long do dog bite injury claims take?  

An experienced St. George dog bite attorney will be honest with you and say it is impossible to say how long a claim takes. It could take several months or years.   
This is because each case is different. Several factors determine how long it will take: Disputes about liability, insurance companies’ settlement offers, the severity of your injuries, and the amount of time it takes to negotiate.  

What damages can I seek in my dog bite case?  

Given the unique nature of your case, even the most experienced Utah dog bite lawyer cannot say exactly what damages you can seek.    
The following are commonly sought damages in a personal injury case:    

  • Medical expenses  
  • Pain and suffering  
  • Economic damages such as lost income and loss of future earnings   
  • Non-economic damages such as emotional distress 
  • Funeral expenses for a loved one   

What is the statute of limitations for dog bites?  

Legally speaking, a dog bite claim is no different from other personal injury cases. Therefore, a dog bite victim generally has four years from the incident to file a claim.   

Steps to take after getting bit by a dog  

  • Get away from the dog 
  • Seek medical attention 
  • Obtain information about the dog owner right away 
  • Call animal control and obtain a report; if the owner is belligerent then call law enforcement and get a police report 
  • Document everything by taking pictures or videos of the dog, the injury, where the bite occurred, and any other piece of evidence 
  • Keep all documents related to the accident, such as medical bills 
  • Follow up with a doctor to ensure you have not contracted rabies or other diseases 
  • Call a personal injury lawyer to know your legal options 

The most common dog bite injuries   

Always seek medical care for dog bite injuries. Even if you do not go to the emergency room, at least see a doctor shortly after the incident. 
These are common physical injuries dog bite victims face:   

  • Puncture wounds 
  • Broken bones   
  • Eye and face injuries   
  • Scarring and disfigurement   
  • Bruising and lacerations   
  • Tissue and nerve damage  
  • Emotional trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder 
  • Wrongful death of a loved one