With its status as an economic and cultural epicenter, California has a number of shopping malls for both residents and travelers to come and purchase all different kinds of products. Depending on the location, some malls may allow shoppers to bring their dogs with them–particularly if it’s an outdoor mall.

Work With Knowledgeable California Dog Bite Lawyers

Unfortunately, many of these encounters result in dog bites, leaving you with lasting physical and emotional harm to you or someone you care about. That’s why it’s crucial to have a skilled legal team familiar with dog bite cases at malls or other stores in California.

At Maison Law, our experienced team of California dog bite lawyers is dedicated to supporting you throughout your case. We focus on getting you the benefits and support you need to take care of your medical expenses, future needs, and pain suffered from the dog bite. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Are Dogs Allowed at Malls in California?

Like many businesses, some shopping malls and shopping centers in California allow dogs, while others do not. However, all malls in California have to allow service dogs that are trained to perform certain tasks for their disabled owners. That said, non-service dogs are typically not allowed inside a mall due to:

Health and safety reasons
Concerns about potential disruptions

Chief among these safety concerns is biting incidents. According to a 2022 study from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there were 549,316 emergency room visits for dog bites in California between 2005 and 2019. The study also found that dog bites cost close to $50 million per year in medical expenses. What this data shows is that dog bites can be costly, no matter where they occur. However, when they happen at a mall, it’s important to understand what you’re facing.

What Challenges Come From Dog Bites in California?

When you get bitten by a dog at a mall–or anywhere else–in California, your health should always be your top priority. Thus, getting medical attention right away is very important, just as a baseline to make sure further infection or injury doesn’t set in. At the same time, physical injuries aren’t the only challenge you’ll be facing after a dog bite. These challenges include:

Emotional and psychological trauma – Dog bites can cause significant emotional distress, fear, and anxiety, especially for young children who may develop a fear of dogs or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the incident.
Risk of infection – Dog bites can easily become infected due to the bacteria present in a dog’s mouth. Infections like rabies, tetanus, and other bacterial infections can be a serious concern following a dog bite.
Liability – Determining liability in dog bite cases can be complex in California. Understanding the laws related to dog owner responsibility, negligence, and comparative fault can be challenging for those seeking compensation.

While these challenges are definitely possible after a dog bite, every person and situation is unique. Thus, when you’ve been bitten by a dog at a California mall, the circumstances that surround the bite can go a long way in helping you face these challenges.

Steps To Take After a Dog Bite at a Mall in California?

While a dog bite situation at a mall is certainly unique, ultimately it’s like any other accident, at least in terms of what you should do in the immediate aftermath. It’s important not only for your health and well-being but also for any potential claim you want to make. Thus, if you’re bitten at a mall, you should do the following:

Get to safety – If the dog is still aggressive or poses a threat, try to move away from the dog to a safe location.
Seek medical attention – Even if the bite seems minor, it’s crucial to get medical attention promptly. Dog bites can lead to infections or other complications, so it’s best to have a healthcare professional examine the wound.
Report the incident – Inform mall security or management about the dog bite incident so they can take appropriate measures and document the incident.
Identify the owner – If possible, try to find out who the dog’s owner is, as their information may be necessary for reporting the incident or seeking compensation for any medical expenses.
Gather information – If there are witnesses to the incident, try to obtain their contact information as they may be able to provide valuable details if needed later.
Document the incident – Take photos of the dog bite and any injuries you sustained. Also, make note of the time, location, and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Contact local animal control – Report the dog bite to the local animal control agency. They can investigate the situation and take appropriate actions, such as checking the dog’s vaccination records and ensuring public safety.

Remember, taking these steps not only protects your health but also provides crucial information that may be essential for potential legal or insurance claims following a dog bite incident. That said, understanding how the law treats dog bites in California is also important fo your potential claim.

Liability When a Dog Bite Happens at a Mall in California

The main question that goes into a dog bite in California is who is responsible. In legal terms, this is known as “liability.” In California, no matter where a dog bite happens, the law holds that the owner is responsible for any injuries or damages. This is known as “strict liability.”

However, the particular mall, as a place of business, also shares some of the responsibility. Every business in California has an overriding responsibility to its customers and visitors to take reasonable measures to keep them safe. This includes taking steps to prevent dog bite incidents, and can be done in a number of different ways:

Posting signs to enforce a “no-dog” policy
If the mall allows dogs, designating certain areas as off limits
Training mall staff on how to handle encounters with dogs and customers
Having well-equipped stations to treat minor injuries, like dog bites
Partner with local animal control to respond quickly to any dog-related incidents

Even with those measures in place, once a dog bite incident happens to you at a mall, both the owner of the dog and the mall itself are legally responsible for your injuries. However, in order to get the benefits and support available to you, you’ll have to begin the legal process.

How Can Our Lawyers Assist You After a Dog Bite at a California Mall?

While it’s not a requirement in California to have a lawyer represent you in a dog bite claim, if you want to fully explore your legal options, our team can be very helpful. A dog bite falls under the category of a personal injury claim, and there are a few options for actually making a claim. Usually, this is done through an insurance claim or a lawsuit–or both.

With our experience, we’ve developed a proven system of success in handling claims. If you decide you want to work with our team, we can help you in the following ways:

Investigate the dog bite incident thoroughly, visiting the scene, gathering witness statements, reviewing security footage, and obtaining relevant documents.
Identify all potentially liable parties, including the dog owner, mall management, or property owner if negligence is involved.
Work to establish the dog owner’s liability for the attack and confirm you were lawfully on the premises.
Help you gather medical records and evaluate your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and long-term effects of the injury.
Communicate and negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company for a fair settlement on your behalf, leveraging their experience with insurance adjusters.
File a lawsuit and represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, standing up for your rights in court, and presenting your case in front of a judge and jury.
Ensure your claim is filed within the California statute of limitations (currently two years from the accident date) to protect your right to seek compensation.

Navigating the claims process in California can be challenging, even in dog bite cases where liability is clear. Dealing with insurance companies can be difficult, and their representatives may not always offer fair compensation.

That’s why it’s crucial to have our experienced team of California dog bite lawyers by your side. We understand the best approach for these cases.

Maison Law Can Guide You Through the Legal Process After a Dog Bite at a California Mall

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite at a California mall, our dedicated dog bite lawyers at Maison Law are here to provide experienced legal guidance and support. We know that dog bite incidents are unfortunate and difficult, and we will work to ensure you receive the benefits you need for your injuries.

What If You’re Bitten By a Dog At a Mall in California?