Robert J. DeBry and Associates has fought for injured Utahns for over four decades. Our experience, results, and reputation make us a firm Utah dog bite victims turn to after a serious attack.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Utah, you do not have to carry the financial burden of someone else's animal. Utah is a strict liability state, which means a dog owner can be held responsible for a bite even if the dog never showed aggression before and even if the owner knew nothing about it. Robert J. DeBry and Associates helps injured Utahns pursue fair compensation, with free consultations and no fee unless we win.
This page explains how Utah dog bite claims work: why Utah is a strict liability state, who can be held liable for an attack, the compensation you may recover, the steps to take immediately after a bite, what hiring a lawyer costs, and how our firm handles these cases from investigation through trial.
Call Robert J. DeBry & Associates at 801-888-8888 for a free consultation. We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Dog bite claims raise questions that other injury claims do not. These pages go deeper on the issues Utah victims ask about most.
Local representation for dog bite victims in Provo, Orem, and Utah County.
Under Utah Code section 18-1-1, anyone who owns or keeps a dog is strictly liable for injuries that dog causes to another person. This is a critical distinction that sets Utah apart in how it handles dog bite cases.
What strict liability means in practice is straightforward: you do not have to prove that the owner was negligent, that the dog was a dangerous dog, or that the animal had a history of aggression. The duty imposed on dog owners in Utah attaches simply because they own or control the animal. If a dog bite occurs and you are lawfully present, the owner or keeper is held liable for the resulting injuries.
Some states follow what is known as the one bite rule, which requires a victim to show that the dog owner knew the dog had previously shown aggressive behavior or had bitten someone before. Utah does not follow the one bite rule. Dog owners can be held responsible for a first-time bite just as readily as a repeat incident.
There are limited exceptions written into the statute. For example, the law provides an exception for certified law enforcement canine handlers acting under agency policy, and for situations where a dog is reasonably secured within a fence or enclosure on private property and the injured person was trespassing in violation of Utah law.
In 2024, Utah passed SB 62, which amended section 18-1-1 to further clarify dog-related liability and codify a four-year statute of limitations for dog injury actions arising on or after May 1, 2024.
Identifying every potentially liable party is an important part of building a dog bite claim. Utah law extends responsibility beyond just the registered owner of the animal.
Understanding who is liable matters because it affects where a personal injury claim is directed and which insurance company may be responsible for paying damages. Not all personal injury attorneys have experience with dog bite cases, and the question of liability often requires a careful investigation. Legal teams gather evidence including medical records and eyewitness reports to establish who was in control of the animal, whether a negligent owner or another responsible party contributed to the attack, and under what circumstances the attack occurred.
Dog bite victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages under Utah law. The severity of a dog bite injury can range from puncture wounds requiring basic care to serious injuries involving broken bones, nerve damage, permanent disfigurement, and deep emotional distress that affects victims for years after the attack.
Recoverable damages in a Utah dog bite claim generally include:
For attacks involving service animals, Utah Code section 78B-3-702 provides for specific damages including veterinary costs, replacement animal costs, and recovery-related expenses. You can read more about these and other less common situations on our service and unique-circumstance dog attacks page.
Building a dog bite claim may require medical specialists and experts to document the full extent of your injuries and project future care needs. Without thorough documentation, insurance companies may undervalue what you are owed.
The steps you take in the hours and days after a dog bite directly affect both your health and the strength of your legal claim.
An initial consultation with a dog bite lawyer often includes discussing your medical treatment and evidence, so thorough documentation from the start strengthens your position. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on what to do after a dog bite.
Cost should never be a barrier to pursuing a dog bite claim. At Robert J. DeBry & Associates, we handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. That means no upfront costs to hire a lawyer, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Here is how the arrangement works:
This structure means there is no financial risk to pursue your claim. Many dog bite claims settle without going to court, but when a fair settlement cannot be reached, our firm has the resources and willingness to take your case before a judge and jury. Insurance companies often offer better settlements when a lawyer has trial experience.
Dog bite litigation is a specific area within personal injury law, and not every firm has deep experience with the statutes, insurance issues, and medical complexities these cases involve.
With a personal injury team of over 50 legal professionals, our firm has the staff and resources to thoroughly investigate your case, handle complex medical documentation, and manage the litigation process from filing through discovery, mediation, and trial if necessary.
Robert J. DeBry & Associates represents dog attack victims throughout Utah. With offices in Salt Lake City and Sandy, we provide legal representation to clients across the greater Salt Lake Valley, Sandy and the South Valley, Utah County including Provo and Orem, Davis County including Bountiful, Layton, and Farmington, Weber County including Ogden, and Washington County, Cache County, and every other Utah county.
No matter where in Utah your dog bite occurred, on public or private property, we can evaluate your case and provide statewide representation. We are also available for home or hospital visits if your injuries prevent you from traveling to our offices.
No. Utah does not follow the one bite rule. Under Utah Code section 18-1-1, dog owners can be held liable even if the dog has no prior bites or history of aggression. Utah is a strict liability state, meaning liability attaches based on ownership or control of the dog, not on whether the owner knew the animal was dangerous.
For dog injury actions arising on or after May 1, 2024, Utah Code section 18-1-1 specifies a four-year period from the date of the incident to file a claim. Claims involving government entities may have additional notice requirements with shorter deadlines. Because missing these deadlines can result in losing your right to recover compensation entirely, it is important to act quickly and consult a dog bite attorney as soon as possible.
You may still have a valid dog bite claim. In most cases, the claim is handled through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy rather than as a personal dispute. Most homeowners policies in Utah include personal liability coverage that can respond to dog bite claims. Filing a claim does not necessarily mean suing a friend or family member personally, because the insurance company typically handles the payment.
Potentially, yes. Utah follows a comparative negligence framework under Utah Code section 78B-5-818. If you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, for example if you provoked the dog, you may recover nothing. An attorney can help evaluate whether comparative negligence applies to your situation.
No. Under Utah’s strict liability law, you do not need to prove that the dog was known to be vicious, that the owner knew the dog was aggressive, or that the animal had any prior history of biting or threatening behavior. You need only show that the dog caused your injury and that the defendant owned or kept the animal.
If the dog owner lacks homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, or the policy excludes coverage for the incident, you may still be able to pursue a personal injury claim directly against the owner. Standard liability limits on homeowner’s policies often range between $100,000 and $300,000, and some policies contain breed exclusions or prior-bite exclusions that limit coverage. If damages exceed policy limits, the owner may be personally responsible for the remaining amount. An experienced dog bite lawyer can assess all potential sources of recovery in your case.
If you have been attacked by a dog in Utah, do not wait to explore your legal options. Evidence can deteriorate, memories fade, and statutory deadlines apply to every personal injury claim. The sooner you speak with a dog bite lawyer, the stronger your position will be. Robert J. DeBry & Associates offers a free consultation to every dog bite victim, and we will review the facts of your case, explain how Utah’s strict liability law applies, and outline the next steps, all at no cost to you.
Call 801-888-8888 or request your free case review online today. No fee unless we win.
This is general information, not legal advice. Contacting Robert J. DeBry & Associates or submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship.