Dog Bite Facts
Did you know nearly 40% of households in California own at least one dog? While no one expects to be a victim of a dog bite, there are many instances of dog bites, with children amounting to half of all the dog bites that need medical attention. In fact, over 800,000 people receive medical attention for dog bites every year in the United States.
According to the statistics, in 2019, California had the highest number of dog bite cases, and 20% of them required medical attention.
Liability Law in California
According to the law in California, the dog owner is responsible if their dog bites anyone, regardless if the dog had never bitten or attacked anyone in the past. The liability includes a victim who has been knocked down by a dog and suffered injuries.
Other Dog-related Injuries or Damages Include:
What Should You Do?
Seek medical attention immediately, as there is also a chance for rabies, though the chance is less in California.
Take as many photographs as possible of the injuries, the dog, and the place of injury. Then reach out to us for legal consultation.
Are Dog Bites Covered Under Insurance?
Most of the homeowner's policies cover dog bites.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
You do not have to worry about affording a lawyer. We get paid when you get paid.
Consequently, our interests are the same, which gives you the confidence to know that we believe in your case, will work the hardest to get the greatest results, and will fight.
The California Department of Health estimates that our nation’s public sustain approximately 5 million dog bites annually.
With an increase in vicious dog bite injuries, California has created a body of law regulating dog ownership and remedies for the victim of dog bites.
Along with the joy of owning a dog, dog ownership comes with responsibilities to others and YOU. One such responsibility is to comply with county leash laws. Although California does not have a universal statewide leach law, most California counties and municipalities have their own leash law. For example, Los Angeles County, California, Section 10.32.010, states,
“No person owning or having charge, care, custody or control of any dog shall cause, permit or allow the same to be or to run at large upon any highway, street, lane, alley, court or other public places, or upon any private property or premises other than those of the person owning or having charge, care, custody, or control of such dog, in the unincorporated area of the County of Los Angeles, unless such dog be restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody or control of a competent person.”
Orange County’s Ordinance is basically the same. (OCCO 4-1-45.)
Violation of these ordinances generally leads to fines. However, an owner may be liable for negligently causing injury to another or damages. This liability may or may not even include a dog bite. For example, an owner may be liable if the owner’s dog chases a person who runs into the street and is struck by a vehicle or a vehicle causes or is damaged to avoid an unleashed dog.
In some severe cases, the owner may be criminally charged. Cal. Pen. Code, Section 399.5.
Renter or homeowner’s insurance basically pays most dog bite claims.
Most often, dogs without a history of aggression or biting can remain living with their owner.
Prior California law historically employed the “one free bite rule,” which effectively protected dog owners from liability if the owner never knew the dog was dangerous, only when that dog had bitten someone in the past.
Although an owner be liable as stated above, the owner may also be liable if the dog has never bitten anyone before.
Whether the dog is ever bitten before.
Experiencing a dog bite can be distressing, leaving you emotionally traumatized, overwhelmed, confused, and lost. Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable as we can throughout your healing and recovery process. We’ll even travel to you for your case evaluation.