Maison Law represents individuals who have fallen victim to dog bite accidents in the state of California. These traumatic incidents can impact a victim physically, emotionally, and financially. After a dog attack, you may wonder what options you have when it comes time to recover damages from a liable party. Who is to blame – an owner, a shelter, a landlord, or even an animal control officer? Contact us today to find out more information about your claim and what options you have moving forward.
Dog Bite Laws and Liability
States tend to adhere to either the “one bite” rule of strict liability when it comes to dog bite attack cases. In one bite rule states, which are less common, a dog has to bite more than once for an owner to be held liable for a dog bite incident. California follows strict liability laws, which means that a dog owner will be held accountable for a dog bite with few exceptions. Here are those exceptions:
- The injured person harassed the dog, provoking them to attack
- The attack took place on private property and the injured party was trespassing
- The victim is a veterinarian and the bite occurred while they were at work
If you have been bitten in any other scenario in California, you will likely be able to hold a party liable for damages. So, what does California law say about animal control and their liability when a dog attack occurs?
Animal Control Responsibility in Dog Attack Cases
When a dog is under the control of animal control in California, this means that they take responsibility for the actions of the dog under some circumstances. This agency is supposed to do whatever it can to ensure the safety of dogs and the general public. If they do not uphold this duty, you could hold them liable even though they are a government agency and have certain protections.
There are certain circumstances where animal control could share responsibility for a dog attack with an owner, which include the following:
Failure to Properly Handle a Dog: If the animal control officer negligently handled a dog, they could be held accountable in a case that leads to a bite. An example of this is if an officer fails to secure a dog, knowing that it is dangerous and it could bite another person.
Lack of Proper Procedures: If an animal control officer failed to properly respond to a dog even though it was known to be dangerous, they could be held liability when it bites another person.
Misrepresentation: In some cases, animal control might provide inaccurate information about a dog’s behavior of their bite history in the past. This could lead to liability if somebody is bitten after they have misrepresented the animal’s history.
These incidents are quite rare but they have happened in the past, which is why it is important to know where you stand legally in a dog bite attack incident of any kind. Even though government immunity can make it difficult to bring a civil lawsuit against animal control or any related agency, it is not impossible if you can prove any of the above factors were at play. Establishing negligence is vital in any type of personal injury lawsuit.
Steps to Take Following a Dog Bite Incident Involving Animal Control
If you have been attacked by a dog, it is important that you take some necessary steps to protect your health and the future of your claim against animal control or another party. The way that you respond to this type of incident not only helps you but others in the future. Some steps to take immediately after the bite include the following:
- Seek medical attention, even if you believe that your wounds are minor.
- Report the incident to authorities and receive any information you can if animal control was involved in the attack.
- Gather all information regarding the dog owner’s name and contact details. You also want to collect any information from those who witnessed the bite, as their statements could come in handy in the future.
- Document your injuries through photographs and medical treatment information.
Taking all of these steps can help you when it comes time to move forward with a personal injury claim with the help of a knowledgeable legal advocate.
Contact a California Dog Bite Lawyer
A dog bite injury might be more than just a minor scrape and could lead to infection, reconstructive surgery, and more. Because of this, you should have the help of a California dog bite lawyer on your side who can help you protect your rights during these devastating times.
At Maison Law, we will guide you through the complicated legal process so that you can get started on receiving results after your accident. You should not have to pay for thousands of dollars in medical bills associated with an accident that was not your fault. We will help you get your life back on track quickly after a dog bite attack. Please contact us today for more information and a free case review.
