In the recent Connecticut Supreme Court case of Giacalone v. Housing Authority of the Town of Wallingford, the court upheld the right of a person injured in a dog attack to pursue a claim for damages against a landlord if the landlord knows that there is a dangerous dog on the premises and fails to take remedial action.  The plaintiff in the case, Patricia Giacalone, filed suit after she was attacked by a dog and suffered injuries at an apartment complex.  The trial judge dismissed the complaint and ruled that the only person to sue in such a situation would be the owner or keeper of the dog.  The Connecticut Appellate Court reversed that decision and ruled that a person injured in a dog attack could also recover damages from a landlord who is aware of the dangerous dog.  The Connecticut Supreme Court upheld that decision.

“This decision by the Connecticut Supreme Court acknowledges the importance of holding property owners and landlords legally accountable when they allow dangerous conditions to exist on their properties.  It also makes clear that it is important that a person injured in a dog attack have an opportunity to recover legal compensation for injuries from a number of different potential sources.  Oftentimes, the dog owner or keeper does not have liability insurance to cover these damages.”  Timothy L. O’Keefe, Kenny, O’Keefe & Usseglio, P.C.