Dog bites are one of the country's most pervasive injuries, with 4.5 million bites occurring each year. Sixty percent of dog bite victims are children; last year alone, dog bites killed 20 young children.
A recent State Farm study found that California leads the country in dog bite incidents. The insurance company paid out $11.3 million in claims for California dog bites, with an average cost of $25,000 per claim.
In California, state statute places liability for dog bites squarely on the shoulders of dog owners. Dog owners in the Golden State must pay for the injuries their dogs cause. However, in certain circumstances, landowners and landlords of the properties where the bites occur can also be held accountable.
In all cases, whether a property owner or landlord carries adequate homeowners' or renters' insurance can determine whether a dog bite victim will recover appropriate compensation for his or her injuries. People injured by dog bites are able to pursue damages through the courts in personal injury suits and with the help of Los Angeles dog bite lawyers. Failure to carry insurance could mean that the dog owner or property owner must pay the dog bite victim out of his or her own pocket.
California Landowner and Landlord Liability for Dog Bites
Though California's stance on dog owner liability is clear, its stance on landowner and landlord liability is less so. In California, property owners assume liability for animals they allow onto their property. For example, if a homeowner invites the neighborhood over for a cookout and allows someone to bring his or her dog, the homeowner can be held responsible for any dog bites that occur on the property.
Similarly, landlords that knowingly rent to tenants that own a dangerous animal can be held liable for any bites that dog inflicts on others on the property
Since the law extends liability to property owners, those property owners should be insured against dog bites in the unfortunate event they occur. Both homeowners' and renters' insurance policies usually cover dog bites, though companies are allowed to develop dangerous dog lists that exclude certain breeds, like pit bulls, Akitas and German Shepherd Dogs. An insured individual can file a claim when a bite occurs and the insurance will pay out to the dog bite victim.
Unfortunately, almost 60 percent of renters do not carry insurance. This may deny dog bite victims the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one was bit by a dog, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to learn how you can recover compensation for your injuries.
