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Personal Injury
Fresno Dog Bite Lawyers
Were you or your child bitten by a dog in Fresno? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help victims pursue compensation for medical bills, scarring, and trauma. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review — there are no fees unless you get paid.
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Understanding Your Dog Bite Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that has recovered billions of dollars for injured Californians. Our attorneys investigate the attack, identify every source of insurance, handle the conversations with adjusters, and build your case for maximum recovery — all with personalized attention. There are no fees unless you get paid.
Take five steps to protect your health and your claim: (1) seek medical attention immediately, because bite wounds carry a high infection and rabies risk; (2) identify the dog's owner and get their contact and insurance information; (3) report the bite to Fresno County Animal Control or local law enforcement; (4) photograph your injuries, the location, and the dog if it is safe to do so; and (5) speak with a dog bite lawyer before giving any recorded statement to an insurer.
Under California Civil Code §3342, a dog owner is generally strictly liable when their dog bites someone in a public place or while the victim is lawfully on private property. Strict liability means you usually do not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or that they were careless — the owner is responsible even for a first bite. A legal professional can review who is liable in your situation during a free case review.
Dog bite victims in California can generally recover both economic and non-economic damages. These commonly include medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, and reconstructive or plastic surgery for scarring), future medical costs, lost wages, and pain, suffering, and emotional trauma — which can be significant in cases involving children or permanent disfigurement. Because every case is unique, a legal professional can review your losses during a free case review.
In most California dog bite cases you have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Claims involving a government entity — for example, a bite by a police or agency-owned dog — can have much shorter deadlines, often six months. Because missing a deadline can end your case, it is best to speak with a legal professional early.
Meet Our Dog Bite Attorneys
Nationally-Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. GuestPartner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.Partner$3.0M
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Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Do I Know If I Have a Dog Bite Claim in Fresno?
You generally have a valid dog bite claim if another person's dog bit you and caused injury, damages, and identifiable liability. In California, Civil Code §3342 imposes strict liability on the owner when a dog bites someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, so you usually do not need to prove the owner was careless. Damages include your medical bills, lost income, scarring, and emotional trauma. California's two-year statute of limitations applies, so contact Wilshire Law Firm's dog bite attorneys for a free case review.
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*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Dog Bite FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
Yes. Civil Code § 3342 applies throughout California, including Fresno, so a dog owner is generally liable for a bite in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property, even for a first bite. In an agricultural region like the Central Valley, encounters with working and guard dogs are common, and strict liability still applies to a bite.
A dog bite case arising in Fresno is generally handled in the Fresno County Superior Court, depending on where the attack happened. Venue rules can vary. Your attorney can confirm the right courthouse.
You may still have a claim. The strict-liability statute is specific to bites, so injuries from a dog that lunges, knocks you over, or scratches you are usually pursued under ordinary negligence, for instance, when an owner let a dog run loose. These claims turn on the facts, so it is worth a legal review.
You generally have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. The deadline can be shorter when a government entity is involved. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm yours promptly.