Dog Bite Accidents

Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can be one of the most impactful incidents that can happen to anyone. Almost every breed has the potential to attack and cause severe physical damage on the victim, regardless of their size. Most dog bites do result in minor injuries, but when the attack is to the victim’s face or hands, the outcome can reach another level and be life-altering.

It is crucial that you seek medical attention immediately. Here at NELSON & NATALE we take on dog bites. Over the past 55 years, we’ve had clients that have suffered detrimental neurological issues caused by even a small dog that the client never thought would attack them. The following list contains just a few examples of the types of injuries that can be caused by dog bites:   Facial scars, Nerve damage/muscle damage, Paralysis, Puncture wounds, Organ damage

Infection, Neurological issues, Disfigurement, Rabies, Emotional and psychological trauma

For a FREE consultation, call NELSON & NATALE  (310) 641-8300. Se habla español

California Law on Dog Bites

Strict Liability

When it comes to dog bite cases, each State handles them differently. California operates on the legal theory of “Strict Liability,” meaning that the owner of a dog that bites a victim is “strictly liable” for the bite. Other State laws require the dog owner to have "NOTICE of a prior attack" for them to be considered liable. In other words, each dog is allowed one free bite, and if you happen to be the unfortunate first victim of a dog bite, you are not able to recover damages from the dog owner.  California applies the rule that if your dog bites someone, you are ‘Automatically’ liable regardless of whether or not the dog has a history of attacks

Who Is Liable...?

Thanks to Strict Liability, it is easy to determine who will be liable for the dog bite. In most cases, it is the owner of the dog. Anyone who has assumed custody of the dog, even if it is temporary, can also be held liable the same way the owner would be. It also does not matter how long someone has had the dog in their custody. For example, if someone is caring for a stray dog temporarily while it finds a permanent home, that person who is currently caring for the dog will be held liable. The owner of the property which harbors the dog also assumes some responsibility for the dog’s actions. The only exception for Strict Liability is in a situation where the victim of the attack was trespassing on the property.