Attorneys Monte Bersante and Rebecca Larson prevail at the Washington State Court of Appeals in a case expanding landowner liability for dog bites. Oliver v. Cook, et al., No. 47645-2, dated June 14, 2016.
In a case of first impression, Division II held that a landowner may be liable to a business invitee under premises liability law for injuries caused by a third-party’s dangerous dog, reasoning that the dog could be a relevant “condition” on the property. In prior cases, Washington courts had held that only the owner, keeper, or harborer of a dangerous animal could be liable for injury caused by the animal and had not yet recognized a cause of action against a non-owner under premises liability theory.
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