Recent Case Results

Gomez vs. Becerra, Dog Attack Trial: Offer: $0, Verdict: $417,000.00 (plus costs & interest)

Case No. VC32956. According to plaintiff: A young girl was viciously attacked by a pit bull while in a neighbor's yard. The plaintiffs were Natalie Gomez, eight years old at the time of the attack, and Valerie Gomez, ten years old at the time of the attack. The defendants were Artemio L. Becerra, owner of the property jointly with his ex-wife, and Elvira Becerra Jiminez, owner and occupier of the property. On July 13, 2000, at 10:30 a.m., plaintiff Natalie Gomez was attacked by defendants' pit bull dog in front of her sister, Valerie. The incident occurred at the home of defendants. Plaintiffs Natalie and Valerie accompanied the defendants' daughter, Lauren Becerra, and Natalie's cousin, Bridget Hernandez, to defendants' home to retrieve some clothing that had been left there on the previous day. When the girls went out into the yard to obtain the clothing, Lauren dropped some lip gloss and Natalie stopped to pick it up. When she bent down, the dog attacked. Natalie's father, Fermin Gomez, rescued her from the dog. Defendants contended that Jiminez did not own the dog; however, she admitted to ownership on the stand. She also contended that she did not give the Gomez girls permission to be on the property, even though her daughter had invited them. Defendant Becerra contended that he did not own the pit bulls and should be treated like a landlord.

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