What You Can Expect When Filing for a Dog Bite Injury Claim in California
Southern Californians love to own pets, especially dogs. With near-perfect weather, coupled with a variety of scenic parks and beaches, pet owners have plenty of opportunities to explore and play.
The companionship of dogs is proven to have mood-boosting benefits, including alleviating stress, anxiety, and ease loneliness. Dogs also encourage physical activity, but as more pet owners step out to public areas, the potential for dog-related injuries increases.
Certain dogs do not exhibit aggressive tendencies and can attack a person unprovoked. Other dogs are vicious and can attack an unsuspecting person when their owner failed to properly restrain them. In any case, dog owners are held strictly responsible when their dog bites another person, causing them serious harm.
Who Can Be Held Responsible For a Dog Bite Injury?
Under California’s strict dog bite law, dog owners cannot make the following arguments to avoid being held responsible for an injury caused by their dog:
- That they took proper measures to prevent their pet from injuring a person, and
- That they did not know their pet was or could be aggressive.
Based on the law, dog owners will be held accountable for the victim’s injuries even if their dog had never bitten a person in the past. On the contrary, however, they will not be held accountable if the injury was caused when the dog was performing military service or was on police duty. Furthermore, pet owners will not face financial responsibility if the dog bite occurred on private property where the victim was considered to be trespassing.
Common Causes of Dog Attacks
The most common causes for dog bites and attacks are abuse toward the dog, inattentiveness, and irresponsibility. Careless dog owners can also lose control of their pets, and this can cause a dangerous situation for passersby.
A majority of dog bite incidents occur as a result of the following: Dangerous dogs, Mistreatment of the dog, Abusing the dog, Neglecting the dog attention, The irresponsible care of the dog, A lack of medical treatment for the dog, and Training the dog for illegal dog fighting.
Damages Caused By a Dog Bite
Dog bites can lead to a variety of damages, which can include the following: Hospital bills, Costs of treatment, Loss of income, motional trauma, and Pain and suffering.
By filing a dog bite injury claim against the pet owner, financial compensation for these damages may be possible.
Proficient Legal Assistance Following a Dog Bite Case in California
Dogs can make very friendly pets, but when a pet is neglected or it is overly protective of its owners, it can lash out and bite without warning. If you have recently suffered a dog bite injury, it is critically important that you seek the legal assistance of a proficient dog bite injury attorney. An experienced attorney will help you investigate the case and ensure you receive the damages award you deserve.
The personal injury litigators at Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP are exceptionally skilled in the field of dog bite injury cases. After a dog bite, take swift action and seek the immediate legal support of a law firm you can depend on. Consider seeking the legal assistance of Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP. Contact the law firm for a complimentary consultation today.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.