As a rule, dogs will avoid you if you pass them in the street/lane/on the beach. They may come by and sniff your hand, but dogs don’t attack or bite a person for no reason. They’re docile and friendly. In extreme cases, dogs may display signs of hostile behavior. When dog aggression gets out of hand, it leads to injuries that require immediate medical attention. If the injuries are severe, you’ve most likely incurred important damages like medical expenses, lost wages, and possibly permanent scarring. Dog bites don’t come out of nowhere, although it may seem like it. There are various reasons why dogs might bite, including fear, feeling startled, or resource guarding.
The Owner Can Be Held Liable for Any Dog Bites That Take Place
In California, for instance, the owner of the dog is liable for the damages caused to the victim. It doesn’t matter if the incident occurred in a public or private place, such as the dog owner’s property. It’s the owner’s responsibility to prevent Fido from biting people, which can be accomplished by keeping the dog in an area where people don’t have access to or warning others about the dog’s aggressive behavior. If you’ve been injured by a dog, write a letter to the owner and explain what happened. You can include proof of your expenses. If you have to go to court, make sure your losses aren’t too big.
What’s The One Free Bite Rule?
Some states allow one free bite. It’s a legal doctrine that establishes if the owner of a domestic animal can be held legally liable for any injuries inflicted upon another person. The pooch gets a free bite if they haven’t displayed dangerous or violent tendencies in the past. After that, the owner is responsible for the dog’s harmful behavior. Nonetheless, if the breed is particularly dangerous or if the dog is prone to biting, strict liability applies, even if something could have been done to prevent the unfortunate event.
Most Dog Bite Cases Settle Before Going to Court
Dog bite disputes rarely go to court, which helps parties avoid expensive legal fees. They’re settled by negotiations between the injured party and the dog owner/insurance company.
You can do the settlement with help from a dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles at Ehline Law Firm. The settlement allows for proper compensation. It may be necessary to file a lawsuit to recover damages.
The insurance company or the lawyer representing the dog owner might refuse to offer fair compensation. At the end of the day, it’s your decision to either accept the settlement or take your dispute to court. In a court trial, the judge will decide the truth. At times, litigation can be unpredictable.
As far as damages are concerned, you can claim compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, punitive damages even. Proving punitive damages is hard, as it requires demonstrating that the dog was managed in a malicious manner. The aim is to send the message that this kind of behavior isn’t tolerated. Malice needs to be clear to collect compensation.
