Dog Bite Lawyer on Strict Liability

California Is Strict Liability State

Dog bite attorneys in Tustin, like myself, and indeed throughout the state of California understand how the law works with regard to dog bite injuries. When we talk about these types of personal injury cases it’s in the context of California law and in this state we operate on a principle of “strict liability.” What this means is that owners of dogs are legally responsible for the injuries their dogs inflict on others even if the injured party or plaintiff is unable to demonstrate that the owner did not use reasonable care to try to prevent the bite injury.

Dog bite injury in Tustin. CA

Even friendly dogs bite sometimes. Even in Tustin

This so-called strict liability places the onus on the dog owner to make sure his or her animal is kept safely away from others who it can potentially hurt. Similar to premises liability law, dog owners have a responsibility to anticipate the potential for injury and do all in their power to avoid it.

Unfortunately, despite such strict liability, dog bites continue to occur. And, as I’ve alluded to earlier in my dog bite blog posts as well as the Orange County Dog Bite Lawyer video on our YouTube channel, Orange County has seen more than the average share of dog bites compared to other part of the country.

Most bites are not fatal and even though there are hundreds of thousands of dog bites each year, in 2020 (the most recent year with data) there were 46 deaths caused by dog attacks in the United States. However—and I’ve reiterated this many times—bites, even from small or “toy” dogs can cause extensive damage if untreated due, among other things, to the amount of bacteria in a dog’s mouth.

Dog Bites and Breeds: The Connection

Depending on the source, you may read that most dog bites are associated with one or more specific breeds. There may be some discrepancies between the different sources but if we look at the data published on the DogsBite.org website, we can see the striking statistic that Pit Bulls were responsible for over 70% of bites in 2020.

For a more detailed examination of dog bite injuries in California and the nation, the DogsBite article is an interesting read. But statistics aren’t of interest to those who have suffered a dog bite in Orange County (and specifically in Tustin, Anaheim, Orange or Santa Ana—my “backyard” if you will). Dog bite victims want and need to make sure their injuries are treated and that negligent owners are held to account. A dog bite victim may be entitled to compensation for those injuries as well as pain and suffering. Insurance companies have a vested interest in paying out as little compensation as possible (like any company, maximizing profits is a top goal). That’s why it’s important to find and work with a dog bite attorney near you, who is familiar with the area and court system and who will fight to maximize YOUR compensation, not the insurance company’s profits.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you are a dog bite victim seeking information about a legal course of action, my first advice is get medical treatment if you have not done so! Finding a personal injury lawyer to represent you can wait until you dog bite has been treated. Once that’s taken care of, contact my Tustin law offices to start the discussion on how to proceed legally. Remember the consultation is always free and you pay nothing until we settle or win your case. Furthermore, most of what we need from a client can be accomplished without you having to set foot in our offices. Simply call us to begin the process.

If you have been bitten by a dog anywhere in Orange County, I urge you to call me as soon as possible. Healing comes first, but with a veteran dog bite attorney like me on your side, full and fair compensation comes a very close second. Call me today at 714-544-1460.

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