Dog bites are common across California, including Fresno. In 2022 alone, the state saw 48,596 ER visits for dog bites, or about 125 visits per 100,000 residents.
According to the Department of Health Care Access and Information, this represents a 70% increase in the rate of visits from 2005. Dog bites often leave victims facing not only physical scars but also mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand the devastating impact a dog bite can have on your life. Our experienced Fresno dog bite lawyers fight tirelessly to hold negligent dog owners accountable, ensuring you receive the financial support you need to move forward. And with our No Fee Guarantee®, if you don’t win, you pay nothing.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Understanding Dog Bites
Dog bites can vary significantly in severity, ranging from minor puncture wounds to life-altering injuries. Understanding the different types of dog bites and potential complications is crucial for seeking proper medical care and legal recourse.
Common dog bite complications include:
- Puncture Wounds: These can be deep wounds caused by a dog’s teeth piercing the skin. Even when they appear minor, they carry a high risk of infection.
- Infections: Dog bites can introduce bacteria and viruses into the skin, tissue, and bloodstream, leading to infections such as staphylococcus or rabies. Recognizing the signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, is essential for stopping the infection before it worsens or becomes life-threatening.
- Lacerations: These are jagged tears in the skin caused by the dog’s teeth. They often result in significant bleeding and can leave noticeable scars.
- Avulsions: This type of injury involves the tearing away of skin and underlying tissue. Avulsions are particularly severe and may require reconstructive surgery.
- Crushing Injuries: When a dog’s powerful jaws clamp down hard, it can cause crushing injuries that damage bones, muscles, and nerves.
If you experience any of the above symptoms after a dog bite, seek medical attention immediately to protect your health and document your injuries.
Dog Bite Laws in California
California operates under a strict liability statute for dog bites, which means dog owners are held responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of whether they had prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies or if it had bitten someone before. This is in contrast to the “one-bite rule” in some other states, where owners are only liable if they knew or should have known about their dog’s propensity to bite.
However, there are certain defenses that dog owners can raise in dog bite cases. These defenses include:
- Trespassing: If the victim was trespassing on private property at the time of the bite, the owner’s liability might be reduced or eliminated.
- Provocation: If the victim provoked the dog, such as by teasing or abusing it, the owner may argue that they are not fully responsible for the resulting injuries.
Dealing with these defenses can be complex and requires a thorough understanding of the law. For those who have been bitten by a dog, our Fresno injury lawyers can help you navigate these legal complexities and build a strong case to establish liability.
Compensation for Dog Bites in Fresno
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Fresno, you may be entitled to compensation for various damages, both economic and non-economic. Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value, while non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses.
- Medical Expenses: This includes costs for emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and any other medical treatment related to the dog bite.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can seek compensation for the income you’ve lost during your recovery.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries are severe and result in long-term effects, you may be able to recover damages for your diminished ability to earn income in the future.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain and discomfort caused by the dog bite and its aftermath.
- Emotional Distress: Dog bite victims often experience significant emotional trauma, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. You can seek compensation for these psychological injuries as well.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: If the dog bite leaves permanent scars or disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
The amount of compensation you can receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, their impact on your life, and the specific circumstances of your case. An experienced Fresno dog bite injury attorney can help you assess the full extent of your damages and fight for maximum compensation.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Fresno
Here’s what you should do after a dog bite to protect your health and legal rights:
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even if the bite seems minor, it’s essential to get checked by a medical professional to prevent infection and address any potential complications.
- Identify the Owner: If possible, get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner.
- Report the Incident: Report the dog bite to Fresno County. They can investigate the incident further and check the dog’s vaccinations.
- Document the Scene: If it’s safe and possible to do so, take photos of the scene of the attack, the dog, and your injuries.
- Gather Witness Information: If anyone witnessed the attack, get their names and contact information. Their statements might be valuable evidence in your case.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep any clothing or other items that were damaged during the attack. These can serve as additional evidence of the incident.
- Consult With a Fresno Dog Bite lawyer: An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Reach Out to Our Fresno Dog Bite Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite incident in Fresno, contact Berg Injury Lawyers. Our compassionate and experienced attorneys are ready to fight for your rights and help you obtain the compensation you need to move forward.
Schedule your free consultation now.
