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  • Dog Bite Laws: California Civil Code § 3342

    California Civil Code § 3342 Dog Bite Statute

    (a) The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness. A person is lawfully upon the private property of such owner within the meaning of this section when he is on such property in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by the laws of this state or by the laws or postal regulations of the United States, or when he is on such property upon the invitation, express or implied, of the owner. (b) Nothing in this section shall authorize the bringing of an action pursuant to subdivision (a) against any governmental agency using a dog in military or police work if the bite or bites occurred while the dog was defending itself from an annoying, harassing, or provoking act, or assisting an employee of the agency in any of the following: (1) In the apprehension or holding of a suspect where the employee has a reasonable suspicion of the suspect's involvement in criminal activity. (2) In the investigation of a crime or possible crime. (3) In the execution of a warrant. (4) In the defense of a peace officer or another person. (c) Subdivision (b) shall not apply in any case where the victim of the bite or bites was not a party to, nor a participant in, nor suspected to be a party to or a participant in, the act or acts that prompted the use of the dog in the military or police work. (d) Subdivision (b) shall apply only where a governmental agency using a dog in military or police work has adopted a written policy on the necessary and appropriate use of a dog for the police or military work enumerated in subdivision (b). Although, the owner(s)' of a dog who has bitten another person is held strictly liable for damages in California. There is a defense to this rule known as "assumption of risk" Assumption of risk can be used as a defense when the victim of a dog bite is working in the capacity of a veterinarian, or some other contracted dog handler. Cohen v. McIntyre, 16 Cal. App. 4th 650 (Cal. App. 1st Dist. June 15, 1993); Priebe v. Nelson, 140 P.3d 848 (Cal. Aug. 28, 2006). "The doctrine of assumption of risk, which is generally applicable in strict liability actions has long been recognized as a defense to a personal injury action brought pursuant to the dog bite statute (§ 3342) under appropriate facts." Priebe, 140 P.3d 848, 853.

    Can I Still Be Sued If The Dog Bite Did Not Result in Any Lacerations?

    While many may be under the impression that you can only be sued if your dog bit someone which resulted in scarring or breaking of the skin; "it is not necessary that the skin be broken in order for the statute to apply". (Johnson v. McMahan (1998) 68 Cal.App.4th 173, 176 [80 Cal.Rptr.2d 173].) In Priebe, the Supreme Court of California held that the defendant dog owner was not strictly liable when his dog bit the plaintiff kennel worker. Id. at 861. The court reasoned, "Priebe, by virtue of the nature of her occupation as a kennel worker, assumed the risk of being bitten or otherwise injured by the dogs under her care and control while in the custody of the commercial kennel where she worked pursuant to a contractual boarding agreement." Id. Similarly, the court in Cohen, held that the plaintiff veterinarian assumed the risk of being bitten by the defendant's dog, and therefore was barred from recovery. Cohen, 16 Cal. App. 4th 650, 657. However, the court in Davis v. Gaschler, held that the assumption of risk did not apply when the plaintiff stopped to help a dog that was hit by a car and was bitten by the dog. Davis v. Gaschler, 11 Cal. App. 4th 1392, 1402 (Cal. App. 3d Dist. Dec. 23, 1992). The court reasoned, "plaintiff was not employed or otherwise compensated for helping injured dogs. Nor was there an employment relationship or any relationship between plaintiff and defendants." Id. at 1401.

    Essential Elements You Must Prove in Dog Bite Statute Civ. Code, § 3342

    In California, dog owners can be held responsible for the harm from a dog bite, no matter how carefully they guard or restrain their dogs.

    In Order to Establish a Claim, Plaintiff Must Prove All of the following:

    • That defendant owned a dog;
    • That the dog bit Plaintiff while [he/she] was in a public place or lawfully on private property;
    • That Plaintiff was harmed; and
    • That Defendant's dog was a substantial factor in causing Plaintiff harm.
    The plaintiff bit by the dog was lawfully on the private property of the owner if [he/ she] was performing any duty required by law or was on the property at the invitation, express or implied, of the owner.

    Los Angeles Dog Bite Attorney

    Are you in need of a dog bite lawyer in California? A Los Angeles dog bite attorney can provide you with the services you need. KAASS Law can help you out with various types of personal injury and dog bite cases. If you have questions regarding dog bite laws in California, we invite you to contact our experienced Glendale personal injury attorneys for a consultation at {meta.phoneFormatted} or our Los Angeles branch at (310) 943-1173.
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  • What is Shifting Burden of Proof?

    Generally, in tort law, the burden of proof falls on the plaintiff. This means that the plaintiff holds the burden of proving the claims made against the defendant. This usually sounds fair because the individual making the claim should have to prove the claims they are making. However, sometimes fairness demands that the burden be switched on to the defendant to prove that they were not in fact negligent. In order for a Plaintiff to meet his or her burden of proof by circumstantial evidence.

    Such is the case for the "res ipsa loquitur" doctrine. Res ipsa loquitur is Latin for "the thing speaks for itself." Under this doctrine, the plaintiff is permitted to make a prima facia claim against the defendant for negligence, without actually having to prove the actual negligent act(s). 3-31 California Torts § 31.32

    How To Prove Res Ipsa Loquitor Negligence?

    Plaintiff must prove three (3) things,

  • The incident was of a type that does not generally happen without negligence;
  • It was caused by an instrumentality solely in defendant's control; and
  • The plaintiff did not contribute to the cause
  • Res ipsa loquitur is important because sometimes it is impossible for the plaintiff to provide evidence. This is usually the case in medical malpractice suits where the plaintiff was unconscious when the negligent act(s) causing damages occurred. In Ybarra v. Spangard, the Court held that due to the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, the burden of proof switched on to the defendants when the plaintiff was unconscious during the negligent acts and was unable to prove which medical professional acted negligently, and caused her injuries. Ybarra v. Spangard, 154 P.2d 687, 691 (Cal. Dec. 27, 1944).

    Another case where res ipsa loquitur comes into play is when multiple people may have caused the plaintiff's damages, and it would be impossible for the plaintiff to prove which exact person it was. In Summers v. Tice, the Court held that two defendants, who had negligently shot at the plaintiff, were both liable for the plaintiff's injuries even though only one of them technically caused it. Summers v. Tice, 199 P.2d 1, 5, 1948 (Cal. 1948). The Court explained that it would be impossible for the plaintiff to prove which of the defendants actually caused the injury because they both shot their guns in her direction at the same time. Id. The Court therefore applied the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, and found both defendants equally liable because neither could meet the burden of proving they did not cause the injury.

    Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, Ukrainian, French, and Italian.

    KAASS Law is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS Law expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS Law does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS Law in person at the KAASS Law office.

    KAASS Law helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.

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  • Motorcycle Accidents: Moto Vrooms, Engine Purrs, the Scariest Sound Ever Herd

    It is always a drag getting involved in a motor vehicle accident. Literally. An automobile, with all the built in protections to keep you safe and cozy from all the noise, smoke, and life threatening injuries. For Example the B-Pillar, which is the part of the automobile frame which your seat belt is usually attached to. This part of the car is a life saver from T-bone accidents and collision. See image. Now substitute the automobile with all its fine tuned standard protections against bodily injury and death with a pretty 2 wheeler. A motorcycle, yes that thing that buzzes next to you on the 10, 405, and my favorite the 2 freeway. The machine we have all wanted to ride or learn how to ride, but more one reason or many opted to save more than a pretty penny. With a motorcyclist, whom we are all afraid of injuring or potentially even worse.

    I can honestly say that after years in the practice of representing motorcycle accident victims with massive traumatic and life changing injuries, I have more or less developed a sort of PTSD. Every time I hear the purring of the motorcycle's engine in the back of my ear, I automatically remember 2 things. Do not even think about placing or answering a hands-free phone call of course and put down that country music. Post-Traumatic Stress you say? I say, my civil duty for the safety of my fellow man. Exactly. I feel as if I worry about these souls more than they. Whizzing, squeezing, cutting, splitting, and my favorite, all while stylishly popping a wheelie standing on the seat with one leg no hands or helmet, providing job security for the Highway Patrol. Oh, yes, slightly, the undiagnosed kind.

    In Los Angeles, California, out of the approximate 4 million population about 2,000 Motorcycle death or injury occurred in just in 2014 alone. California Office of Highway Safety. Yes, we are talking about the City of Los Angeles, not the County of Los Angeles, which houses an approximate 10 million residence (2014). U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, Table B02001. American FactFinder. Retrieved October 26, 2013.

    Stay safe my friends. You have all given us so much business in the past and we have fearlessly advocated for your causes and brought in the big settlement bucks. However, as I hear our attorneys time and time again pragmatically and unsuccessfully advise – "Maybe you keep off that thing for a while."

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  • Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

    Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Los Angeles

    Some common causes of motorcycle accidents, Los Angeles County:
    • Left Turns In Front of Motorcyclists: Left turn motorcycle accidents generally occur at an intersection. Often times a motorist proceeds to complete a left turn in front of oncoming traffic and collide with a motorcyclist riding in the opposing lane. Pursuant to Vehicle Code 21801 The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which is close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.
    • Unsafe Lane Changes: Unsafe lane changes, generally occur more frequently on freeways, but also on surface streets. The large majority of motorist fail to check their rear and side view mirrors. Many times motorists will abruptly change lanes without checking blind spots. We have seen this far too many times when a motorist fails to put their turn signal on and check blind spots, which ultimately results in colliding with the motorcyclist. who doesn't have time to react or has nowhere to escape. Pursuant to VC §22107 drivers must use reasonable care when turning [or moving to the right or to the left].
    • Vehicle Pulling Out of Side Streets or Parking Lot Colliding with a Motorcyclist Rider: These types of motorcycle collisions occur when a car, truck or SUV pull out in front of the motorcyclists from a side street or parking lot without looking both ways or reasonable care. These types of accidents generally cause a T-bone type or broadside collision. Under VC 21804, (a) The driver of any vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from any public or private property, or from an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic, as defined in Section 620, approaching on the highway close enough to constitute an immediate hazard, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that traffic until he or she can proceed with reasonable safety. (b) A driver having yielded as prescribed in subdivision (a) may proceed to enter or cross the highway, and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching on the highway shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle entering or crossing the intersection.

    Why Should You Hire A California Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

    Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney can help preserve your claim, increase compensation, and deal with the difficulties of dealing with insurance companies and insurance adjusters. Many times the adjusters will try to blame the motorcyclist by saying you were not riding at a safe speed during the collision or perhaps riding at excessive speed. Your motorcycle accident attorney will have Neurologists, Orthopedists, and other doctors to help treat you for your injuries. Many of these specialists take cases on a lien basis. This means that you will not have to pay out of pocket for the treatment you receive until you recover monies. to determine the full extent of the injuries. A quality motorcycle lawyer will hire experts, if necessary, to reconstruct the accident and/or speak to the forces exerted on the human body of the motorcycle rider. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Glendale near Los Angeles, CA we invite you to contact our office for a confidential consultation and case evaluation with an experienced Glendale personal injury attorneys and Los Angeles motorcycle accident lawyers at {meta.phoneFormatted}. Give us a call, our attorneys speak English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, Ukrainian, French, and Italian.
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  • California Motorcycle Property Damage Claims

    Motorcycle Property Damage Claim

    It is important that a motorcyclists documents and obtains photographs of all damage sustained to the motorcycle including dents, scrapes, bent wheels, and broken shocks. Taking photographs and even videos of the property damages your bike sustained following an accident help provide visual evidence to insurance adjusters when writing your demands and even evidence if the claim is filed litigation. Complete documentation is the best way to help ensure full recovery of repair or replacement costs.

    What Should I Do If My Bike Sustained Property Damage Following an Motorcycle Accident?

    First, you should obtain an estimate of the property damages. Generally, the property damage estimate is based on the cost of parts and the amount of time it takes to repair or replace parts based on the labor rate the motorcycle repair shop charges. It is important to remember, if your motorcycle has aftermarket parts and we damaged, as a result of the accident, the estimate may not reflect the necessary replacement cost.

    Motorcycle Accident Comprehensive Coverage

    Motorcycle accident somprehensive coverage generally covers damages caused by:

    • Fire
    • Theft
    • Vandalism
    • Adverse weather conditions
    • Falling objects
    • Hitting or being hit by an animal

    Motorcycle Custom Parts and Equipment (CPE) Coverage

    CPE coverage covers damage to custom motorcycle parts and motorcycle accessories. It is possible that your motorcycle insurance includes comprehensive insurance policy which may include some CPE coverage―usually at least $1,000 in most states.

    What if My Motorcycle is Deemed a Total Loss?

    Sometimes, the cost of repairs to the motorcycle is beyond a certain percentage of its appraised value or damage to the motorcycle is beyond repair. Thus, the insurance property damage adjuster will determine the value of your motorcycle. If you are unhappy or disagree with the appraised amount, you can do your own research on similar make and models and provide it to the insurance company in order to help establish the "fair market value" of your damaged bike.

    What if I Have a Vintage Motorcycle?

    If you were involved in an an accident with a motorcycle that is considered a "vintage model", you may want to consider getting the vintage motorcycle appraised by a specialist.

    Can I Claim Loss of Use for a Motorcycle Accident?

    If you were involved in an motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, San Bernandino, or Orange County, you may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of use of your motorcycle throughout the repair or replacement process. This compensation can be in the form of cash or reimbursement for the cost of a rental vehicle.

    FOR A FREE DETAILED REVIEW BY OUR AWARD WINNING LOS ANGELES MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

    Please call {meta.phoneFormatted} and speak to an experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorney for free on our 24/7 accident hotline. Our attorneys speak English, Spanish, Armenian, Russian, Ukrainian, French, and Italian.

    KAASS Law is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS Law expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS Law does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS Law in person at the KAASS Law office.

    KAASS Law helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, San Bernardino, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.

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  • 3 Reasons Why You Should Register Your Trademark Internationally

    One of the most difficult aspects of protecting your trademark in today's world is protecting it on an international level. Unfortunately, there is no tool that allows business owners to register a trademark "globally". Otherwise, trademark owners must register its trademark in each and every individual country where it seeks trademark protection. Starting October 1, 2017, the European Union trade mark regulation changes. The European Union Intellectual Property Office; among other things, has made a number of procedural changes, thus it is vital you speak to a Glendale trademark attorney in order to help protect your business. Here are three reasons why you should register your trademark internationally.

    1. Prevent International Businesses from Using Your Brand's Popularity

    Once you begin selling your products in international markets, your business name and brand may become more attractive as your popularity grows. Registering your trademark in countries which your products are available can prevent other businesses from attempting to confuse consumers by using your businesses identical or similar name or profit from your business's popularity.

    2. As Populatirty of Your Brand Increases, the Likelihood of International Counterfeiters Increases

    Foreign trademark filing is a big business decision, thus businesses should consider many factors when doing so. U.S. trademark law provides protection against businesses importing counterfeit goods. However, you may also register your trademark in a country where you believe counterfeit goods are originating from. This will not only help prevent counterfeit goods being exported to other countries.

    3. Prevents Other Businesses from Registering Your Businesses Brand Name, Logo, or Tagline

    If your business fails to register their trademark internationally, you bare the risk of allowing another party to "take" your trademark first in the foreign country. This can obviously create a lot of problems. For instance, this can disrupt the distribution of your products in or from the country. If you have questions regarding trademark applications or any other business law questions give us a call and receive a consultation with one of our experienced Glendale business lawyers. KAASS Law is authorized to practice law in California. The above content is intended for California residents only. This content provides only general information which may or may not reflect current legal developments. KAASS Law expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any of the contents of this website. The above content DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship. KAASS Law does not represent you unless you have expressly retained KAASS Law in person at the KAASS Law office. KAASS Law helps clients in: Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Glendale, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Studio City, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Sunland, Tujunga, Sylmar, San Bernardino, La Crescenta, La Canada, Beverly Hills, Westwood, Santa Monica, Brentwood. Pacoima, Montebello, Commerce, Alhambra, Downey, Bell, Maywood, Walnut Park, Vernon, Lynwood, Echo Park, Silverlake, Mission Hills, Northridge, Woodland Hills, Encino, Canoga Park, North Hills, Porter Ranch, Chatsworth, Reseda.
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