Fresno Dog Bite Lawyers

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In the idyllic setting of Fresno, with its perfect climate and diverse geography, owning a pet, especially a dog, is a common and enjoyable experience. In fact, according to the 2022 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, Fresno County has a dog ownership rate of 38.6 percent, and the number of dogs per household in Fresno County is 1.4. The total population of dogs owned in Fresno County is believed to be 152,000.

However, there are times when interactions with dogs can lead to aggressive behavior, including dog bites that cause serious injury.

At Wilshire Law Firm, our Fresno dog bite attorneys represent victims of dog bites, leveraging California’s strict liability laws to ensure justice and financial compensation for our clients.

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Why Choose Wilshire Law Firm’s Fresno Dog Bite Lawyers?
Dog Bite Compensation
Where Can Fresno Dog Bite Incidents Occur?
Our Focus on Fresno Dog Bite Accidents
Types of Injuries from Dog Bites
Fighting the Insurance Company After a Fresno Dog Bite Accident
Dog & Animal Bite FAQs
What to Do After a Fresno Dog Bite Incident
Our Fresno Office Location

Why Choose Wilshire Law Firm’s Fresno Dog Bite Lawyers?

Wilshire Law Firm is a top choice for dog bite legal representation in Fresno, distinguished by our comprehensive knowledge of California’s dog bite laws and our dedication to our clients. Our team is supported by a notable track record of success, ensuring that our clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve.

Wilshire Law Firm has been honored with several prestigious awards and recognitions attesting to our excellence in legal representation:

“Best Law Firm” Awards: Our firm has been recognized as one of the “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, a testament to our legal expertise and client service.
Top Legal Professionals: Our team includes attorneys who have been listed among the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and recognized by other esteemed organizations like the American Board of Trial Advocates and Super Lawyers.
Record of High-Value Settlements and Verdicts: We have consistently achieved top verdicts and settlements, including over $1 billion in the area of personal injury law, showcasing our ability to secure large amounts of compensation for our clients.

Our office at 1221 North Van Ness Avenue Suite 301, Fresno, CA 93704, is conveniently located near local landmarks such as the Fresno County Public Library, Courthouse Park, and Veterans Memorial Museum. This central location ensures easy access for clients, reflecting our commitment to being an integral part of the Fresno community.

The welcoming environment of our office is designed to provide comfort and support to clients. We understand the physical and emotional trauma that can accompany dog bite incidents, and we ensure that our clients feel heard, understood, and valued throughout their legal journey.

Dog Bite Compensation

In Fresno, victims of dog bites may be entitled to several different types of compensation under California’s strict liability laws. At Wilshire Law Firm, we focus on securing comprehensive compensation for these victims, addressing each aspect of their damages thoroughly.

Medical Bills

Compensation for medical bills covers the cost of medical treatment resulting from the dog bite, including emergency room visits, surgeries, ongoing medical care, and rehabilitation costs. To prove these damages, we gather all medical records, bills, and expert testimony regarding the required and potential future medical treatments. This involves documenting the immediate treatments and assessing long-term medical needs.

We ensure that all medical expenses, both current and projected, are fully accounted for. Our firm works with medical professionals to provide a detailed picture of the victim’s medical requirements and associated costs.

Pain and Suffering

A dog looking at owners hand in Fresno, CA

Pain and suffering compensation addresses the physical pain and emotional trauma caused by the dog attack. This includes psychological impacts like fear, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To prove these damages, our Fresno dog bite accident attorneys rely on medical evaluations, psychological assessments, and personal accounts of the victim’s suffering to establish the extent of these damages. We articulate the severity of your pain and suffering in legal terms, using expert testimony and personal narratives to build a compelling case for appropriate compensation.

Loss of Income

Loss of income damages compensate for wages lost due to time off work for recovery. This includes current lost income and potential future income losses if the victim is unable to return to their previous employment.

We use employment records, salary details, and documentation of missed workdays to prove these damages and establish the financial impact. In cases of long-term impairment, we may consult financial experts to project future income losses. Our firm calculates the total financial impact of your absence from work, negotiating to ensure that lost income, both present and future, is fully compensated.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages can apply in cases where the dog owner’s negligence was especially egregious. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar negligence in the future.

Proving the need for punitive damages requires demonstrating a high degree of negligence or intentional misconduct by the dog owner. This can include evidence of the dog’s previous aggressive behavior or the owner’s failure to adhere to local animal control laws.

We present a strong case for punitive damages, highlighting the owner’s negligence and the need for a deterrent. This involves collecting evidence and constructing a legal argument that showcases the owner’s culpability in a way that justifies punitive damages.

At Wilshire Law Firm, our approach to dog bite cases in Fresno ensures that every aspect of your injury is addressed. We work to secure the maximum compensation possible, helping our clients recover from their injuries and move forward with their lives.

Where Can Fresno Dog Bite Incidents Occur?

In Fresno, dog bite incidents can occur in any location that residents and their pets frequent. Understanding these common areas can help all of us identify potential risks and take preventive measures.

Here’s an overview of such areas in Fresno:

Community Parks and Recreational Spaces: Places like Woodward Park, Roeding Park, and regional dog parks, where residents often bring their dogs for exercise and play, can be common sites for dog bites.
Residential Neighborhoods: Areas with high residential density, like the Tower District or the Fig Garden Loop, where many families own pets, might see a higher incidence of dog bites, especially on streets and sidewalks.
Hiking Trails and Open Spaces: Outdoor areas such as the San Joaquin River Parkway or trails in and around the Sierra National Forest, where dogs are taken for hikes, can also be potential locations for dog bite incidents.
Shopping and Commercial Districts: Busy commercial areas like River Park Shopping Center or the historic Fulton Street, where dogs might accompany their owners, could also be sites of dog bite incidents, especially in outdoor or pet-friendly establishments.
Suburban Areas and New Developments: Expanding residential areas in North Fresno and newer developments might see an increase in dog ownership and, consequently, a higher risk of dog-related incidents.

Wilshire Law Firm’s Fresno dog bite lawyers are skilled at handling cases that arise in these and other locations within the city. Our approach includes a detailed investigation of the incident, considering the specific location and circumstances, to build a strong case for our clients.

We leverage our local knowledge of Fresno to navigate these cases effectively, ensuring that victims receive the compensation and support they need.

Our Focus on Fresno Dog Bite Accidents

Given our firm’s 15 years of experience in personal injury law, we know that dog bites can happen in many different situations, including:

Unleashed or Uncontrolled Dogs

Incidents involving unleashed or uncontrolled dogs typically occur when owners fail to properly leash or control their pet in public areas. This can lead to unexpected attacks on pedestrians, joggers, or other individuals in parks, streets, or public spaces in Fresno.

Our legal team investigates the incident to establish the owner’s failure to control their pet. We gather evidence, including witness statements and surveillance footage, to prove negligence. Our approach involves holding the dog owner accountable for failing to adhere to leash laws and ensuring that victims receive compensation for their injuries and trauma.

Negligent Supervision

Negligent supervision cases arise when a dog owner does not adequately monitor or supervise their dog, especially around other people. These situations can occur in both private and public settings, leading to unexpected and preventable attacks.

We focus on establishing the owner’s lack of supervision through eyewitness accounts and expert testimony. Our attorneys argue the owner’s responsibility to prevent harm, emphasizing the foreseeability of the attack due to negligence in supervision.

Failure to Secure Dogs

These incidents happen when dogs escape from yards or homes due to inadequate security measures, such as faulty fences or open gates. Such situations can result in dogs attacking passersby or entering neighboring properties where they bite residents or visitors.

Our team examines the security measures the owner had in place and highlights their inadequacy. We use evidence of any previous escape incidents and expert assessments of the security measures to strengthen the case against the owner.

Types of Injuries from Dog Bites

Dog bites are potentially severe accidents.

Here are a few of the injuries that can result from dog bites and the ways our firm can help you recover compensation for them:

Minor Cuts and Bruises: These are less severe injuries but can still result in pain, discomfort, and medical expenses. Our firm ensures even minor injuries are accounted for in the compensation claim.
Severe Lacerations and Nerve Damage: Such injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, and can lead to long-term physical and emotional trauma. We collaborate with medical professionals to document these severe injuries comprehensively.
Disfigurement or Life-Threatening Injuries: In the most severe cases, victims may suffer disfiguring injuries or life-threatening trauma. Our firm takes a compassionate yet aggressive approach to secure compensation that covers medical costs, reconstructive surgeries, long-term care, and pain and suffering.

In each of these scenarios, Wilshire Law Firm’s Fresno dog bite lawyers ensure that every aspect of the case is thoroughly explored and presented. We aim to secure maximum compensation for our clients, helping them recover from their injuries and move forward after a traumatic dog bite incident.

Fighting the Insurance Company After a Fresno Dog Bite Accident

Dealing with insurance companies in dog bite cases can be a frustrating and time-consuming aspect of your personal injury claim. At Wilshire Law Firm, our attorneys have years of experience and are well-versed in the tactics used by insurers to minimize their liability. Our Fresno dog bite attorneys are skilled in countering these strategies to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Common Insurance Company Tactics

Here are a few of the most common tactics the insurance company might use to minimize their payout to you:

Questioning Liability: Insurance companies often attempt to shift blame onto the victim, arguing provocation or trespassing, to dispute the dog owner’s liability.
Downplaying Injuries: Insurers frequently try to minimize the severity of injuries, suggesting they are less serious or not directly related to the dog attack.
Offering Quick, Lowball Settlements: To avoid a larger payout, insurance companies may offer a quick settlement that is far below the actual value of your claim.
Delaying the Claims Process: In using delaying tactics, insurers aim to prolong the process, hoping you will accept a lower settlement due to financial pressure.
Disputing Medical Costs: Insurance companies may challenge the necessity or cost of medical treatments related to the dog bite.

Wilshire Law Firm’s Approach to Negotiations

Our approach to these negotiations with the insurance companies includes gathering comprehensive evidence, including witness statements, medical reports, and expert testimony, to establish the dog owner’s liability unequivocally. Our team works closely with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life, ensuring that the severity is accurately represented.

Then, we calculate the true value of your claim, considering medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and potential long-term effects. This allows us to counter lowball offers effectively and negotiate for a fair settlement.

We apply continuous pressure on the insurance companies to move the claims process forward, preventing unnecessary delays. By doing so and presenting detailed medical documentation and expert opinions, we challenge any disputes over medical costs, ensuring that all treatment-related expenses are covered.

Our negotiation strategy comes from our deep understanding of California’s dog bite laws and a commitment to our clients’ rights. If negotiations with the insurance company do not yield a fair settlement, we are prepared to take the case to court to advocate for your best interests.

At Wilshire Law Firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a dog bite can take on victims and their families.

Our experienced attorneys in Fresno are dedicated to resolving insurance claims in dog bite cases, ensuring that our clients receive fair and adequate compensation to aid in their recovery and move forward from the incident.

Dog & Animal Bite FAQs

Below, our Fresno dog bite accident lawyers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions we get about dog bite cases.

How Bad Does a Dog Bite Have to Be to Have a Case?

Dog bites can range from minor to severe. Even if the bite is minor, you may still have a case if it caused damage or injury. Consulting with our Fresno dog bite accident lawyers can help you understand if your situation constitutes a substantial personal injury claim.

How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Case in California?

In California, you have two years from the date of the dog bite to file a lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations for personal injury cases.
However, exceptions apply to this rule, such as:
– If the victim was a minor at the time of the dog bite, the statute of limitations is delayed until they turn 18. This means that minors might have until their 20th birthday to file a lawsuit.
– If the dog owner is a government employee or agency, the statute of limitations may be shorter or longer depending on the circumstances. For example, if the dog was used by a police officer or a military personnel, the victim may have to file a claim within six months of the injury.
– If the dog owner leaves the state or conceals their identity, the statute of limitations may be extended for the period of their absence or concealment.

When Are Dog Bites Most Likely to Occur?

Dog bites often occur in response to stressful or threatening situations for the dog. They may bite if they feel scared, are disturbed while eating or taking care of puppies, or are encouraged to play aggressively. Understanding dog behavior can help in preventing bites.

What Kind of Dog Is Most Likely to Bite?

Statistically, certain breeds, like pit bulls and mixed breeds, are more likely to bite and cause serious injury. However, any dog can bite under certain circumstances.

Can I Get Rabies From a Dog Bite?

Yes, an infected dog can transmit rabies. Rabies is a serious, often fatal, disease, and a bite from a rabid dog requires immediate medical attention.
Remember, each dog bite case is unique. A knowledgeable attorney at Wilshire Law Firm can provide you with specific guidance tailored to your situation.

What to Do After a Fresno Dog Bite Incident

If you or someone you know has been bitten by a dog in Fresno, it is time to seek legal guidance. Our Fresno personal injury attorneys can help you start the legal process, from filing a claim to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, representing your interests in court. We are committed to ensuring that our clients receive the necessary medical care and legal representation they deserve.

Our experience with California dog bite cases, combined with our commitment to our clients, ensures that every victim receives the justice and compensation they need to recover and move forward. If you have been affected by a dog bite, contact us online for a free consultation or call (559) 396-3826 to discuss your case.