Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
Dog Bite and Dog Owner Rents a SF home
A dog bit me and the dog was not on leash. I was walking on the sidewalk. The owner of the dog rents his home. I have been told by twothat an attorneys that they will not take the case because the owner is not the homeowner. One attorney will take the case but wants money up front from me which will be returned to me at the settlement which he thinks can be done without going to court. Another attorney wants me to go to small claims but I want an attorney between me and this dog owner who was very unpleasant in many ways. Is there anyone with experience in this area who will take this case on contingency?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Dog Bite and Dog Owner Rents a SF home
The key issue is not whether the dog owner is a renter or a homeowner but whether the dog owner has renter's insurance which would provide liability coverage for your injuries and damages. Many dog owners are renters but if they have the proper liability coverage, it does not matter at all whether they owned the home they were living in. If your injuries and medical bills are relatively minor, Small Claims court might be better in terms of getting a judgment against the dog owner or having the dog owner voluntarily pay you for your claim. Just because the dog owner is unpleasant is no reason to hire an attorney and file a lawsuit if that is not necessary.
If the dog owner is uninsured, you may have difficulty in getting anything from him. It would be similar to the dog owner being an "uninsured motorist". If you can determine that the owner does have the proper insurance and your claim is of sufficient size, most personal injury attorneys will take the case on a contingency basis.
I wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
SAM M. EAGLE
ATTORNEY AT LAW
10101 SLATER AVE #218
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA 92708
TELEPHONE: (714) 963-5123
FACSIMILE: (714) 964-9993
E-MAIL: [email protected]
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