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Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Fresno, CA

Dog bite incidents are on the rise across Fresno, especially in residential neighborhoods and public areas like Woodward Park, Roeding Park, and local walking trails. Whether the attack happened at a friend’s home or during a stroll through your community, the consequences can be severe. Even a single dog bite can cause deep physical wounds, nerve damage, infection, and lasting emotional trauma—particularly in children.

Unfortunately, many victims don’t realize that under California law, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries—even if the dog had never shown signs of aggression before. Medical bills, time off work, counseling, and scarring can all be accounted for in a properly handled claim.

At Tim D. Wright Law, we’re here to help you understand your legal rights, hold negligent dog owners accountable, and fight for the full recovery you deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite in Fresno, don’t wait to take action.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Fresno

Get Immediate Medical Attention

Even if the wound looks small, dog bites can lead to serious infections or hidden tissue damage. Go to the emergency room or urgent care as soon as possible. Proper treatment not only protects your health—it also creates important medical documentation for your injury claim.

Identify the Dog and Its Owner

Try to get:

  • The dog owner’s name and contact information
  • Details about the dog’s breed, vaccination status, and history
  • Any witness information if the dog ran off or wasn’t restrained

This information will help determine liability and whether the dog had prior aggression reports.

Report the Bite to Fresno County Animal Services

All dog bites should be reported to:
Fresno County Department of Public Health – Animal Control Services 📞 Phone: (559) 600-7387

Reporting the incident creates an official record, which may uncover prior complaints or dangerous behavior associated with the dog.

Take Photos of Injuries and the Scene

Use your phone to document:

  • The bite wound before and after treatment
  • Torn or bloodied clothing
  • The area where the attack occurred
  • The dog (if safe to do so)

Clear, timestamped photos are powerful evidence in dog bite claims.

Gather Witness Statements

If anyone saw the attack, ask for their name and contact info. Witnesses can help verify how the incident occurred—especially if the dog owner disputes the facts.

Avoid Speaking With Insurance Companies

Dog owners’ insurers may contact you with quick settlement offers or ask for a recorded statement. Do not agree to anything or sign paperwork without speaking to an attorney—you could unknowingly limit your ability to recover full compensation.

Damages You May Be Entitled To

A dog bite injury can disrupt your life in ways that go well beyond the initial trauma. Victims in Fresno often face medical bills, missed work, permanent scarring, and long-term psychological effects. At Tim D. Wright Law, we help ensure that every dollar of your loss is accounted for—so you can focus on healing while we focus on securing the compensation you deserve.

Medical Bills (Current and Future)

You may recover the full cost of medical care related to your injury, including:

  • Emergency room visits
  • Hospital stays and surgeries
  • Prescription medications
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Future procedures (e.g., scar revision or corrective surgery)

Lost Wages or Diminished Earning Capacity

If your injuries caused you to miss work or reduced your ability to return to your previous job, you may be entitled to:

  • Lost income during your recovery
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Missed career opportunities

Pain and Suffering

Not all damages are physical or financial. California law also allows recovery for:

  • Physical pain
  • Emotional distress
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Disfigurement and Scarring

Permanent scars—especially on the face, hands, or legs—can affect your self-confidence, social life, and emotional well-being. Disfigurement is often considered a separate category of damages due to its lasting impact.

Psychological Counseling Costs

Many victims, especially children, require therapy or mental health treatment after a dog bite. You may recover the cost of:

  • Trauma counseling
  • Psychiatric care
  • Ongoing support for anxiety or PTSD

Punitive Damages (in Extreme Cases)

If the dog owner acted with gross negligence or reckless disregard—such as ignoring prior attack warnings or allowing a dangerous dog to roam freely—you may be eligible for punitive damages. These are designed to punish and deter outrageous behavior.

Challenges Dog Bite Victims Face Without Legal Help

Dog bite victims in Fresno often find themselves facing an uphill battle when they try to handle their claim without experienced legal representation. While California law supports victim rights, insurance companies and property owners often use delay tactics, denial strategies, or lowball offers to limit what they have to pay. Here are some of the most common challenges we help our clients overcome:

Insurance Companies Minimizing Injury Severity

Insurers are quick to downplay injuries—especially when a victim doesn't appear to be seriously hurt at first glance. They may argue that:

  • Your injuries were minor
  • You didn’t seek treatment quickly enough
  • You're exaggerating your pain or long-term effects

Without a lawyer, victims often accept settlements that don’t come close to covering their true costs.

Disputes Over Liability

Liability may seem obvious to you—but insurance companies or dog owners may argue otherwise. This is particularly common when:

  • The dog belongs to a friend or family member
  • The bite happened on rental property and there’s uncertainty about landlord responsibility
  • There's no clear documentation of the bite itself

An attorney can investigate thoroughly, uncover evidence, and push back on these defense tactics.

Delayed Symptoms or Infections Complicating Claims

Not all injuries show up immediately. Infections, nerve damage, and psychological trauma can take days or even weeks to emerge. Without legal guidance, victims may:

  • Settle too early
  • Miss the chance to include future medical needs in their claim
  • Struggle to reopen a closed case

A dog bite lawyer ensures all future care and complications are factored in from the beginning.

Emotional Injuries Not Being Properly Documented or Valued

Pain and suffering, PTSD, anxiety, and trauma—especially in children—are often overlooked or undervalued in dog bite claims. These emotional injuries are very real, and you deserve to be compensated for them. But without legal support, they are rarely included or taken seriously by insurers.

How Tim D. Wright Law Helps Fresno Dog Bite Victims

At Tim D. Wright Law, we understand that a dog bite isn’t just a medical emergency—it’s a legal and financial crisis too. Whether the dog belonged to a neighbor, a stranger, or someone you know, you deserve strong, compassionate legal representation. We fight for victims throughout Fresno to recover the compensation they need and deserve.

Thorough Investigation of the Incident and Dog’s History

We dig deep into the facts surrounding your case. That includes:

  • Locating and interviewing witnesses
  • Reviewing animal control and prior complaint records
  • Determining if the dog had a history of aggression

This evidence is key to proving liability and building a strong claim.

Gathering Medical Records and Expert Opinions

We work with your medical providers and, when needed, consult independent medical experts to:

  • Document the full extent of your injuries
  • Identify future care needs or permanent limitations
  • Support your claim for pain, suffering, and disfigurement

Handling All Communications with Insurance Carriers

You won’t need to worry about answering calls from aggressive insurance adjusters. We:

  • Handle all correspondence and negotiations
  • Prevent insurers from pressuring you into an unfair settlement
  • Make sure your rights are protected at every stage

Fighting for Maximum Compensation—No Matter Who Owns the Dog

Whether the dog belongs to a stranger or someone close to you, we pursue every responsible party with professionalism and discretion. Our goal is to recover compensation from the insurance company—not the individual personally, in many cases.

No Upfront Fees – We Don’t Get Paid Unless You Win

We believe everyone deserves access to legal support. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis:

  • No upfront costs
  • No hourly fees
  • No payment at all unless we win your case

Free Consultation – Injured by a Dog in Fresno? Get the Compensation You Deserve.

A dog bite can leave lasting physical and emotional scars—but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Tim D. Wright Law, we fight to hold negligent dog owners accountable and ensure you receive the compensation needed to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Injured by a dog in Fresno? Get the compensation you deserve.

We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Whether you’re filing a claim for yourself or your child, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact Tim D. Wright Law Today

📞 Phone: (323) 379-9995
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com

📍 Office Address:
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506

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Stay informed, get legal tips, and see how we support injured clients across California:

I am very satisfied and thankful with Attorney Tim Wright and his whole team for taking care and handling my fathers personal injuries case. Thank you all very much your staff is amazing, very helpful.
Abraham Ortega
The Law Offices of Tim D. Wright were awesome. They were professional, they kept an open communication with me through out the process.  Big shout out to Sergio and Mercedes for being very helpful with my settlement.
Frank Medina

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