Gathering Evidence in a Dog Bite Lawsuit

Dog bite lawsuits can be contentious, and placing blame can be complicated by emotional issues. The attack can be terror-laden, and dog owners can be overly loyal to an aggressive pet. Proving that the attack was unprovoked and due to problematic canine behavior rests on evidence and is critical in winning the compensation the injured party deserves. The expert evaluation of the dog and the attack provides part of the evidentiary proof. Let’s look at ways to ensure the essential evidence is compiled.

Dog bite claim amounts have increased over the years in the United States. This results from more canine/human interactions and insurance companies generating higher payouts to injured parties. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the annual liability claims related to dog bites nationwide totaled $797 million, up from $571 million in 2015. Overall, the cost of an average claim for a dog bite rose from $39,017 in 2018 to $44,760 in 2019. Depending on the severity of a dog bite, it is not unusual to see a claim amount more than 10 times the 2019 figure. 

The number of dog bites in California rose from 1,684 in 2015 to 2,166 in 2018. The nationwide number of claims increased from 17,297 in 2018 to 17,802 in 2019. Aside from increased incidents, medical expenses to treat a dog bite and higher jury awards make canine bites more costly. 

Owners are responsible for their dogs and strictly liable for dog bites inflicted by them. Under California Civil Code 3342, an owner is responsible for damages when an individual is bitten by their dog, either in a public or private area where the person has legal entry. This can include the owner’s property. It also includes those who are on the property in the performance of legal duties, such as police officers or postal workers. 

There are limits to the law. For it to apply, the dog must bite the person. This prerequisite is tricky, however, since, in some cases, just grabbing the person and holding without biting can be enough to invoke a personal injury lawsuit. This is illustrated in one California case ruled upon in 1998, where the plaintiff fell from a ladder after a dog took hold of his leg but did not break the skin. The court ruled that the defendant (the dog owner) was liable for the damages the worker suffered under California Civil Code 3342. 

In California, another law can be used against the owner if he or she did not take reasonable steps to restrain the dog. Under California Civil Code 3342.5, the dog owner must secure the animal if the canine has bitten another person on two separate occasions, bitten someone without provocation, or injured or killed another animal in the past. Anyone can petition the court to ensure that the dog is confined in such a way as to remove any danger of it biting a person or, in the extreme, have the animal put down. This law does not hold for police or military dogs or when a dog bites someone who is trespassing. 

In California, a person who owns a dog with a past history and does not restrain the dog appropriately, resulting in severe injury or death to someone, faces criminal charges. This usually occurs when the dog is not on a leash and wandering around by themselves off the owner’s property. If the person died due to the attack, the owner is charged with a felony under California Penal Code 399. The owner may be charged with a misdemeanor if the person is injured. Civil claims against the owner may still be filed within two years of the bite, even if the responsible party is convicted criminally.

As with all personal injury cases, evidence is critical to winning. This includes areas outside of the legal realm. For instance, thoroughly examining animal behavior and analyzing the bite wound provides a good understanding of the case. Experts are often relied upon to help in evaluating the incident. An attorney can bolster their case in other ways to obtain the compensation their client deserves.

Witnesses are essential in most accidents. However, dog bites happen quickly, and due to the situation’s complexity, it may be difficult to adequately see what happened. Due to a dog attack’s terror, even the plaintiff may be uncertain of the sequence of events preceding and during the assault. Since canines may view certain behaviors as provocative, the injured party may be unaware they were displaying something disturbing to the animal. Finally, the witness may not have focused on what happened before the bite since nothing seemed unusual. In the end, getting a handle on what occurred in a dog bite case, including the length of time the attack lasted, may be challenging. 

An expert needs to evaluate the dog’s behavior since it is vital in determining the outcome of the case. In most cases, an aggressive dog will display the same behavior upon examination. Sometimes, the defendant’s legal team will not want the evaluation to proceed since they are wary of how the dog will behave. Other than behavior, the following factors need to be examined:

• Size: Bigger dogs can cause significant damage.
• Breed: Some breeds are more likely to cause dog bite injuries. 
• History: The dog’s behavior in the past needs to be examined and increases the risk of an attack. This can be compiled from several sources, including reports from postal workers, animal control, and first responders or neighbors.
• Sex: Males are more aggressive than females.
• Aggressive behavior: Finding out what type of aggressive behavior the dog displayed is helpful. This can include aggressiveness against another animal or a human. 
• Canine health: It is essential to establish the age and health of a dog when the incident happens. Aggressiveness can be age and illness-related. A dog that has a painful condition is often less likely to be friendly. Also, a dog unable to run due to illness could not chase a person before biting them. 
• Housing: It stands to reason that a dog chained outside and not kept indoors may be more aggressive than one kept inside.
• Trained dogs: It is important to note if the dog needed to attend obedience- classes for bad behavior.
• Obeying leash laws: Establishing whether the dog was on a leash at the time of the bite is essential. In some cases, the dog is restrained by a retractable leash. If the length of the leash was at the maximum, it is possible that the owner did not have control at the time of the dog bite.
• Under-exercised dogs: Some dogs require massive amounts of exercise. If this is not done, the animal might be aggressive. 
• Type of bite: A provoked dog will likely bite once to remove the threat to its well-being. Some dogs do not need provocation to bite. This is called offensive aggression and usually includes multiple bites at several sites on the body. 

In any dog bite case, it is essential to determine if provocation was involved. Apparent provocation involves hitting or teasing the dog. However, humans often mistake playful behavior on their part as being aggressive. It is vital to determine what happened and how the dog interpreted it.

At our firm, our investigators examine all dog bite cases thoroughly. Not only do we speak to witnesses, neighbors, and postal workers, but we also rely on experts who evaluate the case. When our lawyers bring the case to the insurer for compensation or take it to civil court, we have accumulated all the necessary information that will result in a successful outcome for our client.

I’m Ed Smith, a dog bite lawyer in Stockton. If you have been injured by a dog, you need the help a personal injury lawyer can provide. Contact me soon after the attack at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online.

I am a member of the following organizations:

• Million Dollar Advocates
• National Association of Distinguished Counsel

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