Dog Bite Cases in California: Liability and Exceptions

Dog bites are traumatic and potentially dangerous events that can leave long-term physical and mental consequences. California law places full responsibility on dog owners in dog bite cases, regardless of whether the dog has previously displayed this type of behavior or not. However, there are also important exceptions to consider.

Exceptions to consider

Private property:

If the injured person was trespassing on private property during the dog attack, the owner will have a valid defense to liability.

Law Enforcement Dogs:

If the attack occurs while the animal is performing its public duty and by established guidelines, the law enforcement agency may not be liable.

Assumption of Risk:

If the victim was aware of the danger and still exposed himself to the risk, it may reduce the owner’s liability.

Partial Victim Blame:

If it is proven that the victim partially contributed to their injuries, the owner’s liability could be reduced.

Liability in Dog Bite Cases

In this type of accident, the victim must collect information and solid evidence that demonstrates the cause of the incident, including witnesses, photographs, videos, and medical and police reports. This way, if the pet owner acted maliciously, you can file a claim for all expenses and injuries incurred, such as medical expenses, psychological harm, lost wages, and even punitive damages.

Having a legal team of dog bite experts will help you evaluate your case, strategize, ensure justice, and obtain the compensation you deserve. The law guarantees the protection of victims, but doing so requires expert knowledge and competent legal representation. Contact us for legal help.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.