When you are faced with an animal bite case, an attorney who has regularly advised and represented clients in these matters can help you achieve a cost-effective and timely resolution. To learn more about legal services, contact our firm to schedule a case evaluation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Helping Dog Bite Victims Obtain Fair Compensation
Under California law, pet owners are directly responsible for the injuries caused by their animals. You deserve fair financial compensation if you have suffered an injury because of a dog bite or other animal attack.
At the Law Office of Scott Barbag, we assist dog bite victims in Los Angeles, California, and the surrounding area with taking legal action against negligent pet owners. Contact us by calling 888-578-3539 to schedule a free initial consultation with our lawyer. We will provide you with an honest assessment of your case and inform you on how to take proper legal action.
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At the Law Office of Scott Barbag, located in Los Angeles, California, our practice is devoted to assisting victims of dog bites and other animal attacks with obtaining fair compensation for their injuries. Our attorney knows the local court system and the laws applicable to pet owners.
Contact us online or call 888-578-3539 to schedule a free initial consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer to discuss the incident in which your were attacked by a dog or other animal. We will provide you with a straightforward assessment of your case and help you understand what to expect during the legal process.
Proving Knowledge of an Animal's Vicious Propensities
In states without dog bite statutes or in cases where the injury was caused by a domestic animal other than a dog, the injured person generally must prove that the owner knew or should have known of the animal's dangerous propensities in order to recover damages.
Below are examples of some of the factors that may be used to establish an owner's knowledge of his or her animal's vicious propensities and the types of behavior that indicate an animal could be dangerous. Your attorney will be able to discuss in depth which of these factors and others not mentioned here can be used to prove your case. Contact a personal injury attorney in your area to discuss the merits of your case today.
Acts Imputing an Owner's Knowledge
If the animal does not have a history of biting or injuring people, it may be more difficult to prove the owner knew or should have known of the animal's dangerous propensities. However, some factors that should be considered include:
- Owner posted warning signs on his or her property
- Owner gave verbal warnings to visitors and others about the animal
- Owner kept the animal for protection, like a watchdog
- Owner frequently kept the animal confined or muzzled
- Owner received past complaints about the animal
- Owner made past comments about the animal, like concern over its poor behavior
Examples of Factors Showing Dangerous Propensities
An animal can exhibit certain behaviors that should put its owner on notice that it may cause harm to another person. These behaviors include:
- Snapping or biting
- Jumping or chasing people
- Excessive barking, hissing or other threatening behavior towards people
- Fighting with other animals
The animal does not need to exhibit any of these behaviors in an aggressive manner in order for them to be evidence of dangerous propensities. For example, if the dog jumps on strangers because it is happy to see them or chases people in play, these behaviors can still be considered dangerous because it is foreseeable that a dog jumping or chasing someone could hurt them, whether intentionally or not.
In general, the breed of the animal normally is not enough to show the animal has dangerous propensities. However, the breed may be considered in addition to other factors. Thus, just because the dog is a Doberman Pinscher would not put an owner on notice that his or her animal has dangerous propensities. However, the fact that the dog was a Doberman and kept as a guard dog may be sufficient to prove the owner should have known the dog would be likely to attack.
Contact an Attorney Today
In preparing to meet with an attorney regarding an animal bite or attack, consider all of the above factors and speak to people in the community where the animal lives to learn more about the animal's past. An experienced personal injury attorney can assess your situation and discuss your right to compensation for your injuries. Contact a personal injury attorney in your area to arrange a consultation.
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