A Level 4 dog bite under the Dunbar Dog Bite Scale is the result of a single dog bite. A Level 4 bite consists of one to four deep punctures of your skin with at least one puncture deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth.
A Level 4 dog bite is a significant injury with a high risk of infection that requires significant medical treatment, especially if the dog bite was done on a sensitive part of your body like the neck, face, eyes, or chest.
If you have been bitten by a dog in Arizona, and you require medical treatment for your injuries, Stone Rose Law can help you recover compensation for your out-of-pocket costs, including medical expenses and any related costs to repair or replace property.
Call us at (480) 631-3025 or use our contact form for a free dog bite case evaluation.
Arizona law establishes strict liability for dog owners for injuries and damages caused by their dogs. What this means is that if a dog bites another person, the owner is legally responsible for any medical bills and other related expenses.
In addition to a strict liability claim, you can 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.
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 4 dog bite injury claim:
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
| Medical bills 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, if any.
A typical dog bite settlement amount is in the low five figures; however, this can vary quite a bit depending upon all of 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.
A Level 4 dog bite involves extensive injuries.
It requires immediate medical attention and, in some cases, extensive medical treatment.
You may receive a series of anti-rabies shots as a precaution.
Under the Arizona statute of limitations for personal injury claims, you have two years from the date of the attack to file a legal claim based on negligence, and just 1-year for claims made under the legal theory of strict liability.
At Stone Rose Law, our personal injury attorneys represent victims of dog bites for all dog bite levels.
If you or a loved one has been a dog bite victim, then call our law office at (480) 631-3025, or contact us online so we can get started on your case with a free consultation.
