If you or someone you know has been the victim of a dog bite, it is important to understand the legal implications of such an incident. In California, victims of dog bites have two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit against the owner. This is known as the statute of limitations. It is important to note that victims can demand financial compensation that covers their legal damages, which goes beyond just paying for medical care.
Different states have different statutes of limitations for dog bites, usually between one and three years. When considering filing a dog bite lawsuit, it is important to seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer. Former Los Angeles prosecutor, Attorney Neil Shouse, has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, Court TV, The Today Show, and Court TV. He has been recognized by National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal Lawyers and the Top 100 Civil Lawyers.
If the victim of the bite was a minor (under 18), it is important to understand how to commit a minor's claim in California. According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites are the most common liability claim in homeowners and renters insurance policies. Victims may be entitled to amounts that they have spent trying to “repair the property” (e.g. veterinary bills).
In some cases, punitive damages may be available if the owner or trainer acted “maliciously”.Most dog bite disputes are resolved through negotiations between the injured person and the dog owner or insurance company. Law enforcement agencies are generally not responsible for injuries sustained by a working police dog, provided that the injury occurred while the dog was provoked or performing its police duties. It is important to consider what other evidence would be convincing for a small claims court judge.If your dog bites someone or causes injury in other ways, you may be on the receiving end of a dog bite claim. An important factor for the victim to actually recover any of this compensation will depend on whether the dog owner has insurance coverage.
Dog bite laws in many states do not apply in certain circumstances, especially when the injured person provoked the dog or was invading.If you are facing a lawsuit for an alleged injury caused by your dog, you should seriously consider talking to a personal injury lawyer. Based on the unique facts of each case, guidance from experienced dog bite lawyers in California is essential to filing the strongest legal claims available.
