Fresno Dog Bites Lawyer
Looking for a dog bite attorney in Fresno? The experienced lawyers at Golden Gate Legal can help you navigate your case and fight for you.
A dog bite can be a traumatic experience, leaving both physical and emotional scars that are difficult to heal. If you're seeking legal representation in the Fresno area after an incident, our team is here to help you understand your options.
Golden Gate Legal has extensive experience representing victims in dog bite cases across Fresno, fighting to get them the compensation they deserve. This article will guide you on what to do immediately after a bite, provide an overview of the legal process, and address the key questions you may have along the way.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Fresno
If you've been bitten by a dog in Fresno, it's important to follow these steps:
Make Sure You're Safe
Your first priority after a bite is to get to a safe distance from the animal to prevent another attack. Once you're out of immediate danger anywhere in Fresno, carefully check yourself and any companions for injuries.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your health is the top priority, so call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate medical care. Even seemingly minor wounds can lead to serious infections, and seeking prompt treatment ensures your injuries are properly documented.
Call the Police and Animal Control
Call the police and animal control to create an official report, which is an important step for your protection. They will document the incident and gather information, and you can then request a copy of the report for your records.
Collect Information and Evidence
Gather the owner’s contact and insurance information, find out the dog's vaccination history, and take clear photos of your injury, the animal, and the location of the bite. This documentation is vital for your medical safety and for building a strong foundation for your claim.
Contact Golden Gate Legal for Help
When a dog bite happens in Fresno, let the compassionate attorneys at Golden Gate Legal take on the legal burden for you. We will manage all communications with insurance companies and work tirelessly to secure the justice and financial recovery you need to heal.
Why Choose Golden Gate Legal
Golden Gate Legal has dedicated years of experience handling dog bite cases and many other personal injury proceedings for residents of Fresno. Here are a few reasons why you should choose us to represent you:
- We Will Get You Maximum Compensation: We fight to make sure you recover all the damages you are legally entitled to, without losing a single penny.
- We Will Protect you at All Costs: Our top priority is to fiercely defend your rights and interests throughout the entire legal process.
- No Legal Fees Upfront: You do not pay any legal fees unless we win or settle your case, so there is no financial risk to you.
- We Are Available at all times: Our team is here for you 24/7 to answer your questions and provide the support you need when you need it.
We encourage you to check out our Client Testimonials.
Legal Process Overview
We take care of every step of the legal process for our clients in Fresno so you can focus on what matters most—your healing:
- Free Consultation & Case Evaluation: We start with a no-cost consultation to discuss the details of your dog bite incident, address your concerns, and determine the strength of your claim.
- Evidence Collection & Claim Filing: Our team will meticulously gather all necessary evidence, from medical reports to witness accounts, and manage all communications and paperwork with the insurance companies for you.
- Medical Treatment Coordination: We can assist in coordinating your medical care and will track your recovery progress to ensure the full extent of your injuries is documented for your case.
- Demand Letter & Negotiation: After you've completed your medical treatment, we will compile a detailed demand letter and negotiate aggressively with the dog owner's insurance provider, or directly with the owner, to secure the best possible settlement for you.
- Litigation (if necessary): Should the opposing party refuse a fair settlement, our skilled trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight for your rights before a judge and jury.
- You Get Paid: Upon the successful resolution of your case, we handle the final paperwork swiftly so you can receive your compensation and cover all related expenses without delay.
What Types of Damages Can You Claim After a Dog Bite?
In California, the law allows individuals injured in a dog bite to seek compensation for the damages they've suffered. 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
Insurance companies and at-fault parties often attempt to undervalue your claim to protect their profits, making it essential to have experienced California personal injury attorneys like those at Golden Gate Legal fighting for you.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While this is not a complete list, here are some of the most common types of injuries we handle in personal injury cases:
Puncture Wounds & Lacerations
Puncture wounds and lacerations from a dog bite occur when sharp teeth pierce or rip the skin and damage the tissues below. These injuries can bleed profusely, carry a significant risk of infection, often necessitate stitches, and may result in lasting scars.
Infections & Soft-Tissue Damage
A bite that pierces the skin can transfer bacteria from the dog's mouth into the wound, potentially causing localized skin infections or more severe, body-wide conditions if not treated properly.
Nerve Damage & Functional Impairments
A particularly deep bite, especially in a sensitive area like the hands or face, can damage underlying nerves. This may lead to numbness, tingling, or chronic pain, and if not addressed quickly, could result in a permanent loss of function in the affected body part.
Scarring & Disfigurement
Dog bites often leave scars that are especially noticeable on areas like the face and hands. If the injury involves serious tissue damage or tearing, reconstructive surgery may be needed to help restore the victim's appearance and reduce the lasting disfigurement.
Crush Injuries & Fractures
A bite from a larger dog can exert enough force to crush soft tissue or even break bones, resulting in serious fractures or trauma to the joints. Such injuries typically involve major swelling and bruising and could necessitate surgery, a cast, or a lengthy period of physical therapy for complete healing.
PTSD & Emotional Trauma
Beyond the physical wounds, a dog attack can inflict significant emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder and a persistent fear of animals, which may require professional therapy to address, especially in children.
Common Causes of Dog Bites in Fresno
Most dog bite incidents in Fresno can be traced back to a few key causes:
Lack of Proper Training
A dog lacking adequate training or socialization may not possess the skills to navigate stressful encounters, potentially resorting to a bite driven by fear or confusion.
Fear or Startling
Likewise, a dog that is startled by a sudden approach or an unexpected noise may bite defensively in response to a perceived threat.
Territorial Behavior
Dogs often view their home, yard, or even their owner as territory worth defending, and may bite if they feel a person is encroaching on that space.
Rough Play
When playtime gets too rough, a dog might feel threatened and could bite or snap in an attempt to stop the interaction it perceives as dangerous.
Protective Instincts
A dog may instinctively guard things it considers valuable, from its food bowl to a family member. Attempting to take these things away can be perceived as a threat, causing the dog to bite.
Pain or Illness
When a dog is sick or injured, it may bite if startled or touched, as it might view any physical contact as a source of more pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
If you've been injured in Fresno, you won't pay any legal fees out-of-pocket. Our firm only collects a fee if we win your case, so hiring us comes at no cost to you unless we secure a settlement.
What if the dog’s owner denies responsibility?
In California, the law operates on a 'strict liability' basis. This means a dog's owner is held responsible for injuries from a bite, even if the dog had never shown aggression before or the owner wasn't being careless. Generally, you don't have to prove the owner was negligent; you just need to show that the bite happened and resulted in an injury.
Even if an owner denies responsibility, their liability can sometimes be lessened or even dismissed if the person who was bitten was trespassing or provoked the animal. The specific circumstances are crucial, which is why understanding your rights after a dog bite incident in Fresno is so important.
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 bite to file a lawsuit under Civil Code § 335.1. If you don't act within that period, you will almost certainly lose your right to sue, even if the dog's owner was clearly at fault.
However, there's an exception for minors. If the person bitten was under 18, the two-year clock doesn't start ticking until their 18th birthday, giving them more time to take legal action.
In California, how long does an insurance company have to settle a claim?
In California, once you notify your insurance company, they have 15 days to acknowledge your claim and start their investigation. After you provide all the necessary paperwork, they have an additional 40 days to review everything and make a decision to either approve or deny your claim.
If your claim is approved, the insurance company is required to issue payment within 30 days. Based on the state's Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, this means the entire process from when you first file to when you receive payment should not exceed 85 days.
Can I file a claim if the dog was on a leash or had no prior bite history?
Absolutely. In Fresno, a dog owner is responsible for a bite even if their dog was on a leash and had never shown aggression before. As long as you were legally on the property where the incident took place, the owner can be held liable.
How will Golden Gate Legal actually help me?
Here at Golden Gate Legal in Fresno, our first step is to listen to your story. We want to understand what you're going through and make sure you feel heard and supported. We will also evaluate the extent of your injuries and can connect you with top medical specialists to ensure you get the right care.
While you concentrate on your health and recovery, our team will handle all the complex legal details. We will fight to secure the financial compensation you are entitled to, covering everything from medical bills and lost wages to the pain and emotional distress you've experienced.
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.
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