Dog Bite Injury Laws in California
At the Land Legal Group, our Los Angeles, California dog bite attorneys strive to provide the legal resources our clients need to make informed decisions regarding the success of their personal injury cases.
Often that boils down to knowing exactly when and when they cannot take advantage of our Los Angeles County dog bite injury laws.
To follow is an outline of our California dog bite laws and the circumstances in which they apply to our clients and their pursuit of financial recovery.
California Dog Leash Laws
California has specific dog leash laws in place designed to prevent dog bites and attacks.
According to the Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control, dogs must be restrained by a substantial leash that does not exceed six feet in length.
The leash must be controlled by a competent person while escorting the animal off their private property.
Dogs are prohibited from running at large on any public street, park, another public area, or on private property that belongs to anyone other than the dog owner.
Unfortunately, our state’s dog leash laws do very little to prevent negligent dog owners from losing control of their pets, which can lead to severe injuries when they bite or attack another person or animal.
What Are the Dog Bite Laws in California?
California operates under a strict liability dog bite law.
That means the owner cannot escape liability of the dog bite, even by claiming they had no idea the animal was capable of aggressive behavior.
The dog owner is responsible for all damages resulting from a dog bite, even if the dog has never bitten another person before.
The California dog bite statute lists that the following must be true to pursue damages from the dog’s owner:
- The injured party’s physical injuries were caused by a dog bite
- The injured party was lawfully on private property or was in a public place when the bite occurred
Who Can Pursue a Dog Bite Claim Under California Laws?
Based on the elements of our strict liability laws, if you are the victim of a dog bite, you can sue a dog owner or anyone else who had control, care, or custody over the Dog when the accident occurred.
How Is the Land Legal Group Able to Prove the Strict Liability Elements?
Our Los Angeles dog bite lawyers focus on the facts of each case we represent, which means we will research and develop your case to ensure we have the appropriate evidence to pursue the negligent dog owner’s insurance company for your full financial recovery.
That can include:
- Direct visual observation of your dog bite injuries
- Photographs of your dog bite injuries
- Medical reports and records
- Employment or education records
- Testimony from your medical physicians or other dog bite experts
- Your personal testimony, witness testimonies, and any other evidence of damages
What Type of Financial Compensation Can I Pursue from My Dog Bite Injuries?
Each dog bite case is unique, and so is the compensation our dog bite attorneys in Los Angeles can pursue as a result of the circumstances that led to your injuries.
We will pursue financial recovery for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Partial or full disability
- Emotional trauma
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
In extraordinary and tragic cases, our dog bite attorneys have successfully represented family members who have lost a loved one to vicious attacks that led to wrongful death.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Dog Bite Claim in California?
California’s statute of limitations is two years from the date the premises liability accident occurred.
When Can’t I Sue for My Dog Bite Injuries?
Just as there are dog bite laws that protect the injury victims, which allow them to seek compensation from the negligent dog owner, there are also laws that protect dog owners when their pet is responding to danger.
You may not be able to sue a dog owner if you are bitten by a dog that was:
- Protecting its owner or another person in self-defense
- A military or police dog that was used in an appropriate fashion
- Provoked by abusing or teasing it
If you were trespassing at the time of the injury or voluntarily took a risk of injury during the time of the dog bite, you may not be able to pursue the owner for damages.
Likewise, if you were comparatively at fault for the bite occurring, our laws limit the liability of the dog owner if you contributed to the incident taking place.
Finally, if you were injured by your employer’s dog while at work, you may not pursue the employer for damages unless they do not have workers’ compensation insurance.
If you suffered injuries from a dog bite in California, get medical help right away and contact our experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at the Land Legal Group today by calling 310-552-3501 to schedule a free consultation. We can help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve for your dog bite injuries.
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