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When a dog bites someone, it impacts the person bitten and the dog’s owner. Usually, the person who gets bitten by a dog can ask for money if they get hurt by the dog. Some places have rules that say you can only get money if you don’t make the dog mad. But in California, it’s the dog owner’s responsibility.
If you want to find out how a Los Angeles dog bite lawyer from Trauma Law can assist you in knowing what payment you or a family member should get, contact our office now. At Trauma Law, we fight for hurt people because someone did not keep them safe. Our experienced dog bite attorneys in Los Angeles will guide you in spotting who did not care for their dog properly and who is to blame for your hurt.
Who Is Responsible for Dog Bite Injury?
Although the dog’s owner is mainly to blame for the dog’s aggressive behavior, sometimes others might be held accountable if the dog hurts someone else.
These extra parties are also included:
● If you’re looking after a dog and keeping it with you, you could be held responsible if it hurts someone, just like the owner would be. This includes watching a lost dog or caring for a friend’s dog. If the dog is in your care and bites someone, you might have to pay for the harm it caused, no matter what happened before that made the dog bite.
● Just like people who look after dogs, if you have a dog on your land, you share in being responsible for what the dog does. It doesn’t mean you are always to blame if your dog bites someone on your land. But you might have to answer for it if you didn’t do enough to ensure the dog wouldn’t hurt anyone near your place.
Kids or anyone younger than 18 usually can’t be blamed if their dog bites somebody. Even if they are the main person caring for the pet, you can’t take them to court for money. Here, if something like this happens, the child’s mom or dad will be responsible for what their kid’s dog did.
Steps To Take Following A Dog Bite Incident
If you’re okay and don’t need urgent medical help, first try to gather proof of the dog bite. Ask the dog owner’s name and how to reach them if they’re nearby. Swap phone numbers with them to talk later, but make sure the number they give you is real while they’re still there.
If you can, snap a picture or make a video of the dog on your phone. The type of dog and its behavior might affect what happens with your claim later on. Like you’d do in a car wreck, chat with folks nearby or those who stopped to help. They could have important details about what happened before the dog bit that you didn’t see.
Once you’ve gathered enough evidence, it’s time to visit the doctor. Even if you have minor cuts or scrapes, you should still go to urgent care for a check-up. A doctor can tell you how bad your injuries are and decide on the best treatment. They may give you a rabies shot if it’s been long since your last one. If you see a doctor immediately, it also clarifies when and how you got hurt, which can help you a lot if you need to make a claim.
California’s Law for Dog Bites
In California, if your pet bites and causes harm in a public or private area, you, as the pet’s owner, will have to pay for any damage done. What the dog did before won’t matter.
You might not be at fault if you show the dog was teased or provoked by the person bitten. But, showing this can be a long and challenging job. Got bitten by a dog? Call Trauma Law to chat with our lawyers now.
