A dog attack can happen without warning, and the injuries left behind are often serious and long-lasting. Puncture wounds, deep scarring, emotional trauma, and costly medical treatment are common after a dog bite in Sandy. You have the right to pursue compensation from the dog owner and their insurance company.
Lance Bingham helps you fight for fair compensation after a dog attack in Sandy. Call 801-477-8346 for a free consultation.
Dog bite cases in Sandy are not simple. They involve severe injuries, complex insurance disputes, and difficult questions about owner liability. You need a team ready to fight for you.
At Lance Bingham, our attorneys bring multiple years of combined experience to every personal injury case, handling dog bite injuries, car accidents, wrongful death, and more. We have recovered millions of dollars for injury victims across Utah and are fully prepared to take your dog bite lawsuit to trial if the insurance company refuses to pay.
Our dog bite attorneys personally handle every case. You will not be passed off to a claim handler or paralegal. The attorney-client relationship we build with each client is grounded in trust and real results. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win. Call 801-477-8346 today.
Dog bite claims involve severe injuries, insurance disputes, and difficult questions about proving liability. A skilled dog bite attorney can handle all of this while you focus on recovery.
Our team moves quickly to preserve evidence after a dog bite incident. We review animal control records for prior aggressive behavior and examine whether the dog owner failed to comply with local leash laws or to take proper precautions.
Not all dog bites involve one responsible party. Our dog bite attorneys identify every liable party — from the dog owner to property owners who may share liability — to maximize your recovery.
We gather your medical records, emergency room reports, and documentation from every medical professional who treated your injuries, along with witness statements and photographs, to build the strongest dog bite injury claim.
The dog owner's insurance company will try to pay as little as possible. Our attorneys push back and fight for the fair settlement that dog bite victims deserve.
If the insurance company refuses fair compensation, Lance Bingham will take your dog bite case to court. Our attorneys have real trial experience and are prepared to put it to use.
The right steps after a dog attack can protect your health and strengthen your dog bite claim. Here is what you need to do:
Utah law holds dog owners responsible when their dog injures others. Here is who can be held liable in a dog bite case.
Under Utah Code § 18-1-1, every person who owns or keeps a dog is strictly liable for injuries that the dog causes. You do not need to prove the dog had a history of aggression or that the owner knew the dog was dangerous. If the dog caused the injury, the owner is liable.
The dog owner is the primary responsible party in most Sandy dog bite cases. It does not matter whether the dog had bitten anyone before; if you were lawfully on the premises, the owner is liable. Dog owners also face added responsibility when they fail to follow leash laws or allow an aggressive dog to come into contact with others.
In some cases, a landlord who knew a dangerous dog was on the property and failed to act may also be liable for the resulting injuries. Our dog bite attorneys have experience building these civil claims.
Some states only hold dog owners liable if the dog has bitten someone before. Utah takes a very different approach that is much better for dog bite victims.
In one-bite states, the injured person must prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Utah does not follow this rule. Under Utah Code § 18-1-1, strict liability applies from the very first bite. You do not need to show the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that the dog had a history of prior attacks. The law protects you.
The dog owner's liability is established the moment their dog causes an injury, whether it was the first attack or the tenth. Not all dog bites involve a dog with a known history of violence, and Utah's law makes sure that does not stop you from seeking compensation.
Dog bite victims in Sandy have the right to receive fair compensation for the financial and personal costs of their injuries. The amount depends on the severity of the injury and how the attack has affected your daily life.
Economic damages cover your direct financial losses:
Non-economic damages reflect the personal impact of the dog bite:
In some cases, a court awards punitive damages to punish a dog owner for reckless conduct, available when the facts of the attack support them.
Utah Code § 78B-5-818 governs comparative fault in personal injury cases, including dog bite claims. Under this law, your compensation may be reduced if you are found partly at fault for the dog bite incident.
A dog owner may argue that you provoked the dog with sudden movements or loud noises, or that you entered private property without permission. These are common tactics insurance companies use to pay less than what your case is worth.
Under Utah's modified comparative fault rule, you can still pursue compensation if you are less than 50% responsible for the attack, but your percentage of fault reduces your award. At 50% or more, you recover nothing at all.
One of the most common mistakes dog bite victims make is underestimating these arguments. Making mistakes early, like giving a recorded statement to the insurance company without legal help, gives them ammunition to shift blame onto you.
An experienced personal injury lawyer at Lance Bingham can protect your rights and push back against these tactics. Call 801-477-8346 with any questions about your case.
The strength of your dog bite claim depends on the evidence. The following are the most important types for proving liability and recovering fair compensation:
Working with a skilled lawyer ensures this evidence is gathered and preserved before your case moves forward.
If you were injured in a dog bite in Sandy, Sandy Springs, or anywhere in Salt Lake County, you need to take legal action within a specific time frame. Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, most dog bite injury claims must be filed within four years of the date the injury occurred.
Four years may sound like plenty of time, but it is not a reason to wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to find, and records become harder to obtain. Start early to build the strongest possible case.
If you miss the four-year filing deadline, you lose the right to pursue compensation entirely. Do not wait. Call Lance Bingham at 801-477-8346 and let our team get started on your dog bite case right away.
In rare cases, a dog attack results in death. Surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Utah Code § 78B-3-106.
In Utah, the personal representative of the deceased's estate, or immediate family members, including a surviving spouse, children, or parents, may file a wrongful death lawsuit. Our personal injury attorneys will help your family understand who is eligible and what legal action is involved under Utah law.
Surviving family members may be able to recover damages for the following losses:
We approach every wrongful death case with the compassion your family deserves.
After a dog bite in Sandy, you should not have to face the legal process on your own. Lance Bingham is ready to fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Our team handles every aspect of your dog bite claim, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and taking your case to trial if needed.
No fee unless we win. Call us now at 801-477-8346 for a free consultation.
Dustin specializes in serious accident and injury cases in Utah and Idaho, practicing in State and Federal Courts. He's recognized as "Utah's Legal Elite," a "Mountain States Rising Star," and a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. He holds an Avvo Superb Rating and is actively involved in legal associations, serving as a judge pro tempore for the Utah Supreme Court. A Utah native, Dustin earned his degrees from the University of Utah. He lives in Farmington with his wife and three children, enjoying family time, flying, and various outdoor activities.
Schedule Your
Free Consultation
