Dog Bites

California has universal strict liability laws that apply to dog bites and animal attacks. However, dog leash laws are not universal, and navigating the laws that apply to dog owners can be confusing depending on where the attack occurred.

Dog bites are unexpected, traumatic events for animal owners, witnesses, and most of all, victims. According to the CDC, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by a dog each year, and of those, about 1 in 5 require medical attention. Dog bite injuries can be extremely painful and cause permanent scarring and disfigurement, along with emotional trauma. 

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in online shopping. This surge in online shopping led to rapid growth in Amazon’s delivery fleet and the urgent hiring of drivers. The unforeseen result was more people being exposed to dogs, and more dogs being exposed to drivers. Delivery drivers are more vulnerable to dog attacks than ever before – especially in California.

With nearly 90 million domesticated dogs in the United States, it should come as no surprise that each year about 4.5 million people are attacked or bitten by dogs. Depending on the circumstances and where the injury happened, the victim may also pursue an injury claim based on the dog owner’s negligence or “strict liability” dog bite law that makes the owner liable regardless of the animal’s history or the owner’s carelessness.

In California, homeowners insurance can cover a dog bite. However, it does not always cover one. Some insurance carriers require homeowners to opt into dog bite coverage. Some carriers deny coverage of certain dog breeds altogether. To determine if the owner’s homeowners insurance policy covers your dog bite, an experienced dog bite attorney will need to review the language of the policy.