Legal Rights Information

Legal Rights Information

A dangerous dog can be a frightening bully in the neighborhood – and can be a dangerous menace as well.  Even normally docile dogs can attack unprovoked, often with disastrous consequences.  Fortunately, victims of dog bites have legal rights, which depend on where the attack happened and vary from city to city, county to county, and state to state.

California is a state that imposes strict liability for dog attacks, which makes the dog owner legally liable to a bite victim. In a state law strict liability state such as California, it is unnecessary to prove that the owner or handler was negligent. 

Regardless of state, the dog owner is legally responsible for the damage inflicted viciously by a dog that previously bit a person in the same vicious manner. In almost every state, including California, a victim can recover compensation from a negligent person responsible for the attack, and a person violating leash laws that prohibit dogs from running around unleashed, a dog-focused trespass law, and other dog safety laws.

In most states, a victim can recover compensation even for the first bite by a dog, whether or not the owner was negligent.  Dog bite laws are inherently complicated and California is no exception.  There are many extenuating circumstances that weigh in the court’s decision about liability, including particular rules regarding veterinarians, trespassers and dog handlers.

Statutes of limitations are legal time constraints that restrict the amount of time that an injured victim has to file a claim.  In California, the shortest statute of limitations is 6 months, meaning that it is important for a dog bite victim to contact an experienced attorney well before this 6 month window elapses after the attack. 

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, you have rights.  Medical expenses are expensive and dog bite experiences can be physically and emotionally traumatizing.  An experienced dog bite attorney can help you get the answers and the financial support that you need.  Don’t wait – get the assistance that you deserve today.