In a dramatic legal turn of events, a Sonoma County resident has filed a lawsuit alleging severe personal injury due to a dog attack. The complaint was filed by Hans Carlberg in the Superior Court of California, City and County of San Francisco, on March 20, 2025, against Armando Ordonez and Martha Jiminez. The case highlights issues of negligence and strict liability under California law.
The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred on March 23, 2023. Hans Carlberg, who was employed as a building inspector for the City of Rohnert Park at the time, visited the residence of Armando Ordonez and Martha Jiminez for an official inspection. According to the complaint, while performing his duties at their home located at 711 Brett Avenue in Rohnert Park, Carlberg was attacked by Mona, a mixed-breed dog owned by the defendants. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants were negligent in controlling their dog and failed to prevent it from attacking him despite knowing its propensity for aggression.
Carlberg's legal action accuses Ordonez and Jiminez of negligence and seeks damages exceeding $35,000. He claims that due to their failure to manage their pet responsibly, he suffered severe injuries and emotional distress. The complaint also asserts that Carlberg has incurred significant medical expenses for treatment related to his injuries and anticipates further costs in the future. Furthermore, Carlberg argues that his ability to work and engage in normal activities has been severely impacted by this incident.
The lawsuit is built upon two primary causes of action: negligence and strict liability/negligence per se under California Civil Code §3342. This statute holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries caused by their pets if the victim is lawfully present on private property or public premises when bitten. Carlberg's attorney argues that since he was on duty during the attack with implied permission from the homeowners, they are liable for damages as per state law.
Hans Carlberg seeks general damages for pain and suffering as well as special damages covering medical expenses both past and future. Additionally, he requests prejudgment interest along with other costs associated with pursuing this suit against Ordonez and Jiminez.
Representing Hans Carlberg is attorney John Fitzpatrick Vannucci from his San Francisco-based law office. The case is presided over by Judge Sahar Enayati under Case ID CGC-25-623480.