Fresno Dog Bite Lawyers on Your Side

1. Get medical treatment immediately after the incident. Dog bites can lead to infection, nerve damage, or tetanus.
   
2. Report the incident to Fresno County Animal Control or your local police department so there’s an official record.
   
3. Photograph wounds, torn clothing, and the scene of the attack. Gather witness names and the dog owner’s contact/insurance details.
   
4. Avoid making any social media posts or recorded statements to the insurer until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
5. Contact a Fresno dog bite lawyer to discuss your rights and next steps.

In California, dog owners are generally strictly liable when their dog bites someone who is in a public place or lawfully on private property (including the owner’s property). Depending on the facts, other parties may also be responsible, such as:

• A caretaker, dog walker, or person in control of the dog at the time of the bite.
  
• A landlord or property manager who knew (or reasonably should have known) about a dangerous dog on the premises and failed to act.
  
• A business owner—if the bite happened on commercial property due to lax safety practices.

A dog bite attorney at Grossman Law will identify every potential source of recovery, including homeowners, renters, or commercial insurance policies.

Every case is different, but recoverable damages can often include expenses like:

• Emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, antibiotics, and future scar-revision treatment
  
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  
• Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and PTSD counseling
  
• Costs related to assistive care, home modifications, or long-term therapy
  
• Out-of-pocket expenses like transportation, prescriptions, and wound care supplies

Where the at-fault party’s conduct is especially reckless (e.g., knowingly letting a dangerous dog roam), punitive damages may be available.

California’s strict-liability law covers dog bites, but negligence claims can help boost your case—especially when injuries stem from a knock-down or chase rather than a bite. Your dog bite lawyer may also use the following:

• Violation of local leash or restraint laws
  
• Prior complaints or documented aggressive behavior
  
• Failure to warn guests or secure the dog around children or delivery workers
  
• Poor fencing, broken gates, or ignored “escape artist” behavior
  
• Lax supervision by a sitter, walker, or groomer

California’s strict-liability statute is pretty broad, but there are some defenses. Owners may contest liability if the injured person was trespassing, “provoking” the dog, or performing certain professional duties involving inherent risk (though many workers, like postal carriers and delivery drivers, are still protected). 

Strict liability usually still applies if you were lawfully on the property (i.e., a guest, tenant, contractor, or delivery driver). Plus, “Beware of Dog” signs don’t just automatically excuse unsafe handling or failure to restrain an aggressive animal. If property hazards like a broken latch or an unfenced yard contributed to the attack, premises liability may also apply, which can create an additional path to compensation.

This is more common than you may think. However, not having insurance doesn’t mean you have no case. Your legal options may include:

• Pursuing the owner’s personal assets or negotiating structured payments
  
• Making a claim under a renters’ policy, umbrella policy, or a relative’s homeowner coverage if the incident is covered
  
• Third-party claims against a landlord, property manager, or commercial policy when the bite happened at a business or rental property