Damages Tied to Dog Bite Cases in California
Dog bites can occur anywhere, at any time, with any breed of dog. When victims of dog bites look for help, they often don’t know where to turn. Laws vary from state to state, and dog owners can be very defensive about their dogs and the risk of euthanasia. As a victim, it is crucial that you know what Southern California law says about dog bites and which types of damages you may be entitled to.
When you’re ready to fight for every dollar you deserve, it’s time to talk to the team of Pasadena premises liability attorneys at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri. Our aggressive approach to personal injury cases has helped us win millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to set up a consultation now.
While any breed of dog can bite, certain dogs are disproportionately represented in dog bite reports. You have to consider not just the likelihood of a dog biting, but also the risk of them causing real damage. For example, small dogs like chihuahuas may bite more often—but those bites are less likely to result in an official report, as smaller dogs are less capable of causing damage. On the flip side, dogs with strong bite strength can cause massive damage with one single bite. The most commonly reported breeds include those in the pit bull class, Rottweilers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers, and bull mastiffs.
Overview of Dog Bite Laws in California
California law is to the point when it comes to dog bites. Owners are responsible for every single time their dog bites someone in public or on private property that the victim is lawfully visiting. This also includes the dog owner’s home, assuming that the victim is legally entitled to be there—this excludes trespassers and burglars. When a dog bites, California law doesn’t automatically jump to euthanasia. They will propose this if the dog poses significant danger to the community or if it has multiple biting incidents. For example, a dog may be considered very dangerous if it bites without provocation or attacks viciously enough to cause fatal or catastrophic injuries.
Factors Influencing Damages
A number of factors influence how much a victim actually receives. First, the extent of your damages plays a key role in your compensation. If you suffer disabling or disfiguring injuries, they will affect you the rest of your life to some extent. These injuries warrant more compensation than minor injuries that eventually make a full recovery. Additionally, the dog owner’s ability to pay will be important. In most cases, dog bite cases are paid out by a dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance. If the owner rents, liability may rest with the landlord’s insurance. But if the owner has no insurance or the dog was never reported to the insurance company, you may have to go after the owner directly.
Limitations
There are limitations to your ability to recover damages. Remember that California law extends to bites that occur in public or private places where the victim is allowed to be. If you were trespassing at the time of the bite, you’ll likely be unable to recover any compensation unless the owner was somehow negligent. In these situations, the dog is often doing what they were trained to do—protect their home and family from intruders.
You may also run into issues if the dog owner flees the scene, refuses to hand over vaccination or contact information, or lies about what happened after you report the bite. This is why it’s so important to act quickly after a bite, report it, get photo and video evidence identifying the dog and owner, and speak to a personal injury attorney in Southern California.
Maximizing Your Compensation
Time is of the essence in these cases. As soon as a dog owner realizes their dog is in danger, there’s a very real risk that they will disappear on you or otherwise try to avoid any consequences of their dog’s bite. You should keep records of all expenses and losses you incur as a result of the dog bite, including time away from work, medical bills, ruined clothing, and over-the-counter medical supplies. Your first call after an incident like this should be to a personal injury lawyer. We can help you demand the settlement you are owed.
Start Your Personal Injury Claim With DeWitt Algorri & Algorri
The sooner you connect with a personal injury lawyer at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri, the sooner we can begin fighting for you. Take the first step right now by scheduling a free consultation. Just call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) or send us a quick message online.
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
