When a dog bite occurs in the state of California, both the victim and the dog’s owner may need to seek the counsel of a personal injury lawyer. Because California has separate dog bite laws from other states, it can be difficult for the parties involved to determine who is at fault. The lawyer, however, has an intimate understanding of dog bite laws in California, and can assess what type of legal action is appropriate given the circumstances.
For example, a dog bite lawsuit may be warranted in California if:
- The victim was trespassing on the dog owner’s property when the dog bit the victim;
- The victim was bitten by the dog and/or injured by the dog, regardless of whether or not the dog has shown a tendency to bite in the past;
- The victim provoked the dog or assumed the risk of the dog attack;
- The keeper of the dog was not the owner; or
- The owner was not reasonably careful in controlling the dog.
Of course, these are not the only circumstances that may warrant a dog bite lawsuit in California, nor do they confirm the validity of a claim. There may be situations where one provision was met but not another, which would complicate the decision to pursue a case. For this reason, a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in dog bite cases and has a deep understanding of current dog bite laws in California is recommended.
Get a Referral to a Dog Bite Lawyer in San Diego
The San Diego Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) works with a number of personal injury lawyers who have represented both victims and dog owners in dog bite lawsuits. To obtain a referral and up to 30 minutes with an attorney, please contact the LRIS at (619) 231-8585, via online chat, or by submitting an online referral request.