Utah Dog Bite Injury

If you have suffered a Utah dog bite injury and are worried about what to do next, you are in the right place. At Christensen & Hymas, we are the experts on dog bite injury. We have literally written the book on Utah dog bite injury law (see link at end of page), and helped pass crucial legislation that makes it easier for all victims to win their dog bite case. Harmful dog bites occur more than people think, and our attorneys help real people on a daily basis determine what course of action to take in pursuing a case for injury compensation. We are here to help you do the same.  

Dog bite injuries can not only be traumatic, but can leave victims with painful injuries that require expensive medical treatments and a long recovery process. Without sufficient compensation for your injuries, these obstacles can become physically and emotionally disabling. Before you meet with one of our attorneys for a case consultation, consider the following information that can help you better understand your position as Utah dog bite injury victim.

For more in depth information on dog bite injury law, visit our general page on Utah dog bite injuries.

Our Client’s Story: A Serious Utah Dog Bite Injury Case

Not too long ago, one of our clients was involved in a serious dog bite incident that perfectly illustrates the important information we have provided on this page.

Our client was visiting a close friend of hers when the friend’s dogs started fighting. When the owner went inside to break up the fight, one of the dogs escaped and ran outside at full speed. The dog then attacked our client, knocking her down and continuing to bite and claw at her.

Once the dog was finally apprehended, the results were catastrophic. Our client suffered bite wounds to her stomach, 10 deep puncture wounds in her leg, and her lower lip and chin were almost entirely bitten off. These severe injuries required ambulance transport, 3 days in the hospital, immediate plastic surgery, and continuing cosmetic surgery in the future. With so many expensive medical bills and a difficult recovery process, our client ultimately decided to file a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner.

Types of Utah Dog Bite Injuries  

The first thing you need to know is that any serious injury you sustain from a dog bite makes you eligible for personal injury compensation. There is no defined list of which injuries count and which do not. Every case is unique and deserves our consideration. However, a typical Utah dog bite injury usually results in:

• Puncture wounds
• Broken bones
• Head, neck, and facial injuries
• Hand and leg wounds
• Permanent scarring
• Emotional and psychological issues such as PTSD

These injuries can be extremely serious, and often lead to expensive surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and continuous medical care. Though you may not think suing the dog’s owner is the right thing to do, you may not be able to cover these costs out of your own pocket. If you have sustained a serious Utah dog bite injury, our attorneys can help you receive fair compensation from the at-fault party that will help facilitate your physical and financial recovery process.

Any Dog Can Attack

Many people believe that dog bite injuries are only inflicted by certain breeds of vicious dogs who are either stray or untrained. This is simply not true. Any dog can attack at any time, leaving the unsuspecting victim badly injured.

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of dog bite victims are:

• Friends
• Family members
• Small children
• Elderly

The dogs that are most likely to attack are the ones with which you interact on a regular basis. Though you may believe familiar dogs are incapable of attacking, any dog can be triggered at any moment by different things. Some things that may provoke even the most well-behaved dog are:

• Approaching it while eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies
• Approaching from behind (could be a stray or trained dog)
• Playing aggressively
• Exposing it to young children who may irritate it

Just because the dog that attacked you belongs to a friend or family member does not mean you cannot file a personal injury claim. Though it may be uncomfortable to file a claim against such a person, doing so may be the only way to pay your medical bills and other expenses after your Utah dog bite injury.

The Dog Belonged to My Friend/Family Member. Should I File a Claim?

Most people do not want to be the type of person to sue. While this is understandable, when faced with a serious injury that was not your fault, you sometimes have to face reality. Dog bite injuries can be very serious and even debilitating, possibly leaving you with several costly medical bills that are out of your price range. In this situation, filing a personal injury claim against the dog’s owner may be your best/only option.

As was said in the previous section, it can be uncomfortable to file a claim against someone that is close to you. You may be worried that something negative might happen to them or the dog. We understand how you feel. However, our first priority here at Christensen & Hymas is to make sure you are able to recover from your accident, and that means getting you the compensation you need and deserve to help cover the costs. You are our primary concern, and we recommend that you make yourself your primary concern as well.

Speak With a Utah Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today

As shown by our client’s case, any dog has the capability to attack and inflict serious injuries. It does not matter if the dog belongs to a close friend or family member, or even if the dog is supposedly well trained. Resulting injuries can be devastating, and often lead to expensive medical treatment that you likely cannot cover on your own. Though it may be uncomfortable bringing a case against a friend or family member, hiring a personal injury attorney for your Utah dog bite injury is your best option to get the compensation you need to recover.

A successful dog bite personal injury claim can help you in many ways. Some of the things you can be compensated for are:

• Medical costs (current and future)
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

At Christensen & Hymas, we understand your situation and only want to do what is right. That means putting you first and helping you recover as quickly and easily as possible. If you have sustained a serious Utah dog bite injury, contact us for a free case consultation and let us help you start the healing process.

For more information on dog bite injury, request a free copy of our book, “The Utah Dog Bite & Attack Handbook” here.

Images courtesy of Christensen & Hymas.