A service dog is any canine trained to assist someone with a disability, including mobility impairment, mental illness, and visual or hearing impairments. They\u2019re taught to react in a specific way to assist the disabled person when necessary. A service dog may help someone use their wheelchair or aid a blind person navigating a crowded location.<\/p>\n
Service dogs are usually well-behaved and friendly. But what happens when you get attacked by one? In some cases, you may be able to seek compensation through hiring a lawyer. We\u2019ll cover some more information on service animals, followed by what to do when you\u2019re bitten by a dog.<\/p>\n
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA<\/a>), service dogs have been trained to perform tasks or do work for a disabled person. The ADA offers protections for service dogs and their owners, but you may still be able to recover compensation in the event of an attack, despite this. Although service dogs receive special training, they\u2019re still dogs and will react if they\u2019re provoked. It\u2019s important to exercise caution around service animals as you would with any other animal.<\/p>\n In the event of a dog attack, the victim must show that they didn\u2019t provoke the animal in any way, which can be a challenge. The court will then examine the evidence to determine whether provocation occurred.<\/p>\n While service dogs are trained to assist disabled people with diabetes, seizure disorders, or other issues, emotional support dogs provide companionship for therapeutic reasons. Emotional support animals aren\u2019t protected by the ADA since they don\u2019t receive training like service dogs do.<\/p>\n In general, dog owners are liable when their animal bites someone in public or attacks while the victim is legally on the owner\u2019s property. This applies even when the dog has never attacked or bitten someone previously. If the victim decides to sue the owner, the owner has one potential defense: showing that the victim provoked their dog. To determine liability, the court must decide whether a reasonable person in the situation should have expected that the dog would react by attacking.<\/p>\n Generally, the owner of the service dog will cover the costs for an attack using their insurance policy. There are several types of insurance that may offer coverage for such events, like landlord insurance<\/a>, renter\u2019s insurance, business insurance, or homeowner\u2019s insurance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re the victim of a service dog bite, you should speak to an injury attorney about your case before you make any arrangements with the owner\u2019s insurance agency. The insurance agency will always try to get away with paying as little as possible. Speaking with an attorney is a good way to determine whether the settlement offer from the agency is accurate or fair.<\/p>\n If the owner of the dog is found to be responsible for the attack, you may seek repayment for injury-related expenses after a dog bite. The owner might have to pay for your lost wages<\/a>, property damage, and medical bills from the incident. If you want to recover compensation for amounts you can\u2019t prove with a receipt, such as pain and suffering, you\u2019ll probably have to file a personal injury claim.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been bitten by a dog, it\u2019s crucial that you visit a doctor right away. Even if the injury seems insignificant, it could lead to an infection<\/a> and become much more serious later on. You should also document the incident to make filing an accident claim easier. After receiving medical care, do the following:<\/p>\n Here are some of the most common questions to consider regarding dog bites in Arizona<\/a>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been bitten by a dog, you must take legal action<\/a> to pursue compensation within the year following the attack. If you decide to wait longer than this, the claim may be dismissed and you\u2019ll lose your chance to receive benefits from the dog\u2019s owner.<\/p>\n Arizona law requires you to report a dog attack if you have \u201cdirect knowledge\u201d of one. This means that witnesses, victims, and the dog\u2019s owner all have the same responsibility to notify a county enforcement agent in the event of a bite. You can fill out a report online or call Animal Control to do so.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re attacked by a dog, you\u2019ll soon notice that medical bills can pile up fast. Filing a personal injury claim can result in receiving compensation that helps you cover these expenses. You may get financial assistance for pain and suffering<\/a>, future medical bills, lost wages from missing work, psychological help, and other costs.<\/p>\n Dog bites can have severe consequences, not just physically but mentally. Naturally, you\u2019ll wish to receive compensation for your difficulties if you\u2019ve been attacked by a dog. While the result of a service dog bite case can be unpredictable, it\u2019s best that you have proper legal counsel to increase your odds of receiving compensation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As mentioned, gather as much information as you can to prove your injury and help your case. Give our personal injury lawyer<\/a> a call today for answers to your questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nService Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals<\/h4>\n
Dog Bite Liability<\/h4>\n
What Type of Insurance Covers Dog Bites?<\/h4>\n
How to Prove an Injury<\/h4>\n
What to Do When You\u2019re Attacked by a Dog<\/h4>\n
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FAQ on Dog Bites in Arizona<\/h4>\n
Q: What is the statute of limitations on dog bites?<\/h4>\n
Q: Do I have to report a dog bite?<\/h4>\n
Q: What can you receive compensation for after a dog bite?\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured<\/h4>\n