What is strict liability for dog bites and other animal bites in Southern California including Orange County, LA and the Inland Empire?
Many people may be aware that they may seek compensation for their injuries if they are bitten by a dog. In California, there is strict liability for the owner associated with injuries caused by a dog bite. However, you may not realize that there is also strict liability for attacks from other domesticated animal pets as well, which can include animals such as cats and horses.
Many Orange County cities such as Laguna Hills and Laguna Woods have ranches and horse-trails. Accordingly, there is a very high number of home owners with domesticated horses on their property. As a horse owner, under California laws, they are strictly liable for injuries caused by horse bites and attacks. The law is the same for horse, cat and other pet owners as it is for dogs. Pet owners in Southern California carry strict liability for dog bites and other animal bites and are responsible to properly domesticate, train, and protect the public from their domesticated animals especially if they have vicious tendencies and have been known to attack others.
And similar to dogs, large animals such as horses can cause significant injuries by biting or attacking innocent victims. Victims of horse bites have been known to have significant puncture wounds, lacerations, trauma, and permanent scarring that may require significant medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Personal injury claims for injuries caused by any pet are covered by the homeowner’s insurance or renter’s insurance of the pet’s owner. The insurance company has one goal: to settle your claim for much less than it is worth. This is especially important when it comes to an animal bite. The actual initial medical bills may seem quite low and often result in an immediate low-ball offer from the insurance company. The Law Firm of Rivers Morrell has a different goal: to obtain full and fair compensation for all past, present and future medical expenses associated with an animal bite as well as compensation for lost wages and the experience you were forced to endure as a result of the bite(s).
Any settlement or personal injury case should also consider longer term implications such as damage to ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues as well as the remediation of any resulting scars. This is why it is important to understand strict liability for dog bites and other animal bites in Orange County, LA and the Inland Empire.
If you have been the victim of an animal attack from a dog, horse, or other domesticated animal, we invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and the legal industry as well as our successful verdicts and settlements and contact Rivers Morrell or call today to speak with Rivers personally for a free, substantive consultation at (949) 305-1400.
