
Were you bitten by a dog in Midvale, UT? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced Midvale dog bite lawyer at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers can assist you with your personal injury claim and ensure that you recover compensation for your damages. Call us at (801) 845-0440.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, our law firm is here to help. Our lawyers are dedicated to guiding you through the legal process and fighting for the compensation you deserve. With over 100 years of experience and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered, they will put their experience and resources to work for you.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
How Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Dog Bite Incident in Midvale
For over four decades, Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers has been a trusted advocate for accident victims in Midvale, Utah. Our team has the knowledge and the dedication to help you through this difficult time. When you work with us, you’ll see why so many turn to our Midvale personal injury attorneys for help.
Here’s what we can do for you:
- Build a strong case by gathering key evidence, including medical records, photos of injuries, and witness statements
- Handle all communication with insurance companies and opposing counsel, protecting you from lowball settlement offers
- Navigate Utah’s dog bite laws, ensuring you meet all legal requirements for your claim.
- Pursue maximum compensation by calculating the full value of your economic and non-economic damages
- Take your case to trial if the responsible party refuses to settle fairly
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a dog bite accident, you need an experienced attorney who will prioritize your best interests. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you get the justice you deserve.
What is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
The value of a dog bite case depends on many things, like how serious your injuries are, how the attack has affected your daily life and the details of what happened.
For example, if you needed stitches or surgery, your medical costs will raise the value of your claim. If you missed work while recovering, lost wages will also be included. You may also receive compensation for emotional distress, which can be a big part of what you’re owed. Since every case is different, a lawyer can help you figure out what kind of compensation you might expect.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
If you’ve been injured in a dog bite accident, you might be entitled to different types of compensation, called damages. These damages are designed to help you recover from the harm you’ve suffered and may include both financial losses and compensation for more personal impacts.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the direct financial costs of your injuries. These are expenses you can add up with receipts, bills, or pay stubs. Examples include:
- Medical Bills: the cost of treatment, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and medication
- Rehabilitation Costs: physical therapy or other ongoing treatments needed to heal
- Lost Income: wages you missed out on because your injuries kept you from working
These damages are straightforward because they are tied to actual dollar amounts.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages provide compensation for the emotional and personal toll of an injury. This includes:
- Pain and Suffering: physical discomfort or long-term pain caused by your injuries
- Emotional Distress: anxiety, depression, or trauma related to the attack
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: when injuries prevent you from doing things you once loved, like hobbies or spending time with family
Because these damages are subjective, they often require careful explanation and evidence, such as testimony from medical or mental health professionals.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, Utah law allows punitive damages, which are different from the other types of compensation. These damages are meant to punish the dog’s owner if their behavior was especially reckless or intentional, like knowingly allowing a dangerous dog to roam freely. Punitive damages are rare and depend on the specific facts of your case.
Understanding what types of damages may apply to your case is key to building a strong claim. An experienced attorney can help ensure you’re seeking the full compensation you’re entitled to under Utah law.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Most personal injury attorneys, including ours, work eon a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. Instead, their fee percentage of the compensation they recover for you. This arrangement ensures that you can hire an attorney regardless of your financial situation. It also aligns our success with yours – if we don’t win, you don’t pay.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for a Dog Bite in Utah?
Even if you are being partially blamed for a dog bite accident, you may still be able to recover compensation under Utah’s modified comparative fault rule. This rule allows you to recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the incident. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
Let’s break this down with an example: Imagine you’re found to be 25% at fault because you provoked the dog. If your total damages add up to $100,000, your compensation would be reduced by 25%, leaving you with $75,000.
This system ensures that even if you made a mistake, you’re not completely barred from recovering money for your injuries – as long as your share of the fault is less than 50%. It’s important to note that determining fault can be complicated. Insurance companies may try to assign you more blame than you deserve to reduce their payout. That’s why having a skilled attorney on your side is critical.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause many types of injuries, ranging from small cuts to serious damage. Some common injuries include:
- Puncture wounds and deep cuts
- Infections like rabies or tetanus
- Nerve damage that can affect movement or feeling
- Scarring or permanent changes to your appearance
- Emotional trauma, especially for children, who may develop lasting fears or anxiety
These injuries can impact your life in many ways, both physically and emotionally. Our attorneys understand what you’re going through and are dedicated to helping you recover the full compensation you deserve.
What Causes Most Dog Bite Incidents in Midvale, Utah?
Dog bites often happen because of:
- Failure to leash or properly restrain a dog
- Negligence by pet owners who ignore signs of aggression
- Unfamiliar interactions with stray or unsocialized dogs
- Provoking behavior, whether intentional or accidental
In Utah, incidents can also arise in agricultural or rural settings, where working dogs may act protectively around livestock or property.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Utah?
In Utah, you generally have four years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. If you don’t file your case within this time, you may lose your right to seek compensation. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as cases involving minors, but they are rare and often require legal guidance.
Even if you believe you’re well within the four-year window, it’s crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Important evidence, like photos, medical records, and witness statements, can become more challenging to gather over time.
Additionally, the legal process can be complex and time-consuming, so starting early gives you the best chance to build a strong case. An attorney can ensure all deadlines are met, and no important details are overlooked, giving you the best chance to recover what you’re owed.
Contact our Midvale Dog Bite Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a dog bite accident in Midvale, don’t wait to get the help you need. At Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent over four decades fighting for injury victims just like you. Our team has the experience, resources, and dedication to handle even the most challenging cases.
We understand that a dog bite injury can feel overwhelming, both physically and emotionally. That’s why we’re here to guide you through every step of the legal process – from understanding your rights to pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Contact today for a free consultation with a Midvale dog bite lawyer. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you and help you move forward with confidence.