Animal Attacks

Defending victims of animal attacks
Contact Us Today

Animal Attack Attorney In Ventura, California

California Dog Bite Lawyers

If you sustained an injury on any public or private premises as a result of a dog bite, you may have legal grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Contact a personal injury attorney for a free case evaluation.

Contact Law Office of Ball & Yorke to schedule a consultation with a lawyer today. 805-642-5177

California is a Strict Liability State

California is a "strict liability" state when it comes to dog bites. This means that an owner cannot escape liability for a dog bite by claiming that he or she had no idea the dog would act aggressively. The owner is responsible for all damages resulting from a dog bite, even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. The statute itself speaks to this issue, holding the dog owner liable "regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness."


California's dog bite statute, which can be found at California Civil Code section 3342, says that the owner of any dog is liable for damages if:


  • the damages were caused by a dog bite, and the person bitten was in a public place, or was lawfully in a private place (including the dog owner's property) when the bite occurred.

Types of Damages in a Premises Liability Case

California law allows victims of negligence to pursue a couple types of damages in a personal injury claim:


  • Economic damages compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, the cost of rehabilitation and therapy, and any loss in earning capacity.
  • Non-economic damages compensate victims of negligence for the intangible losses associated with the accident. This includes pain, suffering, loss of partnership and consortium, and any loss in life quality.
  • Punitive Damages when you can establish injuries were caused by the defendant's malice, oppression or fraud, typically in cases of intentional harm or extreme recklessness. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer and to deter dangerous conduct

Your Next Steps

If you or a loved one incurred an injury as a result of a dog bite, you might be full of questions:


  • “How will I pay for my medical bills?”
  • “How will I make up for missed work?”
  • “How will I provide for my family while I’m healing?”



A personal injury claim can help you answer all these questions and more. At the Law Office of Ball & Yorke we believe you should never have to pay the price for someone else’s negligence. Call our office today to schedule a free initial consultation. Put our extensive experience and track record of success to work for you!

Contact Us Now
Share by: