Ogden Dog Bite Lawyers

Dog Owners Can Be Held Liable for Their Animals’ Actions

Were you attacked by an aggressive dog and suffered a serious injury for it? Were you also left traumatized by the attack and now have a fear of all dogs? It sounds like you should be filing a dog bite lawsuit against that dog’s owner to help you find compensation and a sense of closure, which could help you move on.

Lowe Law Group has a team of Ogden dog bite attorneys who can help you explore your legal options after suffering from an animal attack. We are backed by extensive legal experience that allows us to manage all types of cases, from the straightforward to the complex.

Utah Dog Bite Law

Under U.C.A. 1953 Section 18-1-1, the law states that anyone who owns or keeps a dog can be held liable for any injuries that the dog causes to others. Whether or not the dog owner knew the animal would or could act aggressively in the situation is irrelevant. Utah uses a strict liability law, so the owner can almost always be held liable for the harm their dog causes, even if that harm is not caused by a bite.

Damages Available in a Dog Bite Claim

The value of your dog bite claim will be based on the total of the damages you have incurred or suffered because of the dog attack. Our Ogden dog bite lawyers are here to help maximize the value of your case, so you don’t risk leaving any compensation behind or unclaimed.

You could be compensated for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Permanent scarring
• Vet bills if your pet was attacked
• Pain and suffering
• Trauma-related damage

Do Dogs Have the Right to Defend Themselves & Others?

A common defense to dog bite claims is that the dog was defending itself or its owner from provocation or physical abuse. In other words, if you were hurting the dog and not out of self-defense when you were bitten, then your dog bite claim might not get far.

Utah uses a modified comparative negligence rule for civil injury claims, which means you cannot recover any damages if you are at least 50% at fault for your own injuries. A court could decide that you were 50% liable for the dog attack because you provoked or hurt the animal until it retaliated. If this happens, then your case will fail. It is important to always be honest and upfront with your dog bite attorney, so they can tell you early on if they think your claim is worth pursuing based on the preliminary facts of what happened.

Call Our Firm to Learn More About Dog Bite Claims

Our Ogden dog bite attorneys can help you file and manage a dog bite claim against a neighbor, stranger, or even a friend or family member. When the defendant is someone you know, we always tread carefully to move the case forward in your favor without destroying your relationship with that person. Utah does not require a dog to be put down if it bites someone, so we can even try to assuage any worries you might have about the dog being put to sleep when you would prefer it only go through a behavioral training program. The bottom line is that we are here to help you pursue compensation and find moral support when you need it.