Q: We are being sued as landlords for a home that we bought for our disabled son for a dog bite.
We are the owners of a house in San Jacinto that we have bought for our totally disabled son and family. They hired (without our knowledge) a professional dog trainer from Temecula, who charged $400.00 for travel and evaluation for future training of the dog. After taking the dog outside, they returned to the house and the trainer started to give and tease the dog with treats, knowing that the dog was aggressive, because she was told before she accepted the assignment to come to San Jacinto. The dog got agitated because of the teasing with the treat and bit her. She does NOT say anything about being a trained dog expert in her suit. Research shows that she does NOT have business license in San Jacinto – or Temecula where her business is. Can we get a referral to a defense lawyer?
A:
If your lack of insurance was because of financial challenges, you might have more than you can handle when hiring a Defense Lawyer. S/he will bill on an hourly rate and ask for, I suspect, a sizable retainer. Is that something you can handle?
The "Victim" has a lawyer on a contingency, but you won't.
Maybe trying to mediate/arbitrate, if both sides can agree, without a lawyer.
ideally, I think you would want to convince the plaintiff and his/her lawyer that there are no assets to satisfy a judgment. Of course, the equity in your home will be an issue for anything you would owe up to the limits prescribed by law.
Arguably the "victim" has negatives against her by not being licensed, representing herself as a professional who should have known better etc
A: Turn it over to your insurance company. Generally you would not have any liability for the actions of your adult son just because he's living in a home you own.
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