California Injury Blog
Jaqueline Sharp, 46, was seriously injured in a San Bernardino dog bite incident involving two pit bulls. According to KCDZ radio, the dog attack occurred on Balboa in Yucca Valley, the morning of July 25, 2011. Officials say the woman was viciously attacked by the two dogs in a neighbor’s driveway. Other neighbors who witnessed the attack restrained the dogs and contacted the authorities. Sharp was severely injured in the attack and suffered multiple dog bites to her arms. It is unclear from the report who owned the dogs, if they had a history of being dangerous, or what they were doing off-leash.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jaqueline Sharp following this horrific dog attack. I wish her a complete and speedy recovery.
Pit Bull Attacks
Advocates for pit bulls often maintain that they are no more dangerous than any other breed. But, statistics say otherwise. Pit bulls are immensely powerful and when they are involved in an attack there is a greater chance of a serious injury or fatality. Perhaps the most cited report on fatal dog attacks is the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that was published in the year 2000. CDC officials reviewed fatal dog attacks over a 24-year period and found that pit bulls were involved in about a third of all fatal dog bite incidents.
Dog Bite Victims’ Rights
Victims of dog bites often suffer devastating laceration injuries. Treatment for these types of injuries is painful, expensive and complicated. Victims of California dog attacks may pursue financial compensation for the injuries, damages and losses they have suffered by filing a civil lawsuit against the dog owner. California’s Civil Code Section 3342, the state’s strict liability statute, states that dog owners are responsible for injuries and damages their pets cause – regardless of whether the attack occurs on public or private property or if the dog owner was aware of the animal’s prior viciousness.
Liability Issues
Dog bite victims can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, emergency room costs and surgery expenses. Victims would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Bernardino dog bite lawyer, who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the negligent dog owner is held accountable. Damages involving dog bite cases are usually covered by the dog owner’s homeowners insurance policy.
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Laws regarding dog bites in California can be considered strict compared to other states. If you are bitten by a person’s dog they can be held liable, even if it is the dog’s first offense. Do you feel this is fair?
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