Snow law Firm Personal Injury Attorney, Cape Cod, MA

Dog Laws In Utah

personal injury cape cod

In Utah, the owner or keeper of a dog is liable for injuries regardless of whether the dog is vicious or mischievous or whether the owner has knowledge of such behavior unless:

  • the dog was working in law enforcement and was in compliance with all rules and regulations governing the use of dogs at the time of injury;
  • the injury or death occurred on the dog owner/keeper’s property while the dog was reasonably secured in a fence or other enclosure and the person injured or killed was trespassing; or,
  • the injured person’s fault for causing the injury or death was more than fifty (50%) percent.

Damages that can be recovered depend upon the nature and extent of injury, medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, periods of total and/or partial disability, physical pain and mental suffering, disfiguring scarring, permanency of injury, and loss of consortium.

STATUTE OF LIMITATION:

In Utah, the statute of limitations is four (4) years from the date of injury. This means you must file a lawsuit against the owner/keeper of the dog within that time, or you will be forever time barred from pursuing a case.

LAW REFERENCE:

Utah Code Ann. § 18-1-1

Injured By A Dog?

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DISCLAIMER:

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only.  The information on this site is not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed through the use of this website.  Laws relating to dog injuries can, and do, change.  To learn your legal rights, contact The Snow Law Firm, or contact a licensed and experienced attorney in your state.

MINOR STATUTE OF LIMITATION RULE:

In most states, when a minor is bitten or injured by a dog, the statute of limitation period does not begin to run until the minor reaches the age of 18.  Thus, for example, if an 11-year-old child is bitten or injured by a dog in a state that has a 3 year statute of limitation period within which to file a lawsuit, they will have three years from the date they turn 18 years of age, and would thus have to file a lawsuit before they turn 21 years of age.  In most instances, however, it is recommended that a parent or guardian bring a claim for a dog bite or injury claim on behalf of a minor child before waiting for the injured child to turn 18.

RECOVERABLE DAMAGES IN GENERAL:

Some states limit the type of damages that a person bitten or injured by a dog can recover.  In most states, however, a person who is bitten or injured by a dog can recover damages that include medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, physical pain and mental suffering, scarring, permanency of injury, periods of total and/or partial disability and loss of spousal consortium.