Owning a dog is a commitment. Like any personal injury lawsuit, a dog bite is an injury that the person who was assaulted by the pet can sue over. Under California Civil Code section 3342, the dog owner must take responsibility for injuries caused by his/her dog’s bite, whether the victim was in a public space or lawfully on private property, including the owner’s.
The victim must verify before a jury the injuries that she or he has suffered because of a dog, for instance:
- The victim must prove that the dog belongs to the defendant and that the bite happened in a public place or while the victim was lawfully on private property.
- The victim must also show the injuries caused by the dog, such as bites or scratches.
- Furthermore, the victim will show that, due to the attack, he or she has suffered financial losses such as medical visits or even the inability to work due to the severity of the injuries.
In this way, and in front of a judge, the jury will be able to hold the dog owner liable for the bite, without the victim having to prove negligence and even if the dog had never bitten anyone before. He or she will not be able to escape this liability and must take care of the damages and injuries that their pet may have caused to the victim. However, there is a time limit for filing a personal injury claim in California: two years after the accident.
If you were the victim of a similar situation and have not yet filed a lawsuit, count on Lipeles Law Group to help you.
