Dog Bites

Understanding California’s Strict Liability Law

In California, dog owners are liable for injuries inflicted by their dogs even when they had no prior knowledge that the dog might bite or act aggressively. Even if a dog has no history of aggression, its owner is still responsible when the dog bites or otherwise harms another person. This is known as “strict liability.”

If you or your loved one was bitten by a dog and you believe the dog owner is responsible, contact Alpine Law Group right away. In California, you generally have two years from the date of injury to bring a claim against a dog owner. Our Irvine dog bite lawyer can help you take swift legal action aimed at securing the maximum compensation you are owed.

Contact us today at (866) 773-0222 for a free consultation. We have recovered more than $250 million for injured Californians; let us fight for you.

Dog Owner Liability: When Can They Be Held Liable For Dog Bite Injuries?

As previously mentioned, dog owners in California are subject to the rule of strict liability. However, this does not mean they are always liable for injuries inflicted by their animals.

A dog owner in California is liable for your damages when:

• Your damages (such as medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, etc.) were caused by their dog biting you
• The dog bite occurred in a public place (such as a park or while out walking) or while you were legally on private property (at a restaurant, in a home, etc.)

In order to hold a dog owner liable, both of these conditions must be met. Due to the law of strict liability, you do not need to prove that the dog owner knew his/her dog might be aggressive or that the owner failed to take reasonable action to restrain the dog; you only need to prove that you were bitten while in a public place or lawfully on private property and that the bite led to your damages.

Complications In Dog Bite & Dog-Related Injury Claims

If you were injured, but not bitten, by a dog (for example, if a dog jumped on you, knocking you down and causing you to break your wrist), you will likely need to demonstrate that the dog owner failed to take reasonable action to restrain or control the dog.

Additionally, if you were trespassing on private property when the bite or injury occurred, the dog owner did not owe you a duty of care and, therefore, you will likely not be able to recover compensation for your damages.

If you were bitten or injured by a police, military, or working dog, you may have a difficult time recovering compensation, as the agency responsible for the dog may assert that the dog was simply carrying out its duties and/or that you provoked the dog, leading to the bite/attack.

Contact Alpine Law Group Today

Our firm can help you work to recover the full compensation you are owed. We understand just how frightening it is to be bitten or attacked by a dog. When the victim is a child (which, sadly, is the most common scenario), the consequences of a dog bite can be all the more devastating.

Our Irvine dog bite attorney is prepared to help you navigate the legal process. We focus on achieving swift, favorable settlements for our clients, but when this is not possible, we are not afraid to aggressively represent our clients in trial.

For a free, confidential consultation, call (866) 773-0222 or contact Alpine Law Group online.