What Are My Rights If I Am Bitten By a Dog In Utah?

Both children and dogs can be impulsive, as many parents of small children and dog owners both know. Sometimes a dog will lash out and bite a child, causing serious injuries. Even if the dog’s owner is a neighbor or friend, there are still medical bills to be paid. For this reason, some parents in Salt Lake City whose child was bitten by a dog may want to learn more about their rights and options.

Strict liability

Utah law holds dog owners strictly liable for dog bites. This means that dog owners may be required to compensate bite victims, without the victim having to prove the dog was vicious or mischievous or, conversely, even if the dog owner did not know that their pet was vicious or mischievous.

Arbitration

If a person is bitten by a dog and suffers injuries, they may choose to go through arbitration rather than litigation. Arbitration awards cannot exceed $50,000 in addition to any medical premise benefits. A dog bite victim who chooses to pursue arbitration against the dog’s owner waives the right to obtain a judgment against the dog owner’s personal assets and is limited to compensation only against the available limits of insurance coverage. Punitive damages cannot be sought through arbitration. The arbitrator will issue a final decision in writing, and any arbitration award issued will constitute the final resolution of all bodily injury claims between the dog bite victim and the dog’s owner.

Learn More About Dog Bite Cases In Utah

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but they are animals and thus may lash out and bite. This post is for educational purposes only and does not contain legal advice. Those who have suffered serious dog bite injuries may find our firm’s website on this topic to be a useful source of information.