Child Dog Bite Cases: Fresno

Children are more vulnerable to serious injury in dog bite incidents due to their smaller size and lack of ability to protect themselves. These injuries can have long-lasting physical and emotional consequences. We specialize in representing children who have been injured by dog attacks.

We understand the unique challenges that child victims face, and we are committed to helping your family recover the compensation needed for medical expenses, therapy, and long-term care. Let us fight for your child’s rights and hold negligent dog owners accountable.

Why Dog Bites Are Especially Dangerous for Children

Understanding the Impact of Dog Bites on Children

Children are at a higher risk of severe injury from dog bites for several reasons:

• Smaller Size: Due to their smaller size, children are more likely to be bitten in vulnerable areas such as the face, neck, and head, which can lead to more serious injuries.
• Lack of Awareness: Children may not understand how to interact with animals safely and are more likely to unknowingly provoke a dog, increasing the likelihood of an attack.
• Inability to Defend Themselves: A child’s physical strength and ability to defend themselves are limited compared to adults, which can make dog attacks more dangerous and prolonged.
• Emotional Trauma: Beyond physical injuries, dog bites can leave lasting emotional trauma for children, leading to anxiety, fear of animals, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Because children face unique challenges in recovering from dog bites, it is critical to seek legal help that understands how to approach these sensitive cases.

Common Injuries in Child Dog Bite Cases

The Physical and Emotional Consequences of Dog Bites in Children

Dog bite injuries in children can range from mild to severe, and they often require specialized medical treatment. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Facial Injuries: Children are more likely to suffer bites to the face, leading to scarring, disfigurement, and the need for reconstructive surgery.
• Head and Neck Injuries: Due to their height, children are often bitten in the neck or head area, which can lead to severe trauma and life-threatening injuries.
• Nerve Damage: Deep bites can damage nerves, leading to long-term or permanent loss of sensation or movement.
• Infections and Rabies: Dog bites can result in infections, including severe bacterial infections or exposure to rabies, especially if the dog’s vaccination status is unknown.
• Psychological Trauma: Many children develop long-lasting emotional issues after a dog bite, such as fear of dogs or anxiety around animals.

These injuries can have long-term effects on a child’s physical and emotional well-being. Our team will work with medical professionals to assess the full impact of your child’s injuries and ensure they receive the care they need.

Who Is Responsible in a Child Dog Bite Case?

In California, dog owners are held strictly liable for dog bite injuries under California Civil Code Section 3342. This strict liability applies whether or not the dog had a history of aggression or had previously bitten anyone. In such cases, the victim does not need to prove that the owner was negligent. However, strict liability generally applies only to bites that occur in public places or when the victim was lawfully on private property. For non-bite injuries or cases where the victim was trespassing or provoked the dog, a negligence-based claim may still be pursued, but strict liability would not apply. Double damages may be awarded if the dog had previously been declared dangerous under California’s “dangerous dog” laws.

• Dog Owner’s Liability: In California, dog owners are automatically held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog, even if the dog had no known history of aggression. If the dog had previously bitten someone or exhibited dangerous behavior, the owner could face increased liability, including double damages. In cases where strict liability may not apply, such as non-bite injuries, the owner can still be held liable under a negligence-based standard.
• Landlord or Property Owner Liability: In California, a landlord can potentially be held liable for a dog bite if they had control over the premises, were aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies, and failed to take reasonable steps to protect tenants or visitors from harm.
• Violations of Local Laws: Violating local leash or restraint laws in Fresno can provide additional grounds for a claim. Fresno County Code § 9.08.030 requires dogs to be leashed when off the owner’s property, except in designated off-leash areas. A violation of these leash laws, combined with a dog bite incident, can strengthen a claim based on strict liability or negligence, as the owner’s failure to control the dog may be considered a contributing factor to the attack.

How We Can Help Your Child Recover Compensation

We’ll Fight to Secure the Compensation Your Family Needs

We understand how devastating a dog attack can be for your child and your entire family. We are committed to helping you secure the compensation needed to cover all aspects of your child’s recovery. Here’s how we help:

• Gather Medical and Psychological Evidence: We will work with doctors, therapists, and other specialists to document your child’s injuries and emotional trauma.
• Calculate Long-Term Costs: We’ll carefully assess your child’s future medical needs, including reconstructive surgery, therapy, and any ongoing treatments, to ensure full compensation.
• Handle All Legal Procedures: From filing the claim to negotiating with the dog owner’s insurance company, we handle every step of the process so you can focus on your child’s recovery.
• Litigate if Necessary: While many dog bite cases settle out of court, we are prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company or dog owner refuses to offer a fair settlement. In California, our experienced attorneys will aggressively pursue justice to ensure your child’s future medical and emotional needs are covered.

We will fight tirelessly to ensure your child’s rights are protected and that they receive the care and compensation they need for a full recovery.

Signs You May Have a Child Dog Bite Claim

How to Know if You Can Pursue a Claim on Behalf of Your Child

1. Your Child Was Bitten by Someone Else’s Dog: If your child was bitten by a dog owned by someone else, you may be able to file a claim against the dog owner or their insurance company. When a child is injured, the long-term effects of the injury are taken into consideration. For example, scars or disfigurement from a dog bite may result in higher compensation to cover future reconstructive surgery, therapy, and emotional distress.
2. The Dog Owner is Negligent: In California, strict liability generally applies to dog bites, meaning the dog owner is liable even without proving negligence. However, the owner can use provocation or trespassing as a defense. If your child provoked the dog or was unlawfully on private property at the time of the bite, the owner may not be held liable. However, cases involving very young children often mitigate the defense of provocation, as they may not be capable of intentionally provoking a dog.
3. Your Child Requires Medical Treatment: If your child needed medical attention for their injuries, including emergency care, reconstructive surgery, or therapy, you may be entitled to compensation.
4. Your Child Is Suffering Emotional Trauma: If your child is experiencing fear, anxiety, or other emotional issues as a result of the dog bite, this can be factored into the claim.

If any of these apply to your case, it’s important to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to explore your legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs About Child Dog Bite Cases

Can I file a claim on behalf of my child?
Yes, as a parent or legal guardian, you can file a claim on behalf of your child to seek compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the dog bite.

What if my child is afraid of dogs after the attack?
In California, non-economic damages for emotional trauma, such as pain and suffering or psychological harm, can be included in your claim, especially when supported by medical evidence or expert testimony.

How long do I have to file a claim for my child’s dog bite injuries?
In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bites, is generally three years from the date of the injury for adults. For minors, the statute of limitations is extended until three years after their 18th birthday, giving them until they are 21 to file a claim.