Dog Bite Attorney
A dog attack can cause painful injuries that require expensive medical care and leave you permanently scarred or disfigured. You may also suffer psychological trauma from the attack, as well as a fear of dogs. At Bauman Law APLC, our Los Angeles dog bite lawyers are passionate about helping injured victims seek justice and financial compensation from pet owners and other responsible parties.
Dog Bite Laws in california
California uses a strict liability dog bite statute, where a pet owner can be liable even without proof of negligence. California Civil Code Section 3342 states that the owner of a dog is liable for the damages suffered by a victim who was bitten by the dog while lawfully on private property or in a public place, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or whether the owner knew of such viciousness.
If your injuries were caused by a dog bite and you were lawfully on the property where the attack occurred, the owner or controller of the dog is liable for your injuries.
Who Is Liable for Dog Bites?
In most cases, the owner of the dog is liable for injuries, deaths, or property damage caused by the dog. If someone else was controlling or keeping the dog, however, such as a dog walker or family member, that individual may be liable instead. California’s definition of a dog “owner” can mean someone who is keeping or harboring the animal. If someone other than the owner was exercising care, control or custody over the dog at the time of the attack, that party may be liable for injuries.
In a case involving a dog that is owned by a child under the age of 18, his or her parents will be vicariously liable. In this case, it would be the parents’ responsibility to pay for the injured victim’s bills. Finally, a landlord in California could be liable for dog bites if he or she knew that a tenant was keeping a dangerous dog but did not do anything to prevent foreseeable attacks.
What To Do After a Dog Bite
If you suffer a dog bite injury in Los Angeles, take the following steps to protect yourself physically and financially:
Try to remain calm and get to a safe place.
Exchange information with the pet owner.
Write down the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the attack.
Call animal control in Los Angeles to report the dog bite.
Get immediate medical care for your injuries.
Write down what happened for your own records while it is still fresh in your mind.
Document the losses associated with the attack, including your medical bills.
Call the pet owner’s insurance company to file a claim.
Do not give the insurance company a recorded statement.
Talk to a Los Angeles dog bite attorney about your legal rights before accepting a settlement from an insurance company.
Taking the correct first steps after a dog attack in LA can help you avoid infections and hold the pet owner accountable for your losses.
finding a lawyer
A dog attack can be a physically and emotionally scarring event. At Bauman Law APLC, we can help you pursue closure, justice and fair financial compensation from the pet owner or another party after a dog bite injury. We will use the full power of our resources to prove your case and help you get through this difficult time.