Protecting Victims of Serious Dog Attacks in California
A dog attack can leave more than just physical wounds. In seconds, you may be dealing with emergency medical care, permanent scars, emotional trauma, and unexpected expenses. If you were bitten in Fresno, California law gives you important legal protections.
At DJC Law, our Fresno dog bite lawyers help adults and children who have been injured by dogs. We can help you seek compensation from the dog owner and, in some cases, other responsible parties. Insurance companies may try to pay as little as possible or blame the victim. We work to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Call one of our dog bite attorneys at (512) 888-9999 today for a free consultation.
California Is Not a “One Bite” State
Some states give dog owners more protection if their dog has never bitten anyone before. California does not follow that rule.
Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are generally responsible for bite injuries when:
- The dog bit you
- You were lawfully on public or private property
- The bite caused an injury
This means you usually do not have to show that the owner knew the dog was dangerous before the attack.
If you were legally on the property when the bite happened, the owner’s lack of knowledge about the dog’s past behavior may not protect them from liability under California’s dog-bite law.
Our Fresno dog bite attorneys can review what happened and explain how the law may apply to your case.
When Someone Other Than the Dog Owner May Be Responsible
The dog owner is not always the only person who may be responsible.
Depending on what happened, other parties could include:
- A landlord who knew about a dangerous dog
- A property owner who failed to warn people about a known dangerous animal
- A business owner who allowed an unsafe situation to continue
- A property manager who ignored complaints about a dog
These cases may involve premises liability laws.
For example, suppose several people complained to a landlord about an aggressive dog. If the landlord knew about the problem but did nothing to address it, that could become an important part of the case.
Our Fresno dog bite lawyer can look at the entire situation to determine whether other people or businesses may share responsibility.
When Insurance Companies Try to Protect the Dog Owner
Many dog bite claims are handled through a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. This means the insurance company may be the one paying the claim.
Insurance adjusters may try to:
- Say you caused or provoked the attack
- Question how badly you were injured
- Downplay your medical treatment
- Offer a quick settlement
- Avoid paying for future treatment
A quick settlement may sound appealing when you are dealing with medical bills and other expenses. However, you may not yet know how serious your injuries will be or how much treatment you will need.
A dog bite attorney can review an insurance offer and help you understand whether it fairly covers your losses.
A dog bite lawyer can also gather medical records, photographs, witness accounts, and other evidence to show how the attack affected you.
Dog Attacks in Apartments, Rentals, and Short-Term Properties
Dog attacks can happen in many types of homes and buildings. Some occur in apartment complexes, rental houses, or short-term vacation properties.
In these situations, the dog owner may not be the only person who needs to be investigated.
A landlord or property manager may have known that a dog was dangerous. They may also have received complaints about the animal or failed to enforce rules about pets.
For example, imagine that tenants have repeatedly complained about a dog that has tried to attack people. If the property manager ignores those complaints and someone is later injured, the history of those complaints could be important evidence.
A knowledgeable dog bite lawyer can investigate property records, complaints, lease rules, and other information to see whether someone besides the dog owner may be responsible.
Call one of our dog bite attorneys at (512) 888-9999 for a free consultation.
When Children Are Attacked by Dogs
Dog attacks involving children can be especially serious. Because children are smaller than adults, they may suffer bites to the face, head, and neck.
These injuries can lead to:
- Permanent scarring
- Nerve damage
- Reconstructive surgery
- Broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Long-term emotional trauma
Parents should seek medical attention after a dog attack, even if the injuries do not appear severe at first. Prompt treatment can help prevent complications and create records of the child’s injuries and medical expenses.
The effects may continue long after the wounds have healed. A child may become afraid of dogs, have nightmares, or feel anxious about going outside or visiting other people’s homes. Some children may need counseling after an attack.
A caring dog bite attorney understands that a child’s case involves more than the initial medical bills. The long-term effects also need to be considered.
A Fresno dog bite attorney at DJC Law can help your family seek compensation for medical treatment, counseling, scarring, and other losses caused by the attack.
Serious Injuries From Dog Attacks
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, even when the attack lasts only a few seconds.
Victims may suffer:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Severe cuts
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Infections
- Facial injuries
- Permanent scars
- Eye injuries
- Amputations in extreme cases
Children can be especially vulnerable because of their size.
A dog attack can also cause emotional injuries. Victims may develop anxiety, PTSD, or a lasting fear of dogs.
These effects should not be ignored when determining the full impact of an attack.
Get Medical Care and Document the Attack
Getting medical care after a dog bite is important, even if the wound does not look serious.
Dog bites can become infected. They can also cause damage to nerves, muscles, or other tissue that may not be obvious at first.
Getting treatment can help:
- Reduce the risk of infection
- Find injuries that may not be immediately visible
- Create medical records showing what happened
- Document the treatment you need
Keep copies of your medical records, bills, prescriptions, and follow-up instructions. Take photographs of your injuries as they heal.
If possible, also keep information about the dog and its owner. Witnesses, photographs, animal control records, and other evidence may be helpful.
A dog bite lawyer can help gather and preserve evidence while you focus on recovering.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital bills
- Surgery
- Reconstructive or plastic surgery
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced ability to earn income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
Serious injuries may require treatment long after the initial attack. Your claim should take those future needs into account.
In certain cases involving extreme misconduct, punitive damages may also be available.
What If the Dog Was Loose?
Dog attacks can also happen when a dog escapes from a yard, runs loose through a neighborhood, or gets away from its owner.
These cases can raise additional questions about how the dog escaped and whether the owner had taken reasonable steps to control it.
For example, evidence may show that a gate was left open, a fence was broken, or the owner knew the dog regularly escaped.
A Fresno dog bite lawyer can investigate these details and determine what role they may play in your case.
What If the Dog Knocked You Down Instead of Biting You?
Not every serious dog attack involves a bite.
A large or aggressive dog may knock someone to the ground while chasing them or jumping on them. A person could suffer a broken hip, head injury, or other serious injury while trying to get away from a dog.
These cases may involve different legal questions than a traditional dog-bite claim.
The facts matter. A dog bite attorney can review how the injury happened and determine whether you may have a personal injury claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
California generally gives you two years from the date of an injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some situations may have different deadlines.
Waiting too long can make it harder to collect evidence and may cause you to lose your right to pursue a claim.
If you or your child was injured, it is a good idea to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Compassionate, Veteran-Led Legal Support
At DJC Law, we understand how upsetting a dog attack can be. You may be dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, fear, and uncertainty about what comes next.
As a veteran-led law firm, we believe in treating our clients with honesty, respect, and care.
We can help you:
- Understand your legal options
- Investigate the attack
- Gather important evidence
- Deal with insurance companies
- Calculate your losses
- Pursue a fair settlement
- Take your case to court when necessary
You focus on healing. We will focus on your case.
Speak With a Fresno Dog Bite Attorney Today
A dog attack can affect your health, your finances, and your everyday life. You should not have to deal with the insurance company or the dog owner’s legal team by yourself.
DJC Law is ready to help injured people and families in Fresno seek the compensation they deserve.
Call (512) 888-9999 today for a free consultation with a Fresno dog bite attorney. There are no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
