Los Angeles & Orange County Dog Bite Attorneys

Dog Bite Overview

Section 3342 of California Civil Code includes California’s strict liability laws regarding dog bites. In section 3342a, it states: “The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness.”

This law serves to protect dog bite victims who have been bitten by dogs who have not previously bitten and/or injured a person. Some states require a dog to have previously injured another person or require an owner to have knowledge of a dog’s vicious nature in order for the victim to seek payment for damages.

The Los Angeles & Orange County dog bite attorneys at El Dabe Law Firm are familiar with California’s state-specific laws and regulations involving dog bites and animal attacks. Not all dog bites will fall under strict liability laws; our attorneys’ knowledge of other forms of liability and negligence has helped numerous dog bite victims throughout Southern California win their cases. When you work with a dog bite lawyer at our firm, you are working with a legal professional who has the necessary knowledge and experience to be effective.

Exceptions to Strict Liability Laws in California

California’s strict liability laws exclude dogs who have been harassed or provoked into attacking a person, as well as animals used in law enforcement or military agencies in the investigation of a crime, during the apprehension of a suspect or while executing a warrant. It also excludes attacks which are made to a person illegally intruding on someone’s property. This law is limited only to the dog owner and a human victim.

If you have experienced an injury due to a dog attack, which is not an actual bite (such as being knocked down or tripped by a dog) there are other routes you may take. If you own a dog which was attacked and injured or killed by another dog, if you were bitten by a dog whose owner was negligent, or if you were injured by a dog whose owner’s intentional conduct led to your injury, our Los Angeles dog bite attorney may still be able to help you get compensation. Using common law strict liability, negligence, and other specific regulations or case rulings, our attorneys can build a strong case in your favor that will help you get the compensation that you need.

Have you been injured by a dog? Contact a Los Angeles dog bite attorney at El Dabe Law Firm today!