What Damages Are Available in an Arizona Dog Bite Case?
Dog bite injuries often involve both physical and lasting emotional harm, and Arizona law allows recovery for both.
By Simon Touma · Updated August 14, 2026
What Can You Recover in an Arizona Dog Bite Claim?
Quick answer: Medical expenses (including any needed reconstructive or scar revision surgery), lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress or psychological trauma are all generally recoverable in an Arizona dog bite claim, given the strict liability standard under A.R.S. § 11-1025.
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Medical Expenses, Including Future Care
Beyond initial emergency treatment, dog bite claims often need to account for future medical needs, scar revision surgery, physical therapy, or ongoing treatment for more serious wounds. A wound that requires stitches today may need follow-up plastic surgery months or years later, and a properly valued claim accounts for this.
Deep puncture wounds and lacerations from a dog bite can also carry a real risk of nerve or tissue damage, sometimes requiring specialized treatment beyond basic wound care, all of which should be reflected in the medical damages claimed.
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Scarring and Disfigurement
Facial and visible scarring from a dog bite is a recognized, compensable harm under Arizona law, particularly significant given how often dog bites affect the face and hands. This is treated as a real, independent category of damages, separate from the underlying medical treatment costs.
The location, size, and visibility of scarring all factor into how this component of damages is valued, a scar in a highly visible location generally represents a more significant, lasting harm than one that is easily concealed.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma
Dog attacks, especially for children, can cause lasting fear, anxiety, and psychological trauma, which is a real, recoverable component of damages, not just the physical injury itself. This can include a lasting fear of dogs, anxiety in situations that resemble the attack, or more significant post-traumatic symptoms.
Mental health treatment records, where the injured person has sought counseling or therapy related to the attack, can provide important documentation supporting this component of a claim.
Lost Wages
If your injury required time off work for treatment or recovery, lost income during that period is also generally recoverable as part of your claim. This includes not just time off for the initial injury, but any additional time needed for follow-up treatment or surgery.
Property Damage
In some cases, personal property damaged during a dog attack, clothing, for example, can also be included as part of the claim, though this is typically a smaller component compared to medical costs and pain and suffering.
How These Categories Combine to Value a Claim
A dog bite claim’s overall value reflects the combination of these categories, tailored to the specific injury. A minor bite requiring only basic first aid presents a very different case than one requiring reconstructive surgery and involving lasting scarring, even though both are legitimate, compensable claims under Arizona’s strict liability framework.
Wondering what your dog bite claim is worth in Arizona? Talk to our litigation team before you respond.
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Dog Bite LawyerWhat Damages Are Available in an Arizona Dog Bite Case? FAQs
Can I recover for emotional trauma, not just physical injury?
Yes, psychological trauma from a dog attack is a real, recognized component of damages.
What if I need future surgery for scarring?
Future medical needs, including scar revision surgery, should be factored into your claim’s value.
Is there a cap on dog bite damages in Arizona?
General personal injury damages are not typically subject to a specific cap in Arizona, though the specifics of your case should be discussed with an attorney.
Does strict liability mean I automatically get maximum damages?
Strict liability establishes the owner’s responsibility for the bite, damages still need to be documented and proven based on your actual losses.
Can I include damaged clothing or property in my claim?
Yes, property damaged during the attack can generally be included, though it is typically a smaller part of the overall claim.
How does the location of a scar affect my claim’s value?
Visible scarring, particularly on the face or hands, is generally treated as a more significant harm than scarring in a less visible location.
Do I need therapy records to claim emotional distress?
They are not strictly required, but mental health treatment records provide valuable documentation supporting this component of your claim.
Key Takeaways
- Dog bite damages include medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Scarring and disfigurement are recognized, compensable harms.
- Emotional and psychological trauma is a real component of these claims.
- Future medical needs, including possible scar revision, should be factored in.
- The overall value reflects the specific combination of physical and emotional harm in your case.
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