Fighting for Victims of Animal Attacks

California sees more dog bite and animal attack lawsuits than any other state. That is largely because the state’s dog bite statute makes pet owners strictly liable for dog bite injuries. Whether you were bit by a dog or attacked by another domestic animal, you may have options to seek compensation for your losses – including bringing claims based on an owner’s negligence, the dangerous tendencies of the animal, or strict liability.

As an award-winning personal injury practice, our team at Drake Law Firm can help explore your options for legal action and how to best pursue the compensation you deserve.

Reasons to Choose Drake Law Firm

• We have won more than $150 million in compensation for clients.
• Our team draws from over 100 years of collective experience.
• Our attorneys have earned the highest client satisfaction ratings.
• FREE Consultations and NO FEE unless we win

Learn more about our team and how we may be able to represent you in your dog bite or animal attack lawsuit. Our Stockton lawyers serve clients throughout San Joaquin County and beyond.

Legal Options for Dog Bite / Animal Attack Victims

While every case has its unique facts, dog bite and animal attack victims may have several options to bring claims against a pet owner. This includes claims based on:

• A dog’s dangerous propensities, which requires showing that an owner knew, or should have known, about their animal’s vicious nature and tendency to bite or attack.
• A pet owner’s negligence in failing to prevent the attack, such as failing to use a leash or safely contain an animal on their property.
• An owner’s strict liability for dog bite injuries.

How Does Strict Liability Work in Dog Bite Cases?

California allows dog bite lawsuits to be brought on strict liability. 

In strict liability claims, dog bite victims do not need to prove that an animal owner was negligent in causing the injuries or that the owner should have known about the dog’s dangerous nature. 

Instead, victims only need to prove the following to establish strict liability:

1. The defendant was the dog / animal owner;
2. The dog bite occurred in a public place or while the victim was lawfully on private property.
3. The victim was injured; and
4. The dog bite / attack was a substantial cause of the victim’s injury.

Am I Able to File a Lawsuit?

It will depend on the facts of your case, including factors such as the location of the attack, the circumstances surrounding the attack, and how seriously you were injured.

• Public property: You may be able to file a lawsuit if the dog bite occurred in a public place, such as a park, a public sidewalk, or at a place of business open to the public.
• Private property: Dog bite victims may bring claims if they were attacked while lawfully on private property. You are lawfully on private property when you are invited by the property owner, performing a service as requested by the owner or resident (i.e. plumbing, landscaping, etc.), or while performing a legal duty such as delivering packages or mail.
• Injury severity: To bring a lawsuit, you must have suffered an actual injury because of the dog bite. This does not mean the bite or attack must break skin, however. Victims can bring a claim if the dog bite or attack was a substantial cause of their injury, such as when a dog attack causes someone to fall off a bicycle or ladder or when a dog chases someone until they slip and fall.
• Other circumstances: Although pet owners can be held strictly liable for dog bites, there are exceptions. Damages cannot be recovered if the dog bite involved a law enforcement K9 performing legal duties, a victim who was trespassing, or when the victim assumed the risk of getting attacked (which typically applies to veterinarians and other animal workers who know that being bit is a risk of their profession). Victims who are partially at fault for their injuries due to provoking a dog or its owner may have their damages reduced under comparative fault rules.

Over $150M Recovered for Victims

Drake Law Firm has earned a reputation for fighting on behalf of victims and families. We have built a legacy of success that includes more than $150 million in verdicts and settlements, and numerous recoveries in excess of $1 million dollars.

Some of our recent results:

• Some of Vehicle v. pedestrian – $2.65 million
• T-bone accident – $2.5 million
• Commercial truck v. vehicle – $1.5 million
• Vehicle v. motorcycle – $1.23 million
• Rear-end vehicle accident – $1 million

Our Stockton dog bite lawyers are available to discuss your animal attack and legal options during a FREE case evaluation. Call or contact us to speak with an attorney.