California is one of the most dog-friendly states in the U.S., with plenty of beaches, parks, cafes, and other public places that allow dogs on the premises. The vast majority of households in the Golden State have at least one dog, and most of us are aware that dogs require a lot of time and attention. The problem is, we have other responsibilities – like jobs – that take us away from our pets. This is why many owners rely on pet sitting services, like Sitter4Paws. While the company provides sitters for all types of pets, most people need walkers to take their dog out for potty breaks or to help them burn off excess energy.
Of course, there is always a level of risk in leaving your dog with someone else. It’s essential that dog walkers follow the proper safety standards and instructions left behind by the owners. They must also be in full control of the dog at all times and ensure that the animal does not jump on anyone or cause injury to an innocent victim in some other way. But even if the caretaker does everything right, it’s possible for a dog to lash out and cause harm to someone else.
In these situations, the injured party may have the right to sue for monetary damages, like medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. But who is liable for a dog bite incident when the dog is under the care of someone other than the owner?
This article will provide you with information on this subject, along with related topics that are relevant to your rights as a dog attack injury victim. However, it’s in your best interest to contact a lawyer that can sue for dog bite incidents and learn about the legal options that are available to you. Please contact Normandie Law Firm and schedule a free case evaluation.
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Can I File a Lawsuit if I was Bitten by a Dog?
Yes, you can sue for being bitten by someone else’s dog under California’s system of strict liability for dog owners. Basically, dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their pet, even if the animal has never hurt anyone or shown signs of aggression prior to the incident. There are a couple of exceptions. But these involve extreme circumstances, like the dog defending its owner from a menacing individual. Thus, the owner of the dog is almost always liable when their dog bites someone, knocks them down, etc.
What happens though, if the animal in question is being cared for by a pet sitter from Sitter4Paws? In this scenario, it’s possible that the dog walker / sitter is liable for the harm resulting from a dog bite or attack, since they were in charge of the animal at the time. You may also have the right to sue Sitter4Paws, i.e., the pet sitting service that employs the dog walker.
Who you can sue as a dog bite victim depends largely on the contract that Sitter4Paws has with the owner. One issue is that Sitter4Paws is based on the franchise model, so you have various franchises that may have their own rules for insurance coverage, i.e., will they cover pet-related injuries to third parties? Certain dog walking companies, like Wag, state in their Terms of Service that they will not cover third party damage / injuries, so any harm caused by a pet is strictly the owner’s responsibility.
By now, you have probably realized that figuring out who is liable for a dog attack may not be a straightforward issue. That’s why legal advice from a California dog bite lawyer is the best course of action if you were attacked by a dog.
How Much is the Average Dog Bite Lawsuit Value?
While this is a difficult question to answer, there are statistics from the Insurance Information Institute indicating that the national settlement value for a dog bite insurance claim was $64,555 in 2022. However, national averages are different than settlement amounts for each state, and as a general rule, lawsuits values in California are higher than the national average. Here at Normandie Law Firm, many of our dog bite accident cases are worth $100,000 and above.
It’s important to keep in mind that the amount of compensation for a personal injury lawsuit is unique to each and every claimant. Based on the details of your case, your settlement amount can range anywhere from $10,000 to $2,000,000 or more. This is why you should contact a dog bite lawsuit lawyer, who can help you determine the value of your case.
How Long Do Sitter4Paws Dog Bite Claims Take to Settle?
If your injuries are not severe or result in a permanent disability / health complications, your claim for compensation may be settled within 6 months. But many of the clients we represent have serious injuries, including emotional trauma from being attacked by a dog. That’s why it can take 1 to 2 years to reach a settlement if you are suing for injuries from a dog bite or attack. If your case is tried in court, it will likely take over 3 years before you are compensated, but these instances are very rare. In our experience, over 95% of all dog bite lawsuits in California are settled out of court.
How Much Time Do I have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in California?
Lawsuits for injuries caused by someone’s pet must be filed within 2 years from the incident, which means the clock starts ticking the moment you are attacked or bitten by a dog. Keep in mind that exceeding the statute of limitations will invalidate your right to a lawsuit, even if you have irrefutable evidence of the owner or dog walker’s negligence. With that in mind, don’t delay in giving us a call and starting the process for a dog bite injury claim if you were bitten by a dog that was under the care of a pet sitter or dog walker from Sitter4Paws.
Speak to a Sttter4 Paws Dog Bite Accident Lawyer
Being attacked by a dog is an extremely traumatic event that can result in devastating injuries. It’s essential to speak with a lawyer who can advise you of your rights, but you shouldn’t have to worry about the impact on your finances if you choose to hire an attorney. That’s why the dog bite injury lawyers of Normandie work under a policy known as the Zero Fee Guarantee. We ask for the defendant to cover all legal fees as a part of your settlement, so you pay $0 towards our expenses. And if we don’t win your case, you pay absolutely nothing, since we don’t get paid unless you get paid.
A California dog attack lawsuit attorney is waiting to speak with you, so contact our law firm and schedule a free case review.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Pet Sit Pros Dog Bite Attack Lawsuit Attorneys
Wag! Dog Walking Company Liability for Dog Bites Lawsuit Attorney
Fetch Pet Care Liability for Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit Lawyer
