Dog attacks can happen unexpectedly and often leave victims facing serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Because dogs are not accountable for their own actions, Fresno dog bite lawyers can hold their owners responsible.
It is up to dog owners to train and control their dogs in public settings in order to keep them from injuring others. In many cases, California law allows injured victims to pursue compensation from the dog’s owner or another responsible party.
The Fresno personal injury lawyers at Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, founded in 2010, know what it takes to ensure you are compensated for every physical and financial imposition you’ve experienced from the bite. Contact our personal injury firm today for a free consultation.
Common Injuries in Dog Bite Accidents
Dog attacks can cause far more than minor cuts and bruises. Depending on the size of the dog, the force of the attack, and the location of the bite, victims may suffer serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and long-term complications that require extensive medical treatment.
Common injuries include:
- Puncture wounds: A dog’s teeth can create deep puncture wounds that may damage underlying tissue and increase the risk of infection if not promptly treated.
- Lacerations and tearing injuries: Dog bites can cause severe cuts, torn skin, muscle damage, and even nerve injuries. Some victims require stitches, skin grafts, or reconstructive surgery.
- Infections: Bacteria found in a dog’s mouth can lead to serious infections and medical complications, including cellulitis, rabies, and tetanus if appropriate treatment is not received.
- Fractures and broken bones: Large dogs can exert enough force to fracture bones, particularly in the hands, arms, and legs. Children may be especially vulnerable to facial and skull fractures.
- Nerve damage: Deep bite wounds can damage nerves, resulting in numbness, loss of sensation, weakness, or long-term mobility limitations.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Serious dog bites, especially those involving the face, neck, or arms, can leave permanent scars and disfigurement that may require cosmetic or reconstructive procedures.
- Emotional and psychological trauma: Many victims experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep disturbances, and a lasting fear of dogs following an attack.
Because dog bite injuries can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences, it is important to seek medical attention and get medical care as soon as possible, and understand your legal options for pursuing compensation by calling a personal injury lawyer.
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Understanding California Dog Bite Law
In California, dog bite laws are primarily governed by Section 3342 of the California Civil Code, commonly known as the “dog bite statute.”
California follows a strict liability rule when it comes to dog bites. Strict liability means that dog owners are held responsible for damages caused by their dog biting someone, regardless of whether the owner was negligent or the dog had previously shown aggression.
Under the California dog-bite statute, the owner of a dog is “strictly liable” for damages suffered by someone who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place. A person who is injured by a dog in California can also pursue a negligence claim against the dog owner.
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When is a Dog Owner Not Liable After an Animal Attack?
The owner may not be held liable for a dog bite in the following scenarios:
- A military or police dog defends itself from a provoking or harassing individual
- A military or police dog attacks during the apprehension of a suspected criminal
- A military or police dog bites during the investigation of a crime or a possible crime
- A military or police dog bites in the execution of a search or arrest warrant
- A military or police dog bites in the defense of a peace officer or of another person
- The individual bitten has not been given permission to be on the private property
There is a statute of limitations for filing an animal attack lawsuit for a dog bite injury in California. Typically, this is within two years of the date of the injury, so don’t wait to call our personal injury law firm now.
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What Damages Are Recoverable in a Fresno Dog Bite Case?
The damages that you can recover by filing a personal injury lawsuit from your dog bite case are intended to compensate you for the injuries and other economic and non-economic losses you suffered.
The cost of medical bills can be extensive, especially if the animal attack injury turns into an infection. Additionally, time missed at work after the incident can result in a loss of wages.
Dog bite cases in California can lead to two different types of damages. Compensatory damages are those that compensate the impacted person for the following:
- Monetary losses such as lost wages, medical expenses, etc.
- Pain
- Suffering
- Emotional distress
Compensatory damages are separated into two different types:
- Special damages or economic damages: Recovery for the amount that has been expended by the victim as a result of the accident
- General damages or non–economic damages: Any losses that are not directly related to money, such as mental anguish and suffering
Punitive damages, on the other hand, are designed to act as a punishment to the defendant in addition to recourse for the victim of the dog bite.
Punitive damages may be available in rare cases involving particularly egregious conduct, such as intentionally encouraging an attack or acting with conscious disregard for the safety of others. Call our Fresno dog bite lawyers 24/7 to learn more.
What You May Expect From a Dog Bite Settlement in California
If there was no provocation leading to the dog bite, it is not even necessary to prove negligence on the part of the owner; it is more or less implied.
Whether the dog was not on a leash, has a history of violence, or was improperly contained does not matter. You may expect to recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emergency transport and medical expenses
- Loss of wages, present and future
- Punitive damages for reckless endangerment
If you’ve been injured by a dog in Fresno, a personal injury attorney at Fowler | Helsel | Vogt will recommend that you act as quickly as possible to take legal action.
Get a Free Consultation With a Fresno Dog Bite Attorney
A dog bite can leave you facing painful injuries, costly medical treatment, emotional trauma, and uncertainty about what comes next. If you or a loved one has been injured in an animal attack, the experienced legal team at Fowler | Helsel | Vogt is here to help you.
With more than 40 years of combined legal experience, our Fresno dog bite lawyers have helped injury victims throughout California face challenging personal injury claims and hold negligent parties accountable.
Contact Fowler | Helsel | Vogt today to schedule a free consultation with a Fresno dog bite attorney. To learn more about personal injury law, dog bite claims, and other legal topics, be sure to visit our blog for additional information about California law.
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