Take the Bite Out of Your Dog Bite Case
Have you recently been bitten by a dog or other pet? It is a stressful time filled with questions. Who is responsible, how you will pay your bills, and what are your legal options? Fortunately we have some important information to help you understand your dog bite case and steps you should take.
Compensation for Arizona dog bite cases can include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of wages from missing days of work
- Counseling, therapy, or surgery
- Other costs of care
Working with an experienced dog bite attorney should be easy and get you the compensation you deserve.
What are your rights when it comes to Arizona dog bite law?
While some states allow “one free bite,” Arizona dog bite law is a strict liability meaning you can file a lawsuit regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone or acted like it would. As the victim of an animal bite, you do not need to prove the owner was negligent in restraining the dog or preventing the attack. If the animal was under the care of someone other than the owner, that caretaker can be held responsible. Under strict liability, there are few instances when an owner or caretaker could escape liability for an animal bite.
What to do after a Dog Bite
When you meet with the Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, you will work with an experienced attorney (not a paralegal like at some law firms) who will ask you for information about the incident including medical attention you received, and will advise you on the best course of action. Immediately after the dog bite incident:
- Call the police.
- Obtain information about the dog and owner including home address, location of the attack if different than home address, and witness contact information.
- Seek medical attention immediately especially if it is unclear whether the dog has been vaccinated for rabies.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Take pictures of your injuries.
- Refrain from talking to anyone including the dog owner, owner’s insurance company and lawyer, before calling the Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer. Any contact could negative impact the outcome of your case.
- Once you’ve contacted the Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we’ll take the steps needed to investigate your claim and pull together evidence. It’s our job to protect your rights and make sure you get the result you deserve!
Commitment to Our Clients
Working with an experienced dog bite attorney means having peace of mind that you are being taken care by the best firm. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer we understand how to handle claims resulting from animal bites, Arizona dog bite law, and the importance of getting your case resolved. If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite, contact the Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer or call us at 602-535-5899 for a FREE case review.
Sometimes it can seem intimidating working with an attorney to handle your claim for your slip and fall case. It doesn’t have to be. We’ve prepared an outline of things you can expect when working with us. Our goal is to give you the information you need so that we can review your case quickly and deliver the best possible result. When you call us, you can rest assured that you’re calling an experienced team that will listen to your case and outline the best plan of attack for pursuing your claim.
1. Expectation Setting. The initial call or appointment is a free case review to gather information and establish if there is a case for your fall injury. You will talk to an experienced personal injury attorney, not a secretary or a paralegal, and we will spend time gathering the details of your case. After we review these details, we will let you know if you have a case and what the next steps are.
2. Understand fees and expenses. Every case is unique. When we work through your case, we will make sure you understand the potential costs that may be associated with pursuing your claim so that you can make an informed decision. Outside of attorneys’ fees, typical costs can include fees for obtaining medical records, police reports, court filing fees, and fees for expert opinions. These fees are rarely, if ever, out of pocket, but we will still make sure you understand them.
3. Details of the Incident. Location, date, and time of the incident as well as your account of what happened are crucial to understanding your case. We recommend writing your account shortly after the incident, or even taking photos or video if you are able. The longer you go without recording the incident, the fuzzier the events can get. We also work with witnesses to gain a clear understanding of the events.
4. Witness Contact Information. It is important to have witness contact information so we can get their account of the incident.
The sooner you call a personal injury lawyer regarding your slip & fall injury with information about the incident, the sooner we can help you get the outcome you deserve. If you or someone you know has experienced a slip and fall, contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer or call us at 602-535-5899 for a free case evaluation.
Who is Responsible for My Fall Injury?
“I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” This early 1980’s catchphrase left many laughing at the poor lady lying on the floor. When you slip and fall, it is no laughing matter. Fall injuries hurt. Your body hurts. Your time is impaired. You incur financial losses due to medical bills and time off work. Slip and fall injury situations are typically far from being clear-cut. It’s especially hard if your injury happens at a public venue or at an event. Maybe you even think you’re partially to blame. There is nothing worse than being injured and feeling as if there’s nothing you can do. However, in many situations you do have recourse, especially if you are able to act quickly in preserving the evidence for your case. The question is “Who is responsible?” The answer may not always be simple. Arizona is a pure comparative negligence state. A pure comparative negligence system compensates an injury victim based on the level of fault determined for each party. Through this system, a victim may be able to recover damages even if they were partially to blame for the accident. In Arizona, if an injury case is taken to court, a judge or jury will assign a percentage of guilt to each involved party then award damages for the injured party based on their responsibility. Even if the case is settled outside of court, an insurance adjuster may reduce your compensation if you’re partly at fault. For example, your neighbor owns a house with a backyard pool. The pool has a slide and the neighbor invites your family over to swim. Both your child and the neighbor’s climb up the pool’s slide. Suddenly, the slide breaks underneath them and your child suffers severe injuries. You pursue compensation for your child’s medical bills, pain and suffering. Your neighbor pushes blame to the slide’s manufacturer, as the slide should not have broken. But the manufacturer points out that the slide includes a warning label that states a specific weight limit and for only one person to use the slide at a time. Eventually, your neighbor’s fault is calculated at 60%, the manufacturer’s fault is determined to be 20%, and your fault is set for the additional 20% due to being a willing participant at the home and not heeding the label warnings. If your total compensation for the accident was $25,000, by the pure comparative negligence rule you’d potentially have $20,000 in damages awarded to you, the total minus the $5,000 that represents your percentage of fault.
Any negligence claim looks at the actions of all involved parties.
Did the owner of the premises act reasonably? Did the owner or an employee know previously of the dangerous situation and do nothing about it? Should they have known about it? Did the claimant take reasonable effort to anticipate the danger? Were there any obvious warnings? Was the claimant distracted or acting in a careless manner that may have made the fall more likely? The factors of each situation can determine the outcome of an injury claim. If you’ve been injured, don’t try to determine fault yourself. You need to contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer or call at 602-535-5899 for a free case evaluation.
Hit by a Car? Know Your Pedestrian Rights
You’re walking across the street and you’re hit by a car. It’s a terrible accident and it happens more than it should. It is estimated that more than 1,500 pedestrian accidents happen each year in Arizona resulting in 1,300 injuries and more than 100 fatalities. You have rights even if you were walking against the light. If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident in Phoenix, the team at Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer can help.
Arizona Law Regarding Crosswalks
Your rights and subsequent compensation are dependent on who was at fault. While there may be clear fault, there are also cases where a percentage of fault is assessed to both the pedestrian and driver. More than 800 pedestrian accidents in Arizona occur when the pedestrian is crossing a road. When there is a crosswalk, the pedestrian is allowed to cross on the traffic signal. While they should still look for traffic, it is the pedestrian who has the right of way. When there is no traffic signal, pedestrians are expected to look for traffic and cross inside a crosswalk when it is clear. Often drivers claim they had the right of way but the reality is the pedestrian often does and the driver is just distracted. They didn’t see the person crossing the road or saw them when it was too late. In this type of case, it is negligence on the part of the driver and the pedestrian is often awarded full compensation.
What if negligence isn’t clear cut?
There are cases when a pedestrian has walked against the light. This doesn’t mean they don’t have rights. In Arizona, courts use comparative negligence to determine how much the pedestrian and driver were each at fault. A percentage of fault is assigned to each. If the driver is responsible for damages, the amount will be reduced by the amount the pedestrian was also negligent. This happens most often when a pedestrian darts into traffic and the driver has no safe way of stopping or changing course. Whether negligence is clear cut or not, a pedestrian accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve including medical expenses and lost wages. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a pedestrian accident, contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer or call us at 602-535-5899 for a free case evalu
Out of Philadelphia, PA a slip and fall case against a contractor responsible for doing work on the floors at the school where she worked.
On Aug. 9, 2012, Mangano was preparing for her students’ return from summer vacation when an employee of Wargo Floors asked her to unlock a classroom door so he could continue placing new flooring through the door’s threshold, according to a civil filing in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas. Happy to help, Mangano left her office and walked down the hallway. The Wargo employee did not tell her about the transparent and slippery coating of adhesive that had been applied to the floor minutes before. Suddenly, her feet flew out from under her and she landed hard on her back.
Ms. Mangango suffered extensive injuries which persisted long after the accident, preventing her from returning to work and resulting in ongoing pain. A settlement like this addresses the fact that Ms. Mangango, who still had many years of work ahead of her, will not be unable to work for a living again. One of the reasons we pursue cases like this so vigorously is that the consequences of injuries like this may last a lifetime. In addition to diminishing her ability to work, she requires help caring for herself which means her husband has to do it or outside help must be provided. And there is the emotional distress that comes with this kind of injury – the sense of helplessness, angry, and frustration. Cases like this are exactly why Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer pursues slip and fall injuries vigorously. Because the long-term consequences can be devastating and we feel our clients deserve justice. Read the full article here.
Glendale Dog Attack
It’s always tragic when anyone is injured by a dog bite but something makes it seem worse when it’s a child. On February 17, 2015 two Glendale children were attacked by a neighbors pit bull that escaped the house and went after the kids. Thanks to a neighbor’s quick thinking, 911 was called and they were able to get immediate medical attention without any life threatening injuries. Some dogs demonstrate a pattern of unstable behavior and for others, it’s a devastating surprise when they attack. At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we see countless cases like this one. That’s why we tell people it’s important to make sure your pets are secured to keep them and your neighbors safe. The last thing someone wants to do is deal with the consequences of letting someone else get hurt and the legal repercussions that can come with it.
Prisoner Dog Bite Case Settled in Ohio
It’s not often that you hear about a law suit being filed by a prisoner for a disfiguring dog bite but that’s exactly what happened in Cincinnati, OH for Vince Doan. An article published in the Cincinnati Enquirer highlighted the details of the dog bite lawsuit. Specifically, Mr. Doan sued the correctional system for damages associated with pain and suffering since his medical expenses were covered by the state. At the Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we find this case particularly interesting because it highlights the reality that no one is immune from liability when it comes to damages for a law suit. In this case, Mr. Doan ultimately settled in exchange for dropping the law suit, a common outcome when the defendant in the suit knows that there is a lawful an valid claim. They often wish to limit their costs associated with trial and a potential higher payment later.
Did you recently slip and fall? Don’t wait to seek medical attention. An injury from fall can have long term medical consequences. It can also have legal consequences. If you think someone else was at fault, seek the counsel of a slip and fall lawyer.
5 Things Everyone Needs to Know about a Slip and Fall Slide
We all have accidents. We’ve all tripped on a curb or slipped on the floor. Here are some things you need to know for the next time you slip and fall:
- Your injuries can be more serious than you initially thought. Have you ever been in a fender bender car accident? You walk away pain-free only to experience pain hours later. It’s the same when you slip and fall. You may not feel injured just after the fall but as time passes, you realize you may have suffered an injury. If you’ve fallen in a store or on someone else’s property, seek medical attention immediately even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured.
- Report your fall immediately to the staff of the place where you’ve fallen. If you fall at someone’s home, let them know right away. Failing to report a fall could cost you in compensation later.
- Be honest about the conditions which led to your fall. During negotiations, whether in court or out of court, the owner of the property will try to prove the accident was not their fault. There were no potholes. You didn’t have lawful access to the area where you fell. They had signs posted and you went into that area anyway. That’s not to say you should back away from pursuing a claim, only that you have an understanding of what may happen.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Have you ever seen the “wet floor” signs in stores or restaurants? They are there for a reason – the floor may be wet. If you go onto that area and slip and fall, it may not be the fault of the store. They put up a sign and you either didn’t see it or chose to ignore it. Pay attention to your surroundings to avoid taking a spill.
- Call a slip and fall lawyer. If you’re not sure of the circumstances of your fall or have suffered injury from fall, consult with a slip and fall lawyer. They can review the circumstances of your case to determine the best course of action.
If you or someone you know has taken a fall, contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer or call us at 602-535-5899 for a free case evaluation.
Little Dog Bites Can Equal Big Bills
Dog bites account for $1 billion of insurance claims each year in the United States. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, you know little bites can equal big bills especially if the dog owner doesn’t want to cooperate with you in getting their insurance to cover the costs of your injury. More than likely, your insurance won’t cover a dog bite or other animal bite. It’s the responsibility of the animal’s owner. When the owner won’t cooperate to settle a claim, it’s time to call a dog bite lawyer like Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer.
What are the costs of a dog bite?
The cost of even the smallest dog bite can be higher than you think. . Cost include treatment of injuries such as:
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Tissue damage or loss
- Broken bones
- Scars
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety
Not only can injury cost you in medical claims, you may have a fear of dogs that lasts longer than a cut on your leg or arm. That’s emotional damage caused by a dog bite and you should be compensated.
What do you do right after a dog bite?
Because dog bite claims can be complicated, it’s important to gather information from the moment the incident occurs.
- If the owner is present, exchange contact information.
- Stay calm and get away from the animal.
- Assess your injuries.
- Seek medical attention.
- Take picture of injuries.
Consider contacting your insurance company to see what, if any, part of the claim they will pay and contact a trusted dog bite lawyer like Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer.
How will my dog bite claim be handled?
Our team of experts will work with you to handle your claim in a timely fashion. We will gather information regarding your case including looking into the dog’s behavior history, reviewing where the accident took place, and talking to the pet’s owner and other witnesses about the incident. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite and are wondering if you need a dog bite lawyer, contact Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer or call us at 602-535-5899 today for a free case evaluation.
