Can You Sue for a Dog Bite?

Dogs are called man’s best friend, but that fact doesn’t make the injuries you can suffer in a dog bite incident any less serious. The truth is that dog bites can leave you with significant physical, financial, and emotional damages. 

Fortunately, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries you suffer from a dog bite in California. Read on to learn more, including how a dog bite lawyer from The Kindley Firm, APC can review your claim for free. 

When Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in California?

California laws outline the requirements for the victim of a dog bite to file a claim. In order for the owner to be liable for your injuries, the injuries must have been caused by a dog bite and occured in a public place or a private place where you had a legal right to be. 

This makes two big exceptions right out of the gate. For starters, your injuries have to be from a bite. For example, getting knocked down in a dog attack wouldn’t qualify under this section of the California legal code. 

Also, you have to have been legally occupying the place where the attack happened in order for the owner to be liable for your injuries. That means if you were bit by a dog while illegally trespassing in someone else’s home, you generally wouldn’t be entitled to financial compensation. 

Generally speaking, you also wouldn’t be able to file a claim against the government for bites sustained by a dog in the course of official duty, such as a police dog. 

Another important factor to consider for California dog bite claims is that the state observes strict liability in these cases. That means that the owner can be held liable for your injuries even if they didn’t know or have a reasonable expectation that the dog bites. 

Some states enforce policies called one-bite rules, in which the owner might have to have known of a previous biting incident in order for them to be held liable in a civil action.

If you file a dog bite claim in California, you could be entitled to a settlement consisting of both economic damages and non-economic damages—such as pain and suffering—paid out by the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. 

Even if you feel a case is cut and dry, the insurance company can make recovering a fair settlement difficult. Reaching out to an experienced lawyer could help you ensure that you’re getting a fair shake. 

Contact a California Dog Bite Lawyer 

Have you suffered a dog bite injury in California? Don’t let the insurance company try to pay you anything less than you’re owed for your injuries—a dog bite lawyer from The Kindley Firm, APC could help you maximize your settlement amount. 

Just call 619-550-1313 or fill out the following form to get started today with requesting a free consultation.