A woman in California has filed a lawsuit following a traumatic dog attack that left her with severe injuries. Irene Gomez, the plaintiff, lodged her complaint against Sergio Fernandez Jr., Natalia Espinosa Mendoza, and unnamed defendants in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura on April 2, 2025. The case centers around an incident involving a dog owned by the defendants.
The lawsuit details an alarming event that took place on April 14, 2023. On this day, Irene Gomez was standing on the sidewalk in front of a property located at 2750 Eucalyptus Drive in Oxnard, California. According to the complaint, as she stood there, a Mastiff named "Carem," owned by defendant Natalia Espinosa Mendoza, leaped over a low fence and attacked her without provocation. The dog bit Gomez multiple times, resulting in severe and permanent injuries. The legal filing claims that the defendants were negligent in controlling their pet and failed to maintain safe premises for passersby.
Gomez's lawsuit includes several causes of action: statutory strict liability under California Civil Code §3342, common law strict liability, negligence, and premises liability. She argues that under Civil Code §3342, dog owners are liable for damages if their dog bites someone lawfully present on private or public property. Additionally, Gomez asserts that the defendants knew or should have known about the dog's aggressive tendencies yet failed to take appropriate measures to prevent harm.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court. She demands general damages for pain and suffering as well as special damages related to medical expenses incurred due to her injuries. Furthermore, she seeks compensation for lost earnings and diminished earning capacity resulting from her inability to engage in customary activities post-attack. Prejudgment interest and coverage of legal costs are also part of her demands.
Representing Irene Gomez are attorneys John M. Montevideo and Atticus N. Wegman from Montevideo Law PC based in Irvine, California. The case is filed under Case No. 2025CUIPFPO41501 at the Superior Court of California in Ventura County.