Fresno Dog Bite Attorneys

It is common and perfectly rational to associate dog bites with large, aggressive breeds like pit bulls and German shepherds, but any dog can have vicious tendencies, and even a relatively small bite can cause serious infection and permanent scarring. If you are planning to take legal action against the owner of a dog or another party after being attacked, contact our Fresno dog bite attorneys to schedule a free consultation. We will assess any evidence you have gathered, listen to your story, and ask questions to discern how best to approach the proceedings. If you hire us for representation, our lawyers will make sure your claim accounts for all monetary damages you may be owed, which might include non-economic damages like pain and suffering. For a free case assessment, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

What Is “Strict Liability?”

If you’ve done any research on dog bite law in California, you may have come across the term “strict liability.” This refers to a form of tort liability that can be imposed even if the defendant was neither negligent nor acting with intent to harm. Strict liability applies to many dog bite cases. Specifically, if you are bringing the claim against the dog owner, it is unlikely that you will have to prove negligence in order to establish liability. Negligence refers to the breach of a duty of care, and it is the basis on which most personal injury claims are brought. But even if the dog owner was not negligent and did not order the dog to attack you, it may still be possible to recover monetary damages. There are, however, certain scenarios when it is necessary to prove negligence in order to impose liability in a dog bite claim. This might be the case, for example, if you bring the claim against a party other than the dog’s owner, who was in control of the dog at the time of the attack, such as a veterinarian or a dog cleaning or walking service. Regardless of whether your claim is brought on the basis of strict liability or negligence, you will not be able to obtain a settlement unless you have evidence to prove liability. If you bring the claim on the basis of negligence, you will have to prove how the defendant breached a duty of care, and how this breach was a proximate cause of the attack and the resulting damages. If you intend to bring the claim against the owner of the dog on the basis of strict liability, you will have to prove that the dog was owned by the defendant, that you were lawfully on private or public property at the time of the bite, that you were actually bitten, and that the dog caused the injury. Depending on the circumstances, valuable evidence of liability may include:

• Surveillance footage of the attack;
• The police report;
• Eyewitness deposition;
• Photos of bite marks;
• Medical records; and
• Veterinary records and other documentation to identify the animal’s owner.

Factors That Set Our Fresno Dog Bite Attorneys Apart from the Rest

Just because a law firm invests in a compelling ad campaign doesn’t mean their attorneys have the knowledge, competence, or experience to offer exceptional representation. In fact, even if a lawyer has a track record of success in certain kinds of personal injury cases—such as car accidents, premises liability, and product liability—that doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she has successfully handled dog bite cases. The attorneys at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers have won substantial payouts for clients in dog bite claims. With a mastered knowledge of the relevant statutes and case law, our lawyers know how to anticipate, avoid, and counter common disputes, and they understand how to prevent unnecessary delays. Perhaps most important, our attorneys have extensive trial experience, which makes insurance companies think twice before taking us to court. Many law firms try to max out their caseload in order to generate more profits, but we intentionally limit our caseload so we can devote sufficient resources to every case we handle. We won’t accept a low settlement just to avoid litigation. Our attorneys do not shy away from a fight, and they have many decades of combined experience in alternative dispute resolution and trial. While we will aim to obtain a fair settlement at the earliest possible point in time, we will relish the opportunity to go to court if it is in your best interests to do so.

Speak with a Fresno Dog Bite Lawyer Today: Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS

Winning a fair settlement or verdict in a dog bite case may require hundreds of hours of preparation, negotiations, and litigation. Our lawyers will invest the time and resources needed to help you pursue the best possible outcome. Call 1-800-GO-HARRIS or message us to set up a free consultation.