Dog owners are responsible for their animals. When a dog bites or attacks, California law makes clear that the owner must cover the resulting damages.
Victims often need help to get the money they deserve, though, especially as homeowners and renters insurance companies usually cover the losses resulting from a bite. Insurers want to pay as little as possible, and you need to understand the extent of your damages and know your legal rights before you settle your case.
Miller & Steele Law Firm has helped many bite victims fight for full and fair compensation for all the losses a dog attack caused them to endure. With more than 70 years of collective experience and a history of over 100 jury trials, we have the knowledge and skill to help you negotiate a settlement or recover in court. Give our Vista dog bite lawyer a call today at (760) 439-2210 to learn more about how we can represent you.
Dog Bite Law Regulations In California
Some states hold dog owners accountable for the acts of their animals only if the owners either were negligent or if the dog had a history of aggression that the owner was aware of. These states are sometimes called “one bite” states because the dog owner may be able to escape liability for losses the first time the dog attacks.
California does not apply this lax rule. Instead, under California Civil Code section 3342, “the owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness.”
This is called a strict liability rule and it makes it easier for you to make a claim for compensation after a dog attack. You do not have to show any specific wrongdoing or carelessness on the part of the animal’s owner to get compensation for an unprovoked bite that occurred in a place where you were lawfully allowed to be.
The Vista personal injury attorneys at Miller & Steele Law Firm will help you gather evidence to show the bite you endured falls under California’s strict liability doctrine and to assist you in showing the extent of harm so you can be fully compensated for all the consequences of the attack — including ongoing mental anguish which is common after a violent animal encounter.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims
You must bring your claim for a dog attack before the statute of limitations in California runs out. Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, you have two years to act before your claim is time-barred or prohibited from moving forward because you are past the deadline.
Getting Help from a Vista Dog Bite Lawyers At Miller & Steele
Don’t hesitate to call a Vista dog bite lawyer to help you recover compensation for losses when a dog attacks you. You have the law on your side and you need a legal advocate to help ensure you get the money you need to move forward. Call or contact Miller & Steele Law Firm at (760) 439-2210 today to schedule a free consultation and find out what our legal team can do for you.