A serious dog bite can lead to emergency care, antibiotics, surgery, or physical therapy. Bites can cause nerve damage or permanent loss of movement. They also lead to missed work, follow-up appointments, and insurance questions that aren’t easy to handle without help.

The first few days are where most cases start to drift. The injury is real, but the details may not be documented. The dog owner might offer an apology, but no clear path forward. And once the insurance company gets involved, it becomes harder to know what to say or whether to say anything at all.

California Law Holds Dog Owners Accountable

Injuries That May Support a Dog Bite Claim

Medical Issues That Can Complicate Recovery

• Torn skin requiring stitches or surgical closure
• Infections needing antibiotics or wound care
• Damage to nerves, tendons, or blood vessels
• Ongoing pain or restricted movement
• Scarring or disfigurement, especially on the face, hands, or arms

Broader Disruptions Beyond Treatment

• Missed time from work
• Reduced ability to care for children or manage physical tasks
• Loss of sleep, appetite, or focus because of pain
• Psychological effects, particularly in children or older adults

The more clearly the injury is tied to the bite—and the more specific the documentation—the stronger the case becomes.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Fresno or the Central Valley

Report the Bite to Fresno County Animal Services

Filing a report creates an official record. It also confirms the dog’s vaccination status and alerts local authorities to any prior complaints.

Preserve What Can Be Proven

Take photos of the wound before and after treatment. Save clothing that was torn. Write down the location, what was said by the owner, and whether anyone saw what happened. Your photos, notes, and observations don’t need to be perfect, but they help establish what happened if the facts are later questioned.

Avoid Giving a Statement Without Attorney Guidance

It may feel natural to answer questions if the dog owner’s insurance company calls. But even a brief statement can be used to question what happened or minimize the injury. Once something is on record, it’s harder to correct later. Our dog bite attorney will step in to handle those conversations and make sure nothing is said that weakens the case.

When a Dog Bites a Child

How the Injury Affects Recovery

When a dog bites a child, the damage usually isn’t limited to the surface. Bites to the face or hands can lead to stitches, surgery, or permanent scars. And even after the injury starts to heal, it can affect sleep, behavior, or how the child responds to day-to-day situations.

What Happens With a Settlement

In California, when a minor receives a settlement, the court reviews and approves the terms before any money is released. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 372 and Probate Code § 3600 et seq., this review ensures the outcome is fair and in the child’s best interest—even if the case doesn’t go to trial.

The funds aren’t paid directly to the family. They’re usually held in a blocked account until the child turns 18 or until a specific need is approved.

Tim Mazzela, APC prepares each case with that timeline in mind—making sure the resolution reflects both the immediate effects of the bite and what the child may need later.

Who Pays for a Dog Bite Claim?

In most cases, the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance covers the injury. That includes bites that happen on the owner’s property and, in some cases, off-property as well. Some policies exclude coverage for certain breeds, but coverage still applies in most standard situations.

If the dog’s owner doesn’t have insurance, or if the bite happened at a rental where the landlord knew the dog posed a risk, we will examine whether other parties may be liable and build the case around the facts that support compensation for the medical, financial, and personal fallout.

Compensation That May Be Available After a Dog Bite

Economic Losses

When a dog bite leads to medical treatment, time away from work, or new expenses, those financial losses may be part of the case. California law allows recovery for costs tied directly to the injury and its effect on your ability to function day to day.

Examples of economic losses include:

• Emergency room bills and follow-up care
• Surgery, wound care, or physical therapy
• Lost wages during recovery
• Reduced earning ability after the injury
• Out-of-pocket costs tied to medical treatment or household help

Non-Economic Losses

Not every effect of a serious bite shows up on a bill. Pain, fear, and the impact on daily life can be just as real—and just as lasting. California law recognizes the broader consequences of an injury, even when they’re harder to measure.

Examples of non-economic losses include:

• Physical pain and limited movement
• Anxiety, trauma, or emotional distress
• Sleep disruption or long-term fear of animals
• Scarring or visible disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment in personal or family life

Dog bite lawyer, Tim Mazzela builds each case with the documentation, timing, and strategy needed to maximize compensation and reflect the full impact of the injury.

How Insurance Companies Push Back

Strict liability doesn’t mean automatic payment. The insurer may question whether a bite happened at all. They might argue the injury wasn’t serious, claim the person provoked the dog, or say the victim didn’t have a legal right to be there. They may try to settle quickly, before the full impact is known.

When the facts aren’t clear or the case isn’t documented early, the insurance company pushes to shape the narrative. To counter this, our dog bite attorney will work to connect the injury, the location, the dog, and the owner in a way that doesn’t leave room for doubt.

How Tim Mazzela APC Builds Compelling Cases

Each case starts with a review of the facts. That includes how the bite occurred, what kind of treatment was needed, and whether coverage applies. From there, the case is developed with attention to medical documentation, witness information, and the owner’s responsibility under California law.

We manage every part of the process, including:

• Medical record gathering
• Communication with the insurance company
• Documentation of long-term impact
• Coordination with Animal Services or other local agencies
• Support for settlement, or litigation when needed

You don’t need to gather everything before you call. And you don’t need to decide whether to move forward on that first call either. The goal is to help you understand the options, not to pressure you into a case you’re not sure about.

The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites in California

California gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a dog bite lawsuit. For minors, the deadline is extended, but the longer a case sits, the harder it becomes to support it with clear documentation.

As time passes, medical records get harder to access. Photos and physical evidence may no longer exist. And by the time the case needs to be proven, key details may already be missing. Getting started as soon as possible will increase your chances of maximizing any available compensation.

What to Expect When You Contact Tim Mazzela APC

The First Call Covers the Basics

You’ll speak with someone who understands how dog bite cases work. We’ll ask when and where it happened, what kind of injury occurred, and whether medical care was received. No paperwork is needed. No long explanation required.

If the Case Is a Fit

If it meets the criteria for representation, we’ll walk you through what happens next—how the case will be evaluated, what you can expect from us, and how fees are handled.

No Upfront Cost

There’s no charge for the consultation. If the case moves forward, we work on a contingency basis. That means we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Take the First Step

A dog bite can lead to medical bills, missed work, and long-term effects that don’t always get taken seriously by insurers. If the bite resulted in real injury and loss, you may qualify for compensation.

Tim Mazzela, APC has handled serious injury cases across Fresno and the Central Valley with attention to what wins cases—clear documentation, smart timing, and outcomes that reflect the full impact of the injury. If you’re ready to understand where the case stands and what comes next, call our office for a free, no-obligation consultation at (559) 297-1118 or contact us by email today to start the process of rebuilding your life.