Dog Bite Injury Lawyer In Salinas, Merced, Redondo Beach & Pleasant Hill
Throughout the country, there are millions of animal attacks every year, especially dog bites. Research and statistics have shown that certain dog breeds and temperaments can be extremely dangerous. In many cases, these attacks can result in infections or permanent disfigurement and scarring. In the more severe cases, serious infections develop or the victim’s injuries end up being fatal. If you or a loved one has been bitten or mauled by a dog, the Braff Injury Law Practice is here to help.
If you, your child, or another family member was attacked and suffered a serious dog bite, a personal injury attorney that specializes in these types of personal injury claims can evaluate your case FREE of charge and help you determine what legal action to take. Our dog bite lawyers have extensive expertise and knowledge of California’s dog bite laws that govern these types of cases and will use our experience, knowledge, and resources to maximize your settlement.
The Law of Strict Liability
Some states have what is known as a “one-bite” rule that protects a dog’s owner from any liability in some situations if the animal has never attacked anyone before. The idea is that the owner of the dog might not have had any reason to believe that their animal was dangerous or posed a threat to another animal or human being. Notice we said “some” states. California is not one of those states.
In California, dog owners are liable if their dog attacks or bites anyone, even if this had never happened before. This is known as the law of “strict liability.” According to the law, “a dog owner is responsible for injury to a person (or sometimes that person’s property, which often includes domestic animals and/or livestock) whether or not the owner knew the dog had a ‘vicious propensity.’” Even if the owner of the dog had no idea that it was dangerous, they can be liable for injuries resulting from an attack.
Who is Liable for Damages?
In most dog bite personal injury claims, the defendant is typically the dog’s owner. However, there may be certain exceptions. Based on the facts surrounding your personal injury claim, your injury attorney file against one of the following parties for damages in your case:
- The dog’s caretaker
- Residential property owners that have a dog
- Landlords who know a tenant’s dog is dangerous
- Commercial property landlords who are responsible for the condition of said property
For more information about California’s dog bite laws, call the Braff Injury Law Practice today at (650-770-9452). Our experts are available to assist you with your queries. Call now!