A Level 3 dog attack under the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale is the result of a single dog bite that consists of one to four punctures.
The Dunbar Dog Bite Scale is a widely-used method to classify the severity of a dog bite incident.
In this post, we cover what can happen under Arizona law in the aftermath of a Dunbar Scale Level 3 dog bite incident.
If you have been the victim of a dog bite incident in Arizona, Stone Rose Law can help you receive the compensation you need for your medical expenses and other related costs. Call us at (480) 631-3025 to speak with an experienced Arizona personal injury attorney.
A Level 3 dog attack under the Dunbar scale is the result of a single dog bite. A level 3 bite consists of one to four punctures. Small tears often appear on the skin because victims usually instinctively pull away upon being bitten.
Other characteristics of a Level 3 bite include:
Sometimes, a Level 3 dog bite can result in a bacterial infection like Capnocytophaga, Streptococcus, or Pasteurella.
Local symptoms of a dog bite infection can include:
Signs that the infection may have spread beyond the point of puncture include fever, shaking, and night sweats.
Rabies is a viral infection that can be transmitted into a puncture wound through an infected dog’s saliva.
Arizona law establishes strict liability for dog owners for injuries and damages their dogs cause. This means that if a dog bites another person, the owner is legally responsible for any medical bills and other related expenses.
Combined with a strict liability claim, you can also file a personal injury lawsuit based on the negligence of the owner or the person who was in control of the dog at the time of the attack.
Most people, however, will rely on strict liability if they file a lawsuit because you do not have to prove there was any negligence on the part of the dog owner, and will usually add a negligence claim in addition to a strict liability claim.
In a personal injury claim, the recovery you seek will take the form of money damages, paid from insurance coverage or from a judgment award.
These damages come in two types: economic damages and non-economic damages.
The table below provides some examples of economic and non-economic damages you might be able to recover in a successful Level 3 dog bite injury claim:
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
| Medical bills for physical injuries Funeral and burial costs Value of lost wages and benefits Repair or replacement for property damage or loss | Pain and suffering, and mental anguish Emotional trauma Anxiety and depression Possible recovery of punitive damages |
When calculating how much you can receive from a dog bite settlement, consider the following factors:
Factors that can affect the value of a wrongful death settlement after a dog bite include:
In Arizona, most dog bite claims settle out of court. The settlement payout funds are usually provided by the dog owner’s home insurance or general liability insurance.
A typical dog bite settlement amount is in the low five figures. However, this can vary considerably depending on the circumstances and factors above.
If you receive dog bite puncture wounds requiring extensive medical treatment, or if you lose a loved one to fatal injuries, then the settlement sum can be hundreds of thousands of dollars or more for a wrongful death claim.
Because it involves puncture wounds, a Level 3 dog bite will often require medical attention. Sometimes, this will include antiviral medications or antibiotics if the dog has an unknown vaccination history.
Under the Arizona statute of limitations for personal injury claims, you have two years from the date of the attack to file a negligence claim. The statute of limitations is only 1-year for strict liability claims.
At Stone Rose Law, our personal injury lawyers represent family members in dog bite settlements for all dog bite scale levels. We can make sure you receive the fair compensation you deserve if a dog bite occurs to you.
If you or a loved one have been a dog bite victim, call Stone Rose Law at (480) 631-3025 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our dog bite attorneys.
