California has one of the most popular and profitable hospitality sectors in the country and can credit a lot of its success to its many bars and nightclubs that provide a place for people to gather and enjoy each other’s company. Some of these establishments, particularly if it’s outdoors, allow patrons to bring their dogs with them.
While this is no problem most of the time, there are some occasions where a dog may be overwhelmed or react poorly in a given situation and bite you or a loved one.
Contact Maison Law After You’ve Been Bitten By a Dog at a California Bar
Nobody wants to suffer a dog bite at a bar in California. Yet, when one of these unfortunate incidents happens, the aftermath can be incredibly troubling. Whether the incident occurred at a bar, store, or any other public establishment in California, the impact can be far-reaching.
Beyond the injuries you may have sustained, there’s also the question of liability that can arise. At Maison Law, we have a dedicated team of qualified California dog bite lawyers who are experienced in addressing these incidents. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Would a Dog Bite You at a Bar in California?
Usually, people go to a bar to have a good time with friends and loved ones. Sometimes, this means that you’ll have to encounter a dog that’s there with its owner. Although you might not expect to interact with a dog or its owner while you’re at a bar, the reality is that a bar is a prime environment for a dog bite. This is due to a variety of factors that are present, like:
- Fear or aggression – Dogs might feel threatened or anxious in a crowded and noisy environment like a bar. This fear can trigger defensive behaviors, including biting, if they perceive someone as a potential threat.
- Protectiveness – Some dogs are naturally protective of their owners or their territory. If they feel that their owner is being approached or bothered, they might react aggressively to defend them.
- Lack of socialization – Dogs that haven’t been socialized enough with various people, environments, and situations might react with fear or aggression when exposed to unfamiliar situations like a bar.
- Pain or discomfort – A dog in pain due to an injury or underlying health condition might react defensively when touched or approached, leading to a bite.
- Being provoked – Sometimes, unintentional provocation from people, such as sudden movements or invading their personal space, can startle a dog and cause them to bite in response.
- Resource guarding – If a dog has something it values, like food or a toy, and it feels threatened that someone might take it away, it might react aggressively to protect its resources.
- Lack of owner control – If the dog’s owner is not effectively controlling their pet, the dog might act out of control in a bar environment, leading to potential biting incidents.
While a bar is an unfamiliar environment, every dog is different and has its own personality and background. While it’s not always possible to avoid a dog bite, especially in a crowded bar, it’s a good idea to get medical help immediately if you end up getting bitten. From there, it’s important to know what else you can do.
Should You Inform the Bar If You Are Bitten By a Dog?
After you get bitten by a dog, there are a number of different things you’ll need to do. On top of getting medical treatment, you need to have some sort of record of the incident. One of the best ways of doing that is to inform the bar management of what happened. This is important for a few different reasons:
- Safety – Letting the bar staff know about the incident helps them take immediate action to prevent further incidents. They can take steps to control the dog and ensure the safety of other patrons.
- Documentation – Informing the bar creates a record of the incident. This can be important for your own safety and if you decide to take legal action or need medical attention.
- Prevention – By informing the bar, they can take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. This might include ensuring that dogs are properly supervised or not allowed on the premises.
- Responsibility – The bar might have policies in place regarding dogs on their premises. Notifying them holds them accountable for any negligence in enforcing these policies.
- Assistance – The bar should offer assistance, including helping you get medical attention or providing contact information for the dog’s owner if possible.
Remember to provide accurate and detailed information about the incident, including the location, time, description of the dog, and any injuries you sustained. This can help the bar address the situation appropriately and take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future. It’s also important for the accuracy of any report that gets made of the incident, which is important to any potential legal action you’ll want to take.
Liability Issues When a Dog Bite Happens at a California Bar
Regardless of what the theme or concept is, a bar is ultimately like any other place of business in California. This means that the bar has an obligation to keep its patrons safe and its property free of hazards. When the bar allows patrons to have their dogs with them, it opens up the bar to potential liability in the event of a dog bite. This liability is in place even if the bar:
- Has policies for controlling dogs
- Is aware or unaware of the behavior of individual dogs
- Takes measures to ensure customer safety
Thus, when a dog bite happens, it means the bar was negligent in enforcing its policies and is therefore partially liable for your injuries and damages. The reason that the bar is only partially liable has to do with the overriding law in California regarding dog bites.
Per Section 3342 of the California Legal Code, dog owners are “strictly liable” for any injuries and damage that their dog causes. This means that, in the event of a bite at a bar, the dog’s owner is primarily responsible for covering your damages.
What Damages Are Available If You Get Bitten By a Dog at a Bar in California?
Any dog bite incident is likely going to result in damage to you or a loved one. Usually, this means injuries, lost time at work, and an overall inability to enjoy your life the way you once did. All of these factors are taken into account when you pursue legal action against the dog’s owner and the bar where the bite happened. Generally, this can be done either through filing insurance claims or a lawsuit, both of which allow you to recover financial support known as “damages.”
In a successful California dog bite claim, you can potentially recover:
- Any medical expenses you had for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgical procedures, medications, rehabilitation, and other costs associated with addressing your injuries.
- If your injuries result in missed work or diminished earning capacity, you might be eligible to receive financial benefits and support for both your present and prospective income losses.
- Costs for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental suffering brought about by the dog bite incident.
- Costs related to any disfigurement and scarring, recognizing the impact on your physical appearance and self-esteem.
- Repair or replacement costs for any personal property that was damaged in the incident.
- In specific instances, a court might award punitive damages to penalize the dog owner or bar for severe negligence or deliberate misconduct.
As with any claim, the total amount that you can potentially recover depends on the specific circumstances that surround your injury. In order to make sure you are treated fairly and receive what you’re owed, make sure to work with our team of experienced California dog bite lawyers.
Support and Direction After Being Bitten By a Dog at a California Bar
No matter where it happens, a dog bite can leave you feeling scared and alone. But when you’re bitten at a bar, it can be especially difficult. You should be able to focus on your recovery and getting back to normalcy, and one of the best ways to do that is to rely on our team of experienced California dog bite lawyers at Maison Law.
We have developed a proven system of success in handling dog bite claims and we can give you the proper guidance and support you need. Don’t wait–contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
