Facts

On or about May 2016, plaintiff Christopher Beason was a hotel guest at the Guesthouse Inn, in Upland. He was 13 years old when he was attacked by a pitbull dog owned by hotel guest Candace Woodward. The pitbull attacked Beason as he was walking a dog in the common area. Beason sustained wounds to his right arm and filed suit against the dog owner and hotel.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff alleged that the hotel had notice of the pitbull dog killing a stray cat on the property weeks before it attacked him.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant Guesthouse Inn denied any knowledge of a dog killing a cat on the property and that it had no notice that the dog was dangerous.

Settlement Discussions

Defendant Guesthouse Inn made a CCP 998 offer for $150,000.

Injuries

Bite wounds to right arm with scarring.

Result

At the conclusion of a six-day trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff. Plaintiff was awarded $200,000 for past non-economic damages and $50,000 for future non-economic damages. The jury attributed 90% of negligence to the dog owner and 10% negligence to the hotel. Past and future medical expenses were waived.

Deliberation

one day

Length

six days