Landlord Liability for Dog Bites

The victim of a dog bite should not assume that a landlord is liable for their bite-related damages. However, because many dog owners in California are renters, it’s worth considering whether the landlord might share financial responsibility for the bite. 

Landlord liability for dog bites is incredibly rare. Two key issues regarding landlord liability for a dog attack are whether the landlord knew a dog on one of their properties had a history of aggression and whether the landlord failed to take action that may have prevented a dog bite.

Un Los Angeles abogado de mordedura de perro from our firm will evaluate all potentially liable parties when building your case. Anyone who had a duty to protect you from an aggressive dog and failed to do so should be held accountable. 

A Landlord Can Share Liability for a Dog Bite (But Only Under Strict Conditions)

de Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) explains that about 44% of households in California are renters, which is well above the national average. This figure suggests that an outsize number of California’s dog owners rent—which also sparks the subject of landlord liability when a dog bites someone, particularly on a rented property.

Our attorneys consider two elements of liability when determining if a landlord shares responsibility for a dog bite:

1. Awareness of a dog’s aggression: If a landlord is not aware of a dog’s tendency for aggression, they are not generally liable for any bite occurring on their property. A landlord might be aware of a dog’s capacity for aggression because they have interacted with the dog, heard reports of the dog’s unfriendliness, or were told by the dog owner that the dog has a history of dangerous behavior.
2. Failure to take reasonable preventative action: If a landlord has knowledge of a dog’s capacity for aggression yet fails to take reasonable action that may have prevented a bite, they may be liable for a victim’s damages. For instance, if a renter told a landlord about a hole in the fence of a yard and specifically cited the dog’s capacity to bite someone if the dog escaped, the landlord may share liability for a resulting attack.

Knowing a landlord is liable is one thing. Proving their liability can be more challenging. This is one reason why many victims of aggressive dogs hire a lawyer to seek fair compensation from all liable parties—including negligent landlords. 

The Dog’s Owner Is Most Likely Liable for Any Bite You Suffered

Whether or not a landlord is liable for the cost of your bite, the dog’s owner almost certainly is.

California Civil Code § 3341 explicitly details a dog owner’s strict liability for harm their animal causes, whether or not the owner knew (or should have known) of the animal’s aggressive tendency. Some common failures by California dog owners that lead to innocents being harmed include:

• Failing to notify a landlord of a dog’s aggression (so the landlord can ensure the interior and exterior of the property is secure)
• Allowing an aggressive dog off-leash in a yard they know is not secure
• Taking an aggressive dog off-leash, particularly in public spaces
• Failing to warn visitors of a dog’s aggressive tendencies

It’s a dog owner’s responsibility to take every reasonable precaution to minimize the risk of a bite or attack happening. Even if the owner has no knowledge of a dog’s aggressive capacity, they should err on the side of caution and safety in every circumstance.

Remember that whether or not the dog owner was aware of a dog’s potential to bite, they are generally liable for the harm their dog causes.

How a Dog Bite Attorney May Determine Liability and Build Your Case

When a tenant’s dog bites someone, the victim deserves answers to questions like:

• Who is responsible for this traumatic event?
• If a tenant’s dog bites someone, is the landlord responsible?
• Does the landlord’s insurance have dog bite coverage?
• How do I obtain the compensation I deserve?
• What should I do after the bite?

A lawyer will answer these and any other questions you have. They will do much more for you, in fact, as their duties will also include:

• Proving whose negligence led to you being bitten (with as much evidence as possible)
• Documenting the economic and non-economic damages you’ve suffered because of the at-fault parties’ negligence (which may include both a tenant and landlord)
• Handling all necessary insurance claims processes and legal processes for you, including negotiations 
• Managing every other aspect of your case

Let a lawyer advocate for you while you focus on recovery.

Damages Every Dog Bite Victim Should Receive Fair Compensation For

Dog owners’ concerns are not always with the victim. Instead, they may be focused on questions like “Can my landlord evict me if my dog bites someone?”. It’s up to you to ensure any negligent parties (including the dog owner) are accountable, and you may elect to hire an attorney to fight for you.

Your dog bite attorney can fight for:

• All medical care stemming from the dog bite (including any cosmetic procedures you require)
• Pain and suffering, which can be substantial and long-lasting in cases like yours
• Lost income and other professional damages 
• Any mental health services related to the bite

Dog bites’ capacity to cause severe infection, appearance-altering scarring, and long-lasting trauma means that you may want to enlist a Los Angeles catastrophic injury lawyer from our firm. 

Call KJT Law Group Today for Your Free Consultation About Hiring a Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney

KJT Law Group has served dog bite victims throughout California for more than 10 years. We have secured more than $100 million for clients facing a wide range of damages, and we always demand justice when an aggressive dog (often enabled by a negligent owner) causes a victim harm.

Call KJT Law Group today for a free, no-risk consultation about how a Los Angeles dog bite attorney can assist you.