Dog Bites and Attacks Law in California
Dog Bites
Every year, thousands of people are attacked and bitten by domesticated pets. The majority of attacks occur by dogs. These cases often entail moderate to severe injuries and sometimes result in fatal injuries. In many cases, people who are bitten by a dog have a legal right to seek compensation for damages from the dog’s owner or other person who houses the animal. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, the first thing to do is to seek medical attention. It is possible for an infection to develop and for the animal to have transmitted a disease. The next step is to contact a personal injury lawyer to determine whether or not you have a legal claim for damages against the owner.
Dog Bite Owners Face Strict Liability in California
California has a “strict liability” law regarding animal dog bite cases. Under this law, animal owners are legally liable for an animal bite. Under this theory, it doesn’t matter if the owner knew the animal was dangerous or whether they took precautions to protect the public; the owner is still responsible. In other states, the owner can be responsible only if they knew or should have known that their animal had dangerous propensities. This means the owner knew that the animal could cause injury to a person. It can be difficult to prove “dangerous propensities.”
Still, there can be possible defenses in dog bite cases. If the injured party contributed to the incident, that’s a possible defense. For example, if an owner had a sign “Beware of Dog,” the owner may not be held liable if a trespasser knowingly encountered the danger. An assumption of the risk defense might apply to the dog's owner. In other instances, a pet owner might argue that the person provoked the pet thereby bringing on the danger.
Who is Liable in a Dog Bite Attack?
Dog Bite Animal Attacks
It’s important to note that animal owners aren’t the only parties who may be help responsible for animal bites. Anyone responsible for the care and custody of an animal may be liable. This includes kennels, pounds and animal shelters, or even a restaurant that allows dogs upon its premises. Even if someone is under 18 years of age and owns a pet, the parents of that minor can be held liable for an animal bite. Property owners who allow animals on their property may also be held liable if that animal bites another person. If a landlord knew that a tenant had a dangerous animal, he or she may be responsible for damages if that animal bites someone.
Depending on the injuries, bite victims may recover damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and property damage. In some cases, bite victims may be entitled to punitive damages. Typically, punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer behavior. It goes beyond negligence, such as intentional or reckless conduct. For example, if an animal owner knew the animal was very dangerous yet allowed the animal to roam near a school and a child got bit, a jury may award punitive damages.
Dog and Animal Bite Attack Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been bitten by an animal or dog bite attack, it’s best to contact a personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney will let you know what your legal rights are and help ensure that you receive fair compensation. Interpreting and understanding your state’s law regarding animal bites can be complicated. Turn for legal help from Napolin. We’re experienced in dog bite attack cases and will aggressively represent you.