A dog bite can leave you facing treatment, scarring, missed work and uncertainty about what to do next. When the dog belongs to a neighbor, friend or relative, asking about a claim may feel especially difficult.
Nuttall Brown & Coutts reviews dog-bite and other dog-injury claims throughout Utah. An attorney handles accepted cases from beginning to end, examining responsibility, insurance and the injury’s consequences.
Call (801) 255-2102 for a free case review. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
What if the owner says the dog has never bitten anyone?
Utah’s dog-injury statute generally makes an owner or keeper responsible for an injury caused by the dog without requiring proof that the dog was previously vicious or that the owner knew it was vicious. A claim is not automatically defeated because the owner says the dog has never behaved that way before.
The statute includes exceptions, and fault can affect the damages recoverable. Certain law-enforcement dog incidents and qualifying trespass situations involving a dog secured within an enclosure require particular attention. An attorney should review the circumstances rather than assume every dog injury produces the same legal result.
Get care and identify the dog safely
Seek medical care promptly and tell your provider how the injury occurred. Questions about treatment, infection, vaccination information or follow-up care belong with a qualified medical professional.
If it is safe, obtain the owner’s name and contact information and a description of the dog. Report the incident to the animal-control or law-enforcement agency serving the location, and keep the report number. Do not approach or attempt to restrain an unfamiliar dog to gather evidence.
You can call us before the report is complete. Tell us where the injury happened and whether the owner or an insurer has already contacted you.
Evidence worth preserving
Keep information that helps explain both the incident and the recovery:
- Photographs of the injuries and how they change over time.
- The date, location and names of people who witnessed the incident.
- The owner’s contact information and the animal-control report number.
- Messages about what happened, including any discussion of earlier incidents.
- Damaged clothing or other belongings.
- Medical records, bills and documentation of missed work.
Save original photographs and messages rather than relying only on screenshots or a social-media post. Do not guess about facts you did not see.
When a child is injured
A child’s injury may raise questions about scarring, future treatment and changes in ordinary activities. Parents should keep treatment records and discuss ongoing concerns with the child’s providers.
A claim involving a child can also require attention to who may act for the child, how any settlement is handled and which deadlines apply. Do not assume an adult’s claim and a child’s claim follow identical procedures. An attorney can explain the requirements relevant to your family.
Does insurance cover dog injuries?
A homeowner’s or renter’s policy may be relevant, but coverage depends on the policy, exclusions and circumstances. The dog owner’s assurance that a claim is covered—or that no coverage exists—is not a substitute for reviewing the actual policy.
If you are concerned about bringing a claim involving someone you know, explain that when you call. We can discuss the available information and what would need to be investigated before you decide how to proceed.
The claim should account for the recovery ahead
Depending on the facts and applicable law, a supported claim may address treatment, future care, scarring, lost income, pain and other injury-related losses. A settlement should be considered in light of the medical picture, including any uncertainty about additional treatment.
For 40+ years, our firm has helped injured people pursue personal injury claims. We serve Utah clients from our Cottonwood Heights office.
Call (801) 255-2102. Our call service answers 24/7, and an attorney reviews your inquiry.
You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you. Ask us how case costs are handled under your fee agreement.
