Fresno Dog Bites Lawyer
Bitten by a dog in Fresno? Golden Gate Legal's experienced dog bite lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
A dog bite can leave deep scars, both physically and emotionally, that last long after the initial attack. If you are looking for legal representation in the Fresno area, we encourage you to contact us at the number below.
Golden Gate Legal has years of experience handling dog bite cases and helping victims in Fresno get the justice they deserve. We've created this guide to provide clear direction on what to do after a bite, offer an overview of the legal process, and address the questions you might have.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Fresno
If a dog bites you in Fresno, it's very important to take the following steps:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority is to create distance between you and the animal to prevent any further harm. Once you are in a secure spot after the incident in Fresno, carefully check yourself and anyone with you for injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
After a dog bite, your health is the top priority, so call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room without delay. Getting checked by a doctor is vital to prevent serious infections and to make sure your injuries are officially documented.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Contact the police and animal control to create an official record of the incident. They will gather statements and details about the dog and its owner, and you should request a copy of their report for your own files.
Collect Information and Evidence
Gather the dog owner's name and contact information, find out if the dog is up-to-date on its rabies shots, and take pictures of your injuries, the dog itself, and the surrounding area. This evidence is vital for ensuring you receive proper medical care and for strengthening any potential legal claim you may have.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
Navigating the aftermath of a dog bite in Fresno can be overwhelming, which is why seeking professional legal advice is so important. Golden Gate Legal’s attorneys will take charge of your case, from dealing with insurance adjusters to fighting for the financial settlement you deserve, so you can concentrate on healing.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
With dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and other personal injury claims for clients in Fresno, Golden Gate Legal is here to help. Here are a few reasons why you should choose our firm:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: Our duty is to guide you through the recovery process and ensure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to.
- We Will Protect You at All Costs: It is our top priority to protect your rights and interests while you focus on your recovery.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees upfront, and we only receive a fee when we win or settle your case.
- We Are Available at All Times: Our team is ready to provide strong support and help you make the right decisions whenever you need us.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We handle every step of your Fresno personal injury claim so you can focus on what matters most: your recovery. Here’s how the process works:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost meeting to listen to your side of the story, assess the details of the dog bite, and evaluate the strength of your case.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team gathers crucial evidence like medical records and witness statements, and we handle all the claim filing and communication with insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: As you recover, we help coordinate your medical care and monitor your progress to ensure your case fully reflects the injuries you've sustained.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: Once your treatment is finished, we create a detailed demand package and negotiate with the dog owner's insurance company to get you the highest possible settlement.
- Litigation (if necessary): If a fair settlement isn't offered, our experienced trial attorneys are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and advocate for you in court.
- You Get Paid: After your case is successfully resolved, we finalize all the necessary paperwork to ensure you receive your compensation check for your damages without delay.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
In California, if you've been injured by a dog bite, the law allows you to seek financial compensation for the various damages you've suffered as a result of the incident. Compensatory damages for dog bites in California may include the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Future medical care and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Psychological counseling
To protect their bottom line, insurance companies and at-fault parties will often try to undervalue your claim, which is why it's so important to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal handling your case.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this isn't a complete list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
A dog's sharp teeth can create deep puncture wounds or jagged lacerations that tear through skin and underlying tissue, often causing significant bleeding, carrying a high risk of infection, requiring stitches, and leaving permanent scars.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
When a dog's teeth break the skin, the risk of infection is significant, as bacteria from the animal's mouth can cause serious issues ranging from localized abscesses to dangerous systemic conditions that require immediate medical care.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A particularly deep bite, especially in delicate areas such as the hands or face, can damage underlying nerves. This may lead to a loss of feeling, numbness, persistent pain, or even permanent functional problems if not properly treated.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Dog bites often leave behind permanent scars, which can be especially severe on exposed areas like the hands and face. For serious injuries where tissue is torn away, reconstructive or plastic surgery may be required to minimize the long-term disfigurement and help restore the person's original appearance.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
The powerful jaws of some dogs, especially larger ones, can exert enough force to break bones or cause severe crush damage to soft tissue and joints. These injuries are often marked by significant swelling and bruising and may necessitate surgery, splints, or physical therapy to ensure proper healing.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
The psychological impact of a dog attack can be as devastating as the physical wounds, often causing long-term emotional trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder that may require therapy, particularly for children, to help them feel safe again.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Fresno
While every dog and situation is different, most dog bite incidents in Fresno can be traced back to a few common causes:
Lack of Proper Training
A dog without proper training or socialization might not know how to handle a scary situation, leading them to bite simply because they are frightened or don't understand what's happening.
Fear or Startling
When a dog is caught off guard by a quick movement or a loud bang, it might react defensively and bite without thinking.
Territorial Behavior
A dog may instinctively guard its home, yard, or family, and could bite if it perceives an approaching person as a threat to its territory.
Rough Play
Forceful play or handling can make a dog feel like it's in danger, causing it to respond with aggression as a form of self-protection.
Protective Instincts
If a dog is guarding something important to them, whether it's a toy, their food bowl, or a person, they may bite out of instinct if you try to take it away.
Pain or Illness
When a dog is injured or ill, a sudden touch can lead to a bite because the dog anticipates that the contact will cause more pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
For our Fresno clients, there are no initial costs to begin a personal injury claim. We only collect a fee if we win or settle your case, so you owe nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, a dog's owner is held responsible for bite injuries under a 'strict liability' rule. This means that even if the owner denies responsibility, they are generally liable for the damages their dog causes. It doesn't matter if the dog had never been aggressive before or if the owner claims they weren't careless. You usually just need to show that the bite happened and that you were injured as a result.
There are a few exceptions, though. If the person who was bitten was trespassing on private property or provoked the animal, the owner's responsibility might be lessened or even dismissed. Because of these nuances, understanding the specific context of your dog bite incident in Fresno is crucial.
How long do I have to take legal action after a dog bite?
In California, you have a two-year window from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit for a dog bite, according to Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't act within that time, you will almost certainly lose your right to pursue a claim, even if the dog's owner was clearly negligent.
For victims who were children at the time of the attack, the rule is different. The two-year statute of limitations doesn't start until they reach the age of 18, giving them an extended period to take legal action.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you file a claim, your insurance company has 15 days to acknowledge it and start looking into the details. From the day they receive all your required documents, they then have 40 days to decide whether to accept or deny your claim.
If the insurance company approves your claim, they are required to send the payment within 30 days. This means that, according to the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, the whole settlement process should typically be wrapped up within 85 days from when you submitted your completed claim.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Yes. In Fresno, a dog owner is still responsible for a bite even if their dog was leashed or had no prior history of aggression. California law holds the owner accountable as long as you were lawfully present when the bite occurred.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
At Golden Gate Legal, our first step is to listen to your story. We want to understand the full impact the accident has had on your life in Fresno, so you have a dedicated partner in your corner. We'll also work to grasp the extent of your injuries, and if needed, connect you with trusted medical specialists for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Your main focus should be on your health and recovery. While you do that, our team will manage the legal complexities of your case. We will fight to secure the financial compensation you need to cover everything from medical bills and lost income to the pain and emotional distress you've endured.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for legal support
Golden Gate Legal has helped countless personal injury victims get back on their feet. Let’s do the same for you.
Call us now at (310) 445-3425 or click below for your free consultation.
Protecting your rights when you need it most
We believe in doing what’s right: you focus on your recovery, and we’ll handle the legal process from start to finish.
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We are available at all times
No legal fees paid upfront
We will protect you at all costs
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