As much as you may be a friend to four-legged furry friends, there are times when canines can cause serious physical harm. Dogs are territorial and often wary of strangers, but even a well-trained dog can cause harm to an individual. When your dog has taken a bite of a friend or stranger, you may find yourself deep in litigation from a personal injury attorney over dog bite liability.
Hiring a Good Defense
In the state of California, dog owners have strict liabilities over the actions of their dogs. It doesn’t matter if the dog has no prior offenses with aggression and there have never been any complaints of a bite in the past. California law holds the owner responsible for any damages incurred should their dog bite another person. While the victim of the bite may end up hiring a personal injury attorney, you may need to hire a dog bite attorney to represent you during the case.
Knowing the Liabilities
Under the law, there are two primary considerations a victim must show when bringing suit against a dog owner. First, the injury sustained was the result of a dog bite. An injury can’t be claimed when a dog’s rowdy behavior causes harm to a person, such as a fall. Damages could be pursued under a personal injury case, but not with classification as a dog bite situation. Secondly, the bite has to take place where the victim was lawfully allowed to be present. Public property or being present by invitation are acceptable circumstances, whereas trespassing situations would potentially have a much different legal outcome.
Dealing With the Aftermath
There is a two-year statute of limitations on filing a suit in a dog bite incident, potentially increasing your need for a dog bite attorney as a long-term solution against personal liability. Taking care to control your pet, no matter how gentle and friendly your dog may be, is another way to reduce your legal liabilities of canine ownership.