Managing Partner
Losing a loved one to an animal attack is shocking, painful, and often avoidable. In an instant, someone’s pet or another unsecured animal can cause irreversible harm. If you’re facing this kind of loss, you may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under California law. While no lawsuit can ease the grief, legal action can help bring accountability and financial relief to surviving family members. At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, we help families take that step forward with strength and care.
When an Animal Attack Leads to a Wrongful Death
Animal attacks can turn deadly in just seconds. While dog bites are the most common cause, fatal incidents can also involve exotic pets, livestock, or animals kept under unsafe conditions. Under California law, wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to another party’s negligence or wrongful act, and this includes situations where an animal is not properly trained, contained, or supervised.
Some examples of fatal animal attacks that may support a wrongful death claim include:
- A neighbor’s dog attacks a child on the sidewalk
- An unleashed dog causes a fatal fall or injury
- A business allows a dangerous animal on the premises
- Livestock escape an enclosure and cause a traffic collision
The key question in these cases is whether the owner or handler failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in California?
California law limits who can file a wrongful death lawsuit. If your loved one passed away due to an animal attack, you may be eligible to bring a claim if you are:
- A surviving spouse or domestic partner
- A child of the deceased
- A parent or other dependent family member (in certain cases)
In some situations, multiple family members can be part of the same claim. These lawsuits are civil claims meant to compensate the survivors for their losses, not to punish the animal owner directly. However, depending on the facts, the person responsible may also face criminal penalties or fines through other channels.
Damages You May Be Able to Recover
Wrongful death lawsuits help families recover compensation for the emotional and financial harm caused by a loved one’s passing. While no amount of money can replace a person, these damages can help you stay afloat during an incredibly difficult time.
Potential compensation includes:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills related to the fatal injury
- Loss of future income or support that the deceased would have provided
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and care
- Emotional suffering and distress
Every case is different. We take the time to understand the full impact the loss has had on your family and work to recover the maximum compensation available under the law.
What Makes These Cases Challenging
Animal attack cases often raise complicated legal and factual questions. Proving that an owner or caretaker was legally responsible isn’t always straightforward.
Issues that often come up include:
- Whether the animal had a history of prior aggression
- Whether the owner complied with leash laws, fencing requirements, or warning signs
- Whether the animal was in a public place, on someone else’s property, or escaped from its enclosure
- The presence of animal control records, veterinary history, or witness accounts
In some situations, landlords or businesses may also be liable if they knew about a dangerous animal on the premises but failed to act. Our team works to identify every responsible party and gather the evidence necessary to establish fault.
How We Can Help
We understand that no one wants to think about lawsuits while grieving. But you shouldn’t have to worry about legal matters or insurance companies while trying to heal. At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, we bring decades of experience handling wrongful death and serious injury claims throughout California.
We take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and handle the legal process from start to finish. Our goal is to ease the burden, allowing your family to focus on what matters most.
Holding Negligent Owners Accountable
Fatal animal attacks are tragic and often preventable. When someone fails to control a dangerous animal and a life is lost, the law offers a way for families to seek justice. If you’ve lost a loved one due to an animal attack in California, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and how we can support you during this difficult time.