Personal Injury Laws Relating to Dog Bites in California

Personal injury claims relating dog bites are one of the most common in California. If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, you can file a claim in the court to get compensation from the dog owner. The compensation amount can help cover the medical costs of treating dog bite injuries.

Before filing a personal injury claim, here are four important things that you should know regarding dog bite personal injuries law in California.

1. Liability for the Attack
   The owner of a dog is held liable for any injuries due to a dog bite. In California, the dog owner will be responsible regardless of whether the canine pet acted aggressively in the past. A victim will not have to present any proof about the fault of the owner as is the case in some state. A dog bite injury is proof enough of the negligence of the pet owner.
2. Actual Harm  
   Another important element of dog bite personal injury law is the extent of the injury. If the injury was minimal, the compensation claim settlement will also be small. You should consider filing a claim only in case of serious harm done due to the dog attack. Otherwise, battling a personal injury case in the court will not be worth the cost.
3. Cause of the Attack
   A dog owner generally can defend the case only if he or she can prove in the court that the victim instigated the attack. This liability statute applies both to attack on private property and public places in California.
   
   In case a victim provoked an attack, the dog owner will not be held responsible for the attack. The provocation can be either intentional or unintentional. Also, if the victim had trespassed the property at the time that the dog attacked, the owner will not be held responsible.
4. Place of the Attack
   The personal injury case can be filed in the county where the attack occurred or where the owner resides. Generally, a claim settlement in rural areas is more conservative as compared to urban areas. Getting the help of an experienced personal injury attorney will help in getting the maximum possible compensation for the injuries.

In case you have been injured due to a dog attack, it's vital that you report the incidence to the police at earliest. This will serve as an official record of the incident. Also, you should consider hiring a dog bite attorney before making a claim.

Call one of our experienced listed attorneys today to know more about how you can build your case to get the maximum possible personal injury claim settlement.