Bitten By A Hotel Guest’s Dog – Can I Sue The Hotel?

When staying at a California hotel, you might not be aware that they allow guests to bring their dogs with them for their stay. Unless you are a pet owner and want to bring your dog, this question might never come to mind when researching where to stay or reviewing hotel websites. It makes little difference even when you arrive and see the guest relaxing with the pooch. As long as the dog owners are responsible, keep their dogs from barking, and clean up after the animals, you don’t care that the hotel allows pets to stay on the property.

However, that opinion can quickly change when you or a family member is bit by a hotel guest’s dog. You want to understand who is responsible, if you can sue the hotel for allowing the dog to stay on the property, and how you will be able to get the compensation you or your loved one deserves for the dog bite injuries, suffering, and losses you have endured. But before you can address any of the legalities of dog bite injuries, seeking a medical evaluation of the dog bite wounds and treatment to prevent infection and further damage is crucial.

The staff at Normandie Law Firm is available 24/7 to answer time-sensitive questions and schedule a free consultation with a dog bite personal injury lawyer. We know that you have many questions and need reliable answers to move forward with a lawsuit or other action to secure the money required to pay medical bills and damages from the injuries you or your loved one or child suffered.

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How Is Responsible For A Dog Bite In California?
California is a strict liability state when determining responsibility for dog bite injuries. What that means for dog bite injury victims is that the dog owner is almost always liable for any damages caused by their dogs on private or public property. So when you suffer a dog bite, even on private property owned by a hotel, the owner of the dog that bit you is ultimately responsible for the injuries and damages.

Of course, you should alert the hotel management to protect other guests from the dog. But the hotel’s staff, management, and owners are typically free from any liability for your injuries. You will also want to complete any accident report or documentation the hotel requires when a guest is injured and ask for a copy of the information for your records.

What To Do After Suffering A Dog Bite
Dog bite injuries can be very upsetting, as most people consider dogs trusted and loyal companions. However, when a dog bites anyone, there are several essential steps that need to be taken. If you were the dog bite victim, you might need assistance from a family member or another guest to help you complete these steps. Or, if the victim is a family member of your child, you can complete the documentation for them to ensure their safety and the protection of their rights in the future.

After a dog bite incident, be sure to:

• Seek medical care to evaluate the severity of the bite – even if the injury appears minor
• Get the contact information for the dog owner and take a picture of the dog
• Get the contact information for the dog’s vet to check its shot and medical history
• Take pictures of the bite injuries immediately after they occur
• Gather the contact information for any witnesses and ask them to give you a written statement of what they saw when the dog bit you or your family member
• Contact Normandie Law Firm to request a free consultation to discuss the grounds for a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner

Why All Dog Bites Are Hazardous
Unfortunately, many dog bite victims disregard what looks like a minor injury from a dog bite. They see only small puncture wounds or a slight laceration and think the injury is not severe. Most will just wash the damaged area and never seek any medical evaluation or treatment at the time of the bite incident. However, in a day or two, they wish they had taken the event more seriously, as an infection has set in, and the area is red, swollen, and very painful.

The primary concern with any dog bite, even those that appear to be just a tiny puncture wound, is infection. A dog’s mouth and saliva contain many germs and bacteria that are very hazardous to humans. All the dog’s tooth needs to do is break the skin’s surface, and those bacteria and germs have a path into your body. While the most commonly known disease related to a dog bite is rabies, it is very rare in cases where the dog is a pet and has all of its shots and vaccinations. However, there are many other infections and issues that can occur, even when the dog that bit you is in good health. The primary concerns are:

• Cellulitis
• Strep infection
• Staph infection
• Blood infection
• Bone infection

When these occur, treatment can take days to stop the infection. And in many cases, the damage is so severe after just a few days that surgery is required to remove the damaged flesh and bone. In addition, the swelling from the infection makes the bite wounds very painful.

The second concern related to many dog bites is nerve and soft tissue damage. Even if there are no large lacerations from the dog’s teeth, the extreme crushing pressure from the dog’s jaw can cause significant damage to soft tissue, especially in the extremities. Hands, wrists, and feet are very susceptible to these injuries. And it is not until days later, when the swelling recedes, that the dig bite victim realizes there is nerve or soft tissue damage. So it is always wise to err on the side of caution and immediately seek a medical examination of any dog bite wound. It is the best way to avoid very painful complications that could have been avoided with a short visit to t doctor.

How Long Does A Dog Bite Lawsuit Take To Settle?
There is no way to estimate the time required for a lawsuit to reach its completion. Many factors, including the severity of the victim’s injuries, the actions of the defendant, and the workload of the court, will all impact how long it takes to complete the matter. So the team at Normandie Law Firm recommends seeking legal advice and securing representation as soon as possible after suffering dog bite injuries while staying at a California hotel.

The Normandie team will evaluate the merit of the case and make a recommendation to move forward with a lawsuit or other action based on the facts of the case. If a lawsuit is justified, the Normandie Law Firm will work diligently to prepare your case and see that it moves through the court system as quickly as possible to ensure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries.

It is also vital to note that in California, the Statute of Limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury. If your matter is not filed with the court system in that time, you will lose your right to seek any compensation for the injuries in most cases. If any exceptions to this rule apply to you and your case, the Normandie Law Firm staff will explain the exception to you and why it is to your advantage to take extra time to file your lawsuit or if you should file it immediately or as soon as possible. Our goal is always to provide as much information as possible and assist our clients in making well-informed decisions to meet their current and long-term needs.

The Value Of A California Dog Bite Lawsuit
Almost all personal injury lawsuit values are based on the expenses and losses of the victim due to the injuries they suffered. In the case of your dog bite injuries, the compensation can include the following:

• All medical expenses
• Lost wages due to the injury
• Your legal expenses
• A dollar amount for pain and suffering

The experts at Normandie Law Firm will assist you in compiling all the expenses that can be included in your lawsuit to ensure that you get the most robust settlement or verdict possible for the injuries you sustained.
Why Choose Normandie Law Firm
Our client’s best interests are our primary focus at Normandie Law Firm. Nothing is more important than meeting your needs today and in the future. So with that focus, we are happy to work on your dog bite lawsuit with no upfront fees or expenses. Instead, we only get paid after we have done our job and secured the settlement or verdict you are owed for the injuries and suffering you endured from your dog bite wounds. Don’t hesitate to contact our office today to learn more about your rights as a dog bite injury victim and how our team will strive to protect your rights and financial future.

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Who Is Responsible For Your Dog Bite In A California Office Building?
Dog Bite Workplace Accident Lawyer In California
Can A Hotel Be Blamed For A Dog Bite In California?