Fresno Dog Bite Injury Attorney

Dog Bite Lawyer in Fresno, California

A dog bite can happen in an instant, and the injuries left behind can be far more serious than people realize. Deep puncture wounds, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and emotional trauma are all too common outcomes for victims, many of whom have no idea that California law entitles them to compensation. If you or someone you love has been attacked by a dog in Fresno, you have the right to hold the animal’s owner accountable, and you don’t have to navigate that process alone.

At Setareh Law, we have spent decades standing up for injury victims throughout California, recovering over $250 million in compensation on behalf of our clients. With 60 years of combined experience and a firm commitment to personalized, one-on-one client service, we are here to guide you through every step of your dog bite claim and fight tirelessly for the outcome you deserve. As a starting point, our attorneys can review the full scope of your practice areas to identify every available avenue for compensation.

California’s Strict Liability Dog Bite Law

California is one of the strongest states in the country for dog bite victims. Under California Civil Code Section 3342, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries their animals cause, meaning you do not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous or had bitten someone before. If the bite occurred in a public place or while you were lawfully on private property, the owner is responsible.

This is a meaningful distinction. In many states, a victim must show the owner had prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive tendencies, often referred to as the “one bite rule.” California does not follow that standard, which means our attorneys can focus on building a strong case for your damages rather than proving the owner’s negligence. According to the CDC, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and an estimated 800,000 of those require medical attention, underscoring just how serious and widespread this problem truly is.

What Damages Can a Fresno Dog Bite Victim Recover?

The financial and emotional impact of a dog bite can extend well beyond the emergency room, and California law allows victims to seek compensation for the full range of losses they have suffered.

Economic and Non-Economic Losses

Medical treatment for bite injuries often involves wound care, surgery, reconstructive procedures, and ongoing physical or psychological therapy. At the same time, many victims suffer real emotional and quality-of-life consequences that deserve compensation just as much as their medical bills. The damages our attorneys pursue in these cases typically include the following:

Emergency medical care and hospitalization
Reconstructive or plastic surgery costs
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Psychological treatment for anxiety, PTSD, or fear of dogs

These losses deserve to be fully accounted for when building your case. Our attorneys take a thorough, detail-oriented approach to ensuring nothing is left on the table.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

In most dog bite cases, the owner of the animal is the primary liable party, but depending on where the attack occurred, other parties may share responsibility as well. If a landlord knowingly allowed a dangerous dog to remain on the property, or a business owner failed to take reasonable steps to protect visitors, there may be additional grounds for recovery. Our attorneys examine every angle of your case, including whether premises liability factors apply, to build the strongest possible claim.

Common Injuries in Dog Bite Cases

Dog attacks can cause a wide range of physical harm depending on the size of the animal and the nature of the attack. Victims frequently sustain puncture wounds, lacerations, broken bones from being knocked to the ground, and infections that develop from the bacteria naturally present in a dog’s mouth. Children and elderly adults face the greatest risk of severe injury and are often the most vulnerable in these situations. In the most serious cases, dog bites can lead to permanent nerve damage, vision loss, or even wrongful death, and families who have lost a loved one to a dog attack may have a separate claim under our wrongful death practice.

How Long Do You Have to File?

California law generally allows dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury claim. This deadline may be shorter in certain circumstances, such as when a minor is involved or when a government entity may be liable.

Waiting too long can mean losing your right to any compensation, which is why speaking with an attorney as soon as possible is so important. Our team is available around the clock and will move quickly to investigate your case, preserve evidence, and meet every legal deadline on your behalf.

Contact Setareh Law for a Free Consultation

If a dog attack has turned your life upside down, Setareh Law is ready to help. We represent dog bite victims in Fresno and throughout California on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we win your case. Our firm has earned over 400 five-star Google reviews, a reflection of the trust, care, and results we bring to every client relationship.

You deserve a team that will fight for you with the same passion you would bring to protecting your own family. Reach out today through our contact form to schedule your free consultation with a Fresno dog bite lawyer at Setareh Law.

Client Reviews

★★★★★ “Daniel Setareh is an excellent lawyer! He and his staff worked really hard to get the best settlement for me and I am amazed with what I got. If you need a lawyer who can get the highest settlement, Daniel is the man. The staff was also very helpful and they referred me right away to professionals which helped me manage my neck pain. They took good care of me. I would highly recommend Daniel to everyone I know. Top notch lawyer and very compassionate.” Lilibeth, 2026.01.09

★★★★★ “Daniel Setareh Law and his office gave me a wonderful experience. They handled my car accident matter and made an acceptable settlement. They are friendly and responsible. Thank you all.” Asadur Rahman, 2024.01.31

★★★★★ “I really enjoyed working with this law firm. They made it very nice and easy to finish my case . I was recommended by my sister and I will recommend in the future do you to the amazing experience.” Daniel Robles , 2026.01.22

★★★★★ “We initially retained a local Sacramento lawyer but were not very impressed with our interaction. Hubby then found Setareh Law on an AVVO review. The first phone call with Aaron was promising. He listened! Then, we immediately got a phone call from Daniel Setareh. Long story short, they were able to help us immensely and resolved my dad’s accident/injury. Ylzy and Rafael were my contacts and provided much help and answered most of our questions. I highly recommend this firm.” Vicki Suan, 2024.02.05

★★★★★ “They were very nice and helped me with my case immediately. They were very patient with me and helped me settle with the other side in a professional and timely manner. Would recommend.” Olivia D Morales, 2026.02.05

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Meet Daniel Setareh

Daniel Setareh is a California personal injury attorney and founder of Setareh Law, APLC Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, a firm that has recovered over $400 million for injury victims across the state. He earned his J.D. from Southwestern School of Law and has been recognized for his dedication to clients through over 100 five-star reviews on Avvo, the Avvo Client’s Choice Award for six consecutive years, and the 2026 Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award, one of the legal industry’s most prestigious client service distinctions.

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