Dog Attack/Bite Accidents
Unfortunately, sometimes no matter how well trained a dog may be, you can still be bitten or attacked if the dog feels uncomfortable or scared. Not all dog bites or attacks are serious enough to consider a personal injury claim, but there are some cases that can lead to permanent injury or death. A serious dog bite or attack can result in medical bills, emotional trauma, pain, suffering and even scarring. If you’ve suffered injuries as a result of a dog bite or attack, you could be entitled to damages.
If you believe that you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim for your dog attack, you should speak with a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At Live Oak Injury Law Group, we are dedicated to serving you to resolve your personal injury claim with a maximum recovery at a reasonable cost. If you would like to know more, read below, and schedule a free consultation.
Who is Liable for a Dog Bite/Attack?
Depending on the circumstances of your dog bite or attack, the owner of the dog could be liable for all of your damages. Generally in a situation where your injury was caused by a dog and you were in a public area or lawfully in a private space when the attack occurred, the owner of the dog is liable. In California, there is no “one bite rule” so the dog owner is often liable even if the dog has never bitten or attacked anyone before.
The party that is financially responsible for the costs of your damages depends on the circumstances of your bite or attack injury. It’s not always the case that the dog owner pays out of their pocket, instead the financial resources might come from another source. Below, we’ve listed the parties that are often financially responsible for the costs of a personal injury suit:
- Homeowner’s Insurance: If you were bitten or attacked on the dog owner’s property, their homeowner’s insurance may pay for your claim.
- Renter’s Insurance: Some landlords require their tenants to carry liability insurance even though the tenant doesn’t own the property. If you were bitten by a renter’s dog, the renter’s insurance company may pay your claim.
- Animal Insurance: Some dog owners opt to get insurance coverage for their pets. Oftentimes, this insurance will cover animal medical costs. In the case that the dog bites someone, their animal insurance may pay for your injury claim.
- Uninsured: If you are bit by a dog and their owner doesn’t have any kind of insurance that would cover dog bites, they are personally responsible for the costs of your damages. Obtaining a judgement against a dog owner, unfortunately, is no guarantee that you will collect.
What Damages Could You Receive for a Dog Bite/Attack Injury Claim?
When you file a personal injury claim for your dog bite/attack, you could receive financial compensation for any damages you incurred as a result of your injury. This includes both non-financial and financial losses and costs. Damages you could receive if you win your personal injury claim include :
- Medical bills and expenses;
- Lost wages from missing work as a result of your injury;
- Damages for pain and suffering/permanent disfigurement.
