If you have been the victim of a dog bite in the State of California, you will be comforted to learn that the state of California takes dog bites very seriously and will hold someone responsible for your injuries. California dog bites are very common, with thousands of cases each year. In the state of California, the owner of the dog is responsible for the dog bite, and consequently liable for damages any individual suffers as the result of the dog bite. Whether you have been bitten in public or in a private location, you have cause for action under most circumstances. Even if California dog bites occur on a personal property and cause damage, the owner of the dog is still held liable.



If you are considered to be on the property owned by another individual and are on the property lawfully, you also have cause to file a claim against the owner of the dog. For example, if you were breaking and entering into a private home and sustained a dog bite, you have no cause for action as your presence there was not lawfully conducted. However, if you were invited to the property by the owner, either written or verbally then you will have cause against the owner of any dog that bites you. Even if you have not been given implied or expressed invitation, but are on the property for a cold call, sales call, visit, or to deliver mail or papers for example, you will still have cause. So long as you are lawfully on any property, and you are not breaking laws to be there, you will have cause for a case, however you will have to prove damages in court.

There are some exceptions to this rule, with the exceptions lying on the kind of dog that bites you, as under California law, when dogs are functioning in ?official capacity' claims against the owners are difficult. Dogs that are working in official capacity would include dogs such as military or police dogs, and claims that are made during the dog's ?work time' would not have action. If a military or police dog is assisting a public employee in warrant execution, search and rescue, or in the investigation of a potential crime, claims will not be allowed. If however the individual bitten by a working dog is not a part of the investigation, or any participant in the action or case that the dog is assisting at the time, then the individual is considered a bystander and may be allowed to file for claim. When these dogs are poorly trained, California dog bites can occur with innocent passerby, and the State of California will likely award damages.

If you are a dog owner and concerned you may become a defendant in a dog bite case, you can avoid liability by posting a sign on your property for individuals and passerby to keep out or not trespass without expressed or implied invitation to enter. If your sign is visible, easy to read and understood, and well-lit at night, then your liability may be minimized. California dog bite cases often carry a ?no tolerance' air to them and you may be minimally liable, but much less so than without the sign.

If you have been the victim of a dog bite within the state of California, or are if you are being sued in a dog bite case, contact a lawyer immediately.