If I’m training my dog with a dog trainer and my dog bites them, am I responsible for their medical bills?
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If I’m training my dog with a dog trainer and my dog bites them, am I responsible for their medical bills?
There was no written or verbal training agreement or liability form signed. This person traines group and one on one, bye email and on a cash bases?
Asked on August 21, 2013 under Personal Injury, Florida
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
As the owner of a dog, you are liable for the injury to the dog trainer bitten by your dog.
The dog trainer's personal injury claim will include the medical bills, pain and suffering (an amount in addition to the medical bills), and wage loss. Compensation for the medical bills is straight reimbursement. Compensation for pain and suffering is an amount in addition to the medical bills based on the medical reports which document the nature and extent of the injury. Compensation for wage loss is straight reimbursement.
If the case is settled with the dog trainer, NO lawsuit is filed. If the case is NOT settled with the dog trainer, the dog trainer could sue you for negligence (that degree of care that a reasonable dog owner would have exercised under the same or similar circumstances to prevent foreseeable harm) if this is the dog's first incident of biting. If the dog has a history of biting, you could be sued for strict liability which imposes liability whether or not due care was exercised.
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