Dog Bites are a major public health problem not only for the associated risk of acquiring secondary infections and occasional death due to trauma (which occurs often in children) but also for the possibility of contracting rabies which, if left untreated, is almost invariably fatal.
Dog Owner's Responsibility
A dog owner has an obligation to restrain his or her animal for public safety. As long as you are on private or public property legally, the dog owner may be held responsible.
Dog Bite - Strict Liability
If you own a dog in California, and that dog bites someone, you are liable or legally responsible for the dog bite, if the person bitten was legally on the premises where the dog bite or dog attack occurred. Under California dog bite law, a dog that bites is the absolute responsibility of its owner. This concept is called strict liability under dog bite law in California. Animal attacks and animal bites are the strict liability of the animals' owner. In California, if you own a dog, you pay for the dog bite injuries and all subsequent damages related to the dog bites or dog attack. When you have a dog bite case and you file a dog bite lawsuit, your California dog bite lawyers need only prove:
- that the victim plaintiff was lawfully on the premises of where the dog attack occurred
- that the dog bites caused injury to the plaintiff.
The defendant of the dog bite law suit who owned the dog is then strictly liable for all injuries and damages suffered by the plaintiff victim.
Dog Bite - Homeowners Liability Insurance
If the owner of the dog owns a home, in most cases, liability for dog bites and dog attacks are covered by a homeowners insurance policy.
Dog Bite Inuries - Emotional & Physical
Dog bite injury often extends beyond the physical injury and damage.
- There is emotional and psychological trauma associated with dog bites and vicious dog attacks.
- Parents who watch their child become a victim of a dog attack may also have suffered an emotional trauma.
Dog Bite Inuries - Damages
The following damages may be sought in a Dog Bite Lawsuit:
- Medical Emergency Room Costs
- Hospitalization
- Plastic surgery
- Psychological & emotional trauma treatment
- If the victim of the dog attack was working, lost wages and loss of present and future earning capacity.
- Pain & Suffering
For further information see the related sections:
