Utah has strict liability laws for dog bites. Utah law explicitly makes the owner of the dog liable for any bite accident. If the dog attacks or bites someone, the dog owner is responsible. The victim does not have to prove that the dog owner was negligent. However, the dog owner is not responsible if the victim was trespassing, tormenting, or teasing the dog.
A “keeper” of the dog can also be liable for a dog bite accident. For example, if the dog’s owner leaves the dog with a parent or family friend while they are out of town. If the dog attacks someone, they are now liable.
Also, a “harborer” of the dog can be liable when a bite or attack occurs. A harborer is someone who controls the place they reside. For example, if the dog owner lives with their parents, the parents are harborers. A harborer could also be a landlord.
What to do After a Dog Bite?
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog and sustained an injury, there’s a couple of actions you should take, these being:
Seek Medical Attention
Seeking medical help is extremely important if you have a wound from a dog bite. If left untreated, a dog bite can cause an infection and even more severe complications, including death, if the dog had a disease.
Seek Legal Advice
After you have obtained medical treatment for your wound, it would be in your best interests to consult with an attorney—particularly one that is experienced in dog bite cases. They will be able to gather any necessary information to let you know if you have a legal claim against the dog owner. If you do, you will be able to pursue compensation for any emergency medical care, hospitalization, doctors’ visits, ongoing care, lost wages, and emotional pain and suffering.
We’re here to help. This system is placed to help cover victims of dog bites, to protect them. Let us step in so that you don’t have to suffer additional burdens after already suffering the accident and its injuries. Call Utah Attorneys today to ensure maximum compensation, so you can get back to feeling safe again.
