When a dog bites someone, it can be a complicated situation. The person who was bitten should receive full compensation, and the person responsible for the dog bite should be held responsible. Determining who is actually responsible is the first step in this process. This could be a problem if the dog owner is a different person than the person keeping the dog. There is an answer to that problem, however.

Who is Responsible?

Normally the dog’s owner would be liable if their dog bit someone. There are some stipulations to this rule, however.

If another person is the dog’s keeper, that person may be liable instead of the actual owner. The law actually states that the person keeping the dog is considered the owner, and not the person who the dog is registered to. If the dog has been in someone’s care for more than six days, they are then considered the owner of the dog.

The courts are the ones who ultimately decide who is considered the dog’s keeper or owner. Usually, the person who cares for the dog has the dog living in their home, and have control over the dog is the person who is liable. If a person agrees to care for the dog for an extended period or is hired to take care of the dog, they are liable if the dog bites someone.

Sometimes, even if you just let a person stay in your home who owns a dog, you may be liable if that dog bites someone. By agreeing to allow the dog to stay in your home for an extended period of time, you are essentially making yourself the keeper of the dog.

In almost every case, the keeper of the dog is the person who is liable for a dog bite.

Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles

If you have been bitten by a dog, you may need legal assistance to get financial compensation. A Los Angeles dog bite lawyer could help you begin the process and figure out who is liable for the dog bite. With the help of a Los Angeles dog bite attorney, you will get the compensation you deserve. Call us or send us a message today so we can talk about your case.