Dog Bites in Fresno, CA

Dog Bite/Animal Attack Lawyer

Dogs bite approximately 5 million people a year in the U.S. Practically half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claims. Approximately 800,000 Americans every year seek medical attention for injuries from dog bites, and 386,000 require emergency room treatment. Around 16 people die each year after being attacked by a dog. The CDC's numbers do not consider the psychological trauma of experiencing an animal attack.

It is a simple fact of life that dogs bite. This includes any dog of any breed. A dog bite can be anything from a nip to a traumatic attack that leaves a serious injury. A severe injury suffered in a dog attack is cause to hold the dog's owner accountable, and for the dog attack victim to seek reimbursement for all medical expenses, pain and suffering and other harm caused by the bite.

If you have sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that occurred in the Fresno area or anywhere else in California, the personal injury lawyers at Tim D. Wright, want to help you.

Serious Injuries from Dog Bites

A serious bite is not a playful nip or even a small injury that bruises someone who came into contact with a dog at the wrong time. A serious dog attack is one that includes biting and scratching that results in significant traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can also cause considerable emotional and psychological injury.

According to dog bite statistics from the CDC, roughly 885,000 dog bite victims every year-- or 20 percent of all of those who are bitten by dogs-- require medical attention for their injuries.

The most common victims are:

• Children ages 5-9
• Elderly people
• Mail letter carriers

Dogs most often bite a person's arm, hand, leg, foot, head or neck, according to the CDC. Common injuries in dog attacks consist of:

• Cuts, bruises and scratches
• Puncture wounds
• Tearing (avulsion)
• Dislocations
• Bone fractures
• Amputations
• Crushing (head/ skull injuries)

DogsBite.org, a nonprofit, public education website concerning dangerous dog breeds, reports that serious dog attacks can cause severe injuries that can require $250,000 to $1 million in specialized medical care.

The CDC states that roughly 27,000 dog bite victims each year undergo reconstructive surgery. This may consist of skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment. A victim might need a number of procedures over many years.

Seeking Compensation After a Dog Bite

Dog bite victims may seek compensation to cover their:

• Past and future medical costs
• Lost income and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological distress
• Other relevant losses

Claims can be made against the dog owner and, possibly, a third party if that party's negligence caused the injury.

Individuals that have been seriously wounded by an attacking dog are entitled to compensation and should not hesitate to seek it through civil legal action and contact a dog bite lawyer-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The payment recuperated in a dog bite claim almost always comes from the dog owner's insurance, such as homeowners' insurance or business liability insurance.

The Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance report that dog bites made up more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2013 and resulted in more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average settlement for dog attack claims was $27,862.

An experienced attorney can examine your dog attack case to determine whether the dog's owner is responsible and calculate the compensation you may be due for your injuries.

Several cases can be resolved through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance provider. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would prepare to seek appropriate compensation for you in court.

Taking Action After an Attack

You can act to help yourself, a loved one or a friend that has been wounded by a dog bite. Below are some steps you should attempt to follow:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any type of dog bite should be seen by a medical professional.
• Immediately report the incident to the police and secure a copy of the police accident report.
• Get the name and contact information of the dog owner if possible.
• Obtain the name and contact information of any individuals that observed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries as well as the location of the incident.
• Photograph any kind of visible injuries you have endured as a result of the incident with the animal.
• Keep any clothing that may have been damaged by the animal.
• Keep and, if possible, photograph any property damaged by the animal.
• Do not interact with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance provider. If you accept any type of reimbursement, you might forgo your right to sue for additional damages.

Reach Out to Our Dog Bite Lawyers

If you or a loved one has sustained a dog bite injury or other animal attack that caused severe injury or scarring, you have rights that deserve to be protected. Get in touch with a Fresno dog attack lawyer at Tim D. Wright, right away and schedule a complimentary consultation.

We will supply a team of legal professionals, medical experts and investigators who are committed to your case. We can help you make informed decisions regarding your legal options. Our dog attack lawyers will strive to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.