Dog Bite Law Glossary

Strict liability is a legal doctrine that holds a defendant responsible for injuries caused by their...

California Civil Code Section 3342 is the state's dog bite strict liability statute, which provides ...

The provocation defense in California dog bite law is the dog owner's argument that the victim's own...

The one-free-bite rule is a common-law principle that held a dog owner liable for a bite only if the...

Comparative fault is California's system for apportioning liability between parties based on each pa...

The statute of limitations is the legally mandated deadline for filing a civil lawsuit; after this d...

The trespass defense to California Civil Code Section 3342 strict liability applies when the bite vi...

A lawful visitor under California Civil Code Section 3342 is any person in a public place or on priv...

Disfigurement is a permanent or long-lasting physical change to a person's appearance caused by inju...

A dangerous dog declaration is a formal legal determination by a court or animal control authority t...

Homeowner's insurance is a personal liability insurance policy covering the policyholder and househo...

Punitive damages are an award beyond compensatory damages, available under California Civil Code Sec...

A life care plan is a comprehensive expert document projecting the lifetime medical costs of a serio...

Respondeat superior is a legal doctrine that holds an employer vicariously liable for the negligent ...

Negligence per se is a doctrine under which violation of a statute or regulation satisfies the negli...

Loss of consortium is a claim by the spouse or domestic partner of an injured person for loss of com...

A guardian ad litem is a person appointed by a court to represent the legal interests of a minor or ...

A survival action under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 377.30 is a claim brought by the ...

An animal control ordinance is a local government regulation governing the ownership, licensing, res...

Under California Probate Code Section 3500, any settlement of a civil claim on behalf of a minor req...