Can I Sue if I Was Bitten By A Guest’s Dog at An AIRBNB?

There are hundreds of thousands of AIRBNB properties in California alone. This company has changed the way that many people choose to travel. The idea of staying in a private home or a place that feels like a home rather than a sterile hotel is much more appealing to travelers interested in becoming immersed in the community, customs, and lifestyle of the area they are visiting. And with all these changes have come some interesting questions about who is responsible for some of the events that can occur while staying at a California AIRBNB or near one.

For example, you might have recently had a bad experience and suffered a dog bite while staying at an AIRBNB. Or maybe you were staying near an AIRBNB and were bit by a dog whose owner was staying at a local AIRBNB. In both of these cases, you are sure to wonder if AIRBNB Properties is responsible for the actions of a renter’s dog or your safety as a renter who was injured by a dog while staying at their property. You might also be wondering if the owner of the AIRBNB property’s insurance will cover the cost of your injuries.

But before you delve into the legalities of a dog bite suffered at an AIRBNB, it is vital that you have the dog bite injury examined by a medical professional. Even if the damage appears superficial, have it cleaned and examined just to protect your health. Then, once you know that you are safe from added complications from the dog bite injury, contact the California personal injury dog bite lawyers at Normandie Law Firm. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide the reliable answers you need immediately. And we are looking forward to scheduling a free consultation to answer more questions and explain your rights as a dog bite injury victim.

Strict Liability And California Dog Bite Laws
California is known as a strict liability state when considering dog bites and the injuries they cause. What that means for a dog bite injury victim is that the dog owner is nearly always responsible for the damage caused by their dog or dogs. This liability applies to private and public property and is in effect for anyone on the property legally.

So if you are a guest, tenant, or service person who has permission to be on the property and you are bit by a dog, the dog owner is liable for the damage caused by their dog. One of the only times the dog owner is not responsible for damage done by a dog is if the bite victim is on the property illegally. For example, if a prowler tries to break into your home and gets bit by your dog, you are not responsible for the victim’s medical bills. In addition, the dog owner is not liable for dog bite injuries to any person who was injuring or abusing the dog when it bit them.

How Strict Liability Applies To You AIRBNB Dog Bite
While AIRBNB or the property owner renting the location via AIRBNB has permitted a dog to stay at the property, they have not assumed responsibility for the dog’s actions. Under strict liability laws, the dog’s owner remains responsible for all the dog’s actions and the damage it may cause. So are not likely to be able to sue AIRBNB Properties or the owner of the AIRBNB property for damages due to your dog bite. However, you can sue the dog owner for any damages you suffered due to the injuries caused by their dog. Don’t hesitate to contact Normandie Law Firm today to learn more about your right to seek full compensation for your losses due to a dog bite suffered at an AIRBNB or inflicted by a dog staying at an AIRBNB in California.

What Every Dog Bite Victim Needs To Know
Unfortunately, most dog bite victims fail to get the medical care needed for a minor dog bite injury. Only those who suffer a gruesome injury with broken bones or severe lacerations seek emergency medical care. But it is critical that dog bite victims understand that the more serious threats to their health are not the damage to the skin or the visible injuries from a dog bite.

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The primary threat from a dog bite is infection. We have all heard the wives’ tale that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s. But that is not the case when you evaluate the bacteria and germs in the saliva and mouth of a dog. While these germs do not bother the dog, they pose a significant risk to a human. And all it takes is a small puncture of a single tooth breaking the skin’s surface for that bacteria to enter your body and begin to spread a massive infection.

While rabies is no longer a prominent threat in pet dogs, there are many other germs that even healthy dogs can transmit when biting a human. Some of the most worrisome include:

• Cellulitis
• Strep and staph infections
• Blood and bone infections

It might take a day or two for the signs to become apparent. However, when you notice redness, swelling, and increased pain at the site of a dog bite, that is a severe infection trying to ravage your body and immune system. And without immediate medical care, you could be facing surgery or a life-threatening illness.

A crushing injury is the other common injury associated with dog bites that do not look severe. These occur because of the extreme power in a dog’s jaw. While the skin might not suffer much damage, a dog bite can seriously damage the small bones and nerves in a hand, wrist, or foot. Sadly, shock and adrenaline could mask the pain of the injury initially. So the wise choice is always to seek a medical evaluation of any dog bite to prevent further injuries and illnesses.

How Long Do I Have To File A California Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit?
The Statute of Limitations on a personal injury such as a dog bite expires two years from the date of the injury. If you do not file your claim with the court in that time, you will give up your right to seek compensation for your damages and losses. However, you can file the claim at any time within the two years.

The team at Normandie Law Firm understands that you are seeking compensation for your injuries to pay medical bills and other expenses. So you want to get the money as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we have no way to determine how long a particular lawsuit will require to move through the judicial system. So we recommend seeking legal counsel as soon as possible after the injury occurs. Please get in touch with our office today to request a free consultation to learn more about your rights and the information needed to complete the preparation and file your lawsuit with the court system. The sooner we are on the job, the sooner you can have the compensation owed to you for the damages and suffering you have endured due to your dog bite injuries.

What Is The Value Of A California Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit?
The staff at Normandie Law Firm will assist you in gathering all the expenses you incurred due to the dog bite injuries you suffered. These costs will all be included in your dog bite lawsuit amount. Some of the most common items included are:

• All your medical bills for treatment of the dog bite injuries
• All your legal fees related to the case and filing your claim in court
• Your lost wages if you were unable to work while healing or missed work for medical care of the dog bites
• A dollar amount to represent the pain and suffering you endured due to the dog bite injuries

No Upfront Legal Fees
When you work with the caring experts at Normandie Law Firm, we focus on the needs of our clients above all else. We understand that dog bite injuries are painful and can create serious financial challenges while you are healing and waiting to get the money needed to pay your medical bills. So we pledge never to add to your stress and worries about money by charging upfront legal fees or expenses to file your claim with the court system.

Instead, we focus on securing the money you need as quickly as possible. Then, and only after we have won your case do we submit our invoice for our services. We know that part of your settlement or verdict is designed to cover your legal expense, and we are happy to wait until that money is given to you so that you can pay us without any added financial strain on your household budget. So don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office today for a free consultation to learn more about your right to complete compensation for your injuries and losses and how we will secure those funds for you.

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