Are you a native Spanish speaker in Fresno, who has, unfortunately, been bitten by a dog, but are unsure of your legal rights? Fortunately, we speak Spanish at Normandie Law Firm and are committed to ensuring all of our clients, regardless of their background receive all the resources they require to earn the monetary compensation that they deserve. Dog bites can be incredibly traumatic, and they can leave victims with a wide range of injuries that can affect them for a lifetime. Victims have every right to seek legal representation from a Spanish speaking law firm experienced in fighting for the rights of those injured by dog bites. At Normandie Law Firm our Spanish speaking dog bite accident and injury attorneys can guide you through the process of filing a claim, representing your case in court, and collecting monetary compensation for the damages. If you have any questions after reading this article, please feel free to reach out to our law offices in Fresno, California for a free consultation from one of our experienced legal advisors.
Fresno Dog Bite Laws & The Damages of Dog Attacks
In Fresno, many dog bite ordinances protect citizens and visitors from the potential damages these attacks can cause. Many of these laws are supported by California’s dog liability laws, which dictate that dog owners are to be held responsible for the actions of their dogs, regardless if they played a part in the attack or not. Some of the dog bite laws in Fresno include that all dogs are registered. This registration involves the vaccination of the dog, which helps prevent the spread of bite transmitted infections. Dogs in Fresno are also expected to be kept on a leash when they are in the public space, or on the private property of Fresno residents. If a dog bite does occur in Fresno, some laws dictate how the owners and victims are expected to proceed. Usually, after a dog attack, the dog in question is expected to be put on quarantine which can take place at the home of the owner or under the care of local animal services. During this quarantine, the dog’s health is monitored to check for signs of infection. The length of this quarantine can vary, but it is essentially put in place to avoid the spread of dog bite infections which can be the most damaging part of any dog attack.
Filing a dog bite lawsuit against the dog owner can be incredibly challenging. This is particularly true for native Spanish speakers who are unfamiliar with the entire legal process. Fortunately, a Spanish speaking Fresno attorney could help you navigate the legal hurdles involved with filing a case of this nature. One of the crucial parts in filing these suits is being able to identify the damages and injuries you suffered. While dog attacks can result in truly damaging laceration and piercing wounds, the residual effects of these injuries can be far more troubling. Known as dog bite infections, these infections are the reason why dog bite laws in Fresno and the greater state of California are so stringent. Listed below are some of the common infections that are caused by dog bites:
- Rabies: Rabies is the most dangerous diseases that people can contract through dog bites. While cases of rabies are rare, the rabies disease is incredibly lethal. Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and once symptoms show is almost always fatal. One of the most common ways to contract rabies is through the bite and saliva of an infected animal. Victims who have been exposed to an animal that could have rabies should immediately seek out medical treatment.
- Capnocytophaga: This is a bacteria that lives in the mouths of humans, dogs, and cats. These bacteria don’t make dogs or cats sick, so it is not always easy to identify if your pet has it. The spread of Capnocytophaga to humans is rare, but they are typically spread through bites, scratches or close contact with a dog or cat. Most people who come into contact with dogs or cats do not become sick. However, people with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of becoming sick.
- Pasteurella: this is a type of bacteria seen in over 50% of infected dog bite wounds. The bacteria commonly cause a painful, red infection around the bite area, but it can create more severe conditions in those with a weakened immune system.
- MRSA: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to some antibiotics. Dogs and other animals can carry MRSA without showing symptoms. However, the bacteria can cause skin, lung, and urinary tract infections in people. In some, MRSA can spread to the bloodstream or lungs and cause life-threatening infections.
- Tetanus: Tetanus is a toxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani, and can cause rigid paralysis in people exposed to it through deep bite wounds.
When people in the city of Fresno suffer from dog bite wounds, it is incredibly important that they are properly treated. While it is always important that you seek medical treatment from a trained professional, it is often crucial that you can apply some form of treatment as soon as possible. For your reference we’ve included some of the recommended treatments for dog bite injuries:
- Minor Wounds: With minor dog bite wounds it is recommended that you wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water, apply an antibiotic cream, then cover the wound with a clean bandage. You should see a healthcare provider if the wound becomes: red, painful, warm, or swollen; if you develop a fever; or if the dog that bit you was acting strangely.
- Deep Wounds: If you have suffered a deep wound it is recommended that you apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding does not stop or slow, or you feel faint or weak, call 911 or any other local emergency medical service immediately. With deep wounds, it is highly recommended that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your dog bite or dog attack, it is always in your best interest that you seek legal assistance from an attorney experienced in handling cases of this nature. This is especially true of native Spanish speakers in Fresno. A Spanish speaking dog bite lawyer in Fresno can not only guide you through the process, but they can help you translate and understand the legal process involved.
How To File A Dog Bite Attack Lawsuit In Fresno
If you or a loved one have been injured in a dog bite attack or have been bitten by a dog, you have every right to file a claim for monetary compensation. As mentioned prior, in the state of California, dog owners are always held liable for the actions of their dogs even if they did nothing to cause the incident. That being said, it is still highly recommended for native Spanish speakers in Fresno to seek assistance from a lawyer who can speak Spanish to help guide you through the process. In some law firms, they lack the resources to assist the needs of native Spanish speakers, and as a result, these injured victims can be poorly represented. At Normandie Law Firm, our Spanish attorneys are committed to ensuring our clients understand the entire process.
One of the crucial aspects in filing these suits is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the period in which an injured individual has to bring their case to court. If they fail to do so, it is incredibly likely that their lawsuit will be dismissed from court. There are some exceptions to this ruling, and one of our Spanish speaking dog bite lawyers in Fresno can help you evaluate your case to see if any of these exceptions relate to your case. If it is found that your case doesn’t qualify for any of the statutes of limitation exceptions, California statute of limitations laws dictates that you have two years from the date of the attack to file your dog bite lawsuit.
When filing a case of this nature, an attorney will recommend that you collect adequate evidence to support your claim. This evidence can include things like photographs of your injuries, video footage detailing the event, eyewitness accounts, and medical records showing the extent of your injuries. This evidence plays a crucial role in the outcome of your case and can be the deciding factor in determining how much you will receive in your settlement.
In cases of this nature, it is unlikely that the defendant will attempt to dispute your claims for compensation. Regardless it is always in your best interest that you seek assistance from Spanish lawyer who can help you sue for the damages that you may have suffered.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
Dog bites can leave victims from a wide variety of damages, some of which go beyond the initial physical injury. Other damages such as medical expenses, a loss of wages, a potential loss of future wages may also be at play. Fortunately, if you are a native Spanish speaker in Fresno and have suffered the damages of a dog bite or dog attack, you may be able to file a claim for monetary compensation to cover this kind of damages. However, when filing these lawsuits as a native Spanish speaker, it is highly recommended that you seek legal representation from a Fresno dog bite attorney that speaks Spanish. At Normandie Law firm our Spanish speaking dog attack lawyers can guide you through the often arduous process of bringing your case from the filing process to the settlement process. If you file a claim with our Spanish speaking law firm, you may be eligible to receive compensation for some if not all of the following damages:
- All of you medical and hospitalization costs
- All of your future medical care and treatment
- A loss of income and loss of future earnings due to long-term recovery or permanent disability due to the accident
- Compensable economic damages include loss of property or damaged property.
- Compensable non-economic damages include emotional distress, trauma, PTSD resulting from the accident, pain and suffering and anxiety.
Native Spanish speakers who have experienced damages as a result of a dog bite or dog attack in Fresno can contact our law offices to learn more about how to receive compensation for their injuries. While our law firm is based near Fresno, our attorneys also practice in Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Orange County, Riverside, Los Angeles, and throughout the state of California.
Free Second Opinions
Other attorneys will sign you up for their firm but will disappear once your name is on the paper as they are busy signing up more cases. In these instances, their business is based more on volume and will attempt to sign up as many cases as possible. In turn, they will spend less time on cases resulting in severely reduced settlements. Our firm will not treat you like a number. We will be in communication with you throughout our lawsuit and will treat you like family. So if you already have an attorney don’t worry, we’ll give you a second review of your case 100% free of charge.
Zero Fee Guarantee-No Upfront Fees Ever
If you contact our law offices today, we can walk you through the complicated process of filing your claim completely free of charge. As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Please, feel free to give us a call, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
