Arizona is one of the better states to be a dog bite victim in, legally speaking. A.R.S. § 11-1025 imposes strict liability on dog owners — you don't have to prove the owner knew their dog was dangerous or had ever bitten anyone before. The bite itself establishes liability, which gives injured victims a cleaner path to compensation than in states with a "one free bite" rule.
What that compensation is actually worth depends on several factors that vary considerably from case to case.
What an Arizona dog bite claim can recover
Medical expenses are the most straightforward: ER visits, surgery, wound care, reconstructive procedures, and any future treatment your doctors say you'll need. Dog bites cause serious infections, nerve damage, and disfigurement that can require care long after the initial wound heals.
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity are recoverable if the attack kept you out of work or affected your ability to do your job going forward. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD are real and compensable — particularly in attacks that happen suddenly and violently. Scarring and disfigurement, especially facial scarring, can represent a substantial share of a claim's total value. Children who are bitten typically receive higher non-economic awards because the psychological impact and permanent scarring affect them for decades. Property damage (torn clothing, broken glasses or hearing aids) rounds out the picture.
What shapes the settlement number
Nationally, the Insurance Information Institute has reported average dog bite payouts exceeding $64,000. Serious attacks with deep tissue injuries, facial scarring, or attacks on children regularly produce six-figure settlements. But those averages don't tell you what your case is worth.
Severity and location of the injury matter most — facial and hand injuries tend to produce higher awards than injuries to less visible areas. The victim's age affects long-term prognosis and psychological impact. Available insurance coverage sets a practical ceiling; most dog bite claims run through the owner's homeowner's or renter's policy. And Arizona's comparative fault rule (A.R.S. § 12-2505) can reduce your recovery if you're found partly responsible — provocation is the most common argument owners raise. More on how that works in our post on Arizona comparative negligence law.
The statute of limitations
You have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit (A.R.S. § 12-542). Government entity involvement — a dog owned by a municipality or its employee — triggers a shorter 180-day Notice of Claim deadline. Acting quickly also preserves evidence: medical records, wound photos, witness contact information, and animal control reports are all easier to gather close to the incident.
What to do immediately after a bite
Get medical attention even if the wound looks minor — infections from dog bites can become serious within hours. Report the bite to animal control; this creates an official record. Photograph your injuries before wounds begin to heal. Get the owner's contact information and ask whether the dog is current on its rabies vaccination. Don't give a recorded statement to the owner's insurance company before you've spoken with an attorney.
Sher Law Group handles dog bite cases throughout Phoenix and Scottsdale on a contingency fee basis. Consultations are free, and there's no fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.