The answer depends on the specific facts of the case. Some dog bite cases settle within a few months, while others may take a year or longer if liability is disputed or the case proceeds to trial. In general, it is usually better to fully understand the extent of your injuries before accepting a settlement.

Every dog bite case follows its own timeline, but most claims move through several common stages before reaching a settlement or verdict.

The length of the process often depends on:

  • The severity of the injuries
  • Whether liability is disputed
  • The amount of available insurance coverage
  • The willingness of the insurance company to negotiate
  • Whether a lawsuit must be filed
  • The court’s schedule if litigation becomes necessary

If you were bitten by a dog in Arizona, Stone Rose Law can explain your legal options and help you pursue the full compensation available to you.

Call (480) 631-3025 or use our online contact form today for a free consultation with an experienced Arizona dog bite lawyer. 

Step 1: Seek Medical Treatment

Medical care should always be your priority after a dog bite.

Even bites that appear minor can lead to serious complications, including:

  • Infection
  • Nerve damage
  • Torn muscles or tendons
  • Broken bones
  • Permanent scarring
  • Emotional trauma

Prompt medical treatment also creates documentation that connects your injuries to the dog bite incident, which is vitally important when pursuing compensation.

Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may continue for weeks or months before your attorney can accurately evaluate the full value of your claim.

Step 2: Investigating the Dog Bite

After the immediate medical emergency has passed, your attorney will begin investigating the incident.

The investigation may include collecting:

  • Medical records
  • Photographs of the injuries
  • Police or animal control reports
  • Witness statements
  • Information about the dog owner
  • Insurance policy information
  • Evidence regarding the dog’s history or dangerous behavior

Arizona follows a strict liability statute for many dog bite claims under A.R.S. § 11-1025, meaning a dog owner may be held liable even if the dog had never bitten anyone before.

Even so, the facts surrounding every dog attack should be carefully investigated.

Step 3: Determining Your Damages

Before settlement negotiations begin, your attorney must understand the full extent of your damages.

Dog bite injuries often involve more than emergency medical care.

Damages may include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Future medical treatment
  • Plastic or reconstructive surgery
  • Lost income
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Permanent scarring
  • Permanent disability

If treatment is still ongoing, settling too early may result in accepting less compensation than the claim is actually worth.

Step 4: Filing an Insurance Claim

Many dog bite claims begin with the dog owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy.

After gathering evidence, your attorney typically submits a demand package explaining:

  • How the incident occurred
  • Why the dog owner is liable
  • The extent of your injuries
  • Your medical expenses
  • Your damages
  • The amount sought in settlement

The insurance company will investigate before responding.

This stage alone may take several weeks or several months, depending on the complexity of the claim.

Step 5: Settlement Negotiations

Many dog bite settlements are reached without going to trial.

During negotiations, the insurance company may:

  • Accept responsibility
  • Dispute liability
  • Challenge the seriousness of the injuries
  • Question medical treatment
  • Argue about the value of damages
  • Make one or more settlement offers

Your attorney negotiates on your behalf while protecting your right to pursue the full compensation available to you.

Settlement discussions may resolve quickly, or they may continue for months if the parties disagree on the value of the claim.

Step 6: Filing a Lawsuit

If negotiations do not produce a fair result, filing a lawsuit may become necessary.

A lawsuit does not automatically mean the case will go to trial.

Instead, filing suit often allows both sides to continue negotiating while also moving the case through the court system.

Arizona sets different deadlines depending on how a dog bite claim is brought. A claim under the strict liability statute, A.R.S. § 11-1025, is a “liability created by statute” and must be filed within one year under A.R.S. § 12-541. 

A dog bite claim based on common-law negligence generally allows two years from the date of the injury under A.R.S. § 12-542. Because the shorter one-year deadline can apply, and missing the statute of limitations can bar recovery altogether, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Step 7: Discovery

Once litigation begins, both sides exchange evidence through a process known as discovery.

Discovery may include:

  • Written questions
  • Requests for documents
  • Medical records
  • Depositions
  • Expert witness reports
  • Independent medical examinations, when appropriate

Discovery frequently represents the longest stage of a dog bite lawsuit.

Although it requires patience, it also allows both sides to evaluate the case’s strengths and weaknesses fully.

Step 8: Mediation and Additional Settlement Negotiations

Many courts encourage mediation before scheduling a trial.

During mediation, a neutral third party works with both sides to try and resolve the dispute.

Many dog bite lawsuit settlement amounts are ultimately negotiated during mediation because both parties have a better understanding of the evidence after discovery is complete.

If a settlement is reached, the case ends without trial.

Step 9: Trial

Only a small percentage of dog bite lawsuits ultimately proceed to trial.

If settlement negotiations fail, a judge or jury determines:

  • Whether the dog owner is liable
  • The amount of damages
  • Whether the victim should receive compensation

Preparing for trial can add several additional months, depending on the court’s calendar.

What Determines Settlement Value?

What Can Delay a Dog Bite Lawsuit?

Several factors can increase the time required to resolve a case.

Serious Injuries

Severe injuries often require ongoing treatment before their long-term effects become clear.

Your attorney may recommend waiting until you reach maximum medical improvement before discussing a settlement.

Liability Disputes

Although Arizona’s dog bite laws often favor victims, disputes can still arise regarding:

  • Whether the defendant qualifies as the owner
  • Whether statutory defenses apply
  • Whether another party shares liability

Resolving these issues may require additional investigation.

Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance companies sometimes delay claims by requesting additional records, disputing damages, or making low settlement offers.

Experienced personal injury lawyers understand these tactics and work to keep the claim moving forward.

Multiple Defendants

Some bite cases involve apartment complexes, landlords, property owners, or other parties in addition to the dog owner.

Determining each party’s responsibility may lengthen the litigation process.

How Stone Rose Law Can Help

Dog bite claims may appear straightforward, but insurance companies frequently challenge liability, the seriousness of injuries, and/or the amount of compensation requested.

Stone Rose Law can:

  • Investigate the incident
  • Gather medical records
  • Obtain insurance information
  • Preserve important evidence
  • Calculate your damages
  • Negotiate with the insurance company
  • File a lawsuit when necessary
  • Prepare your case for trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached

Our attorneys work to resolve claims efficiently while pursuing the compensation available under Arizona law.

Contact Stone Rose Law After a Dog Bite

So, how long does a dog bite lawsuit take? The answer depends on the injuries, the insurance company, and whether the parties can reach a fair settlement. While some dog bite cases resolve within months, others require litigation before compensation is recovered.

If you were injured in a dog attack, do not wait to learn about your legal rights. 

Call Stone Rose Law today at (480) 631-3025 or use our online contact form for a free consultation with an experienced Arizona dog bite attorney. 

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