At Callaway & Wolf, we have handled many cases involving injuries caused by animals, including dog bites, knock-downs by dogs, and cat bites. California law provides strict legal liability against the owner of a dog for the harm caused by another person bitten by that dog. Liability is imposed whether the bite happens in a public place or in a private place, including on the property of the dog’s owner. California has no “one bite” rule.

Depending upon the facts of your case, if you are injured by a dog you receive compensation for your injuries from the dog owner, or someone who has kept a dog knowing that the dog had vicious propensities.

Also, the local authorities and animal control officers will often investigate the circumstances of an animal attack and take action against the animal and/or its owner.

Oftentimes, the homeowner’s insurance company for the owner of a dog will be liable for injuries. If the dog owner does not have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, then collecting any compensation can be more difficult. Depending on the circumstances of the case, sometimes a landlord may also be responsible for injuries caused by their tenants’ dogs. For example, if the landlord or his representatives had actual knowledge of the dog’s viciousness prior to the attack and could have had the dog removed before it injured the victim, or if a dog is able to escape from the premises because the landlord has failed to properly maintain a gate or fence. Knowledge of prior incidents with a dog are another way landlords become liable.

Callaway & Wolf has handled cases where people have been bitten by dogs, as well as knocked over by dogs running loose. Of course, dogs are not the only animals that can cause injuries. We have even recovered compensation for a client who was bitten by her own cat when a vet’s assistant failed to handle the cat properly during an exam.

Whenever someone is attacked or injured by a dog or other animal, after reporting the incident to the police and getting medical attention, a lawyer should be contacted right away so evidence may be gathered and an investigation started.

California has a two-year statute of limitations for dog and animal bite injuries. This is the time in which your case must be settled, or filed in court. This time limit shrinks to six months if the state or a city is responsible.

Even though you may have plenty of time before your time limit is up, we can help guide you through the process from day one, helping to insure that the proper groundwork is done for your claim.

If you or someone you know has been injured by an animal in California, click here for a free consultation or call 415-541-0300 to speak to a California lawyer experienced in handling dog bite, and animal injury claims.