Steve Sparks and Molly Podlesny Obtain Unanimous Defense Verdict in Strict Liability Trial
Sanders & Parks Owner Steve Sparks and Associate Molly Podlesny recently secured a unanimous defense verdict for their clients in a case where Plaintiff, a young girl, was bitten in the face by her neighbors’ dog. In Arizona, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog, unless the owner can show the dog was provoked by the injured party in some way. Mr. Sparks and Ms. Podlesny successfully conveyed to the jury that their clients’ dog had been provoked by the young Plaintiff’s sudden appearance above a wall bordering the clients’ backyard, causing the dog to react. While Plaintiff sought $1.5 million in damages at trial, the jury deliberated for less than one hour before finding in favor of the dog’s owners.