Emako Mendoza, 76, who was brutally mauled in a San Diego dog bite incident in June, died from her injuries on December 24, 2011. According to a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune, Mendoza's husband said that her kidneys were shutting down and she was having trouble breathing. According to the testimony given in a September court hearing regarding the attack, the two pit bulls escaped the yard of Alba Cornelio, 39, and her daughter, Carla Cornelio, 20 by pushing through a gap in their fence. The dogs attacked Mendoza and left her catastrophically injured. Mendoza underwent eight surgeries since the vicious attack, including amputations of her left leg below the knee and left arm below the elbow. Most recently, she also had to have her right leg amputated.

My heartfelt condolences go out to Emako Mendoza’s husband, James, her friends and family members for what they have undergone over the last six months and their terrible loss at this time. My heart especially goes out to James Mendoza who had to watch his wife suffer through the pain and endure eight surgeries. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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Thousands upon thousands of dog bites happen every day in the United States, and over 4.5 million happen every year. It might not seem like it, but they are a fairly common occurrence. There are several things you need to know in case you are bitten or injured, and knowing these tips and tricks will go a long way in your personal injury case.

With an ever-growing population and more houses and apartments going up every day, more dogs will be entering our communities. Oddly, dog bite incidents have risen over the years while dog ownership has stayed the same. The only conclusion one can deduce from these findings is that dog bites and dog attacks are mostly random acts. You need to be prepared. Read More

A dog bite incident in the City Heights area of San Diego resulted in injuries for a man and two girls the morning of August 28, 2011. 10News reports that the incident involving a pit bull happened on Auburn Drive near Euclid Avenue when a dog attacked two girls, both 6. The man in possession of the dog, identified as David Powell, reportedly told officials that he was taking care of the dog.

But a news report in The San Diego Union-Tribune states that the person whom Powell identified as the pit bull's owner denied that he was the dog owner. One of the girls suffered cuts to her face, arm and fingers, requiring stitches. The other girl was bitten on the neck and Powell himself was bitten on his hand. An investigation is ongoing.

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Officials have identified a 46-year-old woman who was seriously injured in a dog bite incident in Yucca Valley the morning of July 25, 2011 as Jaqueline Sharp. KCDZ radio reports that the brutal dog attack happened when Sharp was attacked by two pit bulls on her neighbor's driveway. She was severely injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment. Officials are looking into how or why this attack occurred.

My heart goes out to the injured victim of this dog attack. I wish Jacqueline Sharp the very best for a swift and full recovery. She will be in my prayers.

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A man identified as 57-year-old Jesus Martinez and a police officer were injured in a dog bite incident in San Bernardino County after both were attacked by the same pit bull. The Press-Enterprise reports that the incident occurred near State Street the morning of July 9, 2011. Martinez was attacked by the dog when he was walking his own dogs. He was bitten on both his arms. Two police officers responded to the incident and located the pit bull. The dog lunged at them and bit one of the officers. The other officer then fatally shot the dog.

I hope neither Martinez nor the officer sustained major injuries. I pray that they recover swiftly and fully from whatever injuries they have sustained.

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An elderly woman who sustained catastrophic injuries in a San Diego dog bite incident has been identified as 75-year-old Emako Mendoza. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the dog attack occurred the morning of June 18, 2011 when two of her neighbor's pit bulls escaped from their yard and came into her backyard. Mendoza was brutally mauled by the dogs and had to have a leg amputated. Officials are investigating the incident to see if any criminal charges should be filed against the dogs' owner.

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Police in San Jose have identified the elderly man who was seriously injured in a December 29, 2010 dog bite incident as Bob Ferguson. The San Jose Mercury News reports that the unprovoked dog attack occurred in the Blossom Hill area. Ferguson, 78, was walking his own smaller dog, when two large dogs - a boxer and a Labrador - which were running loose in the neighborhood, charged and attacked him. He was severely bitten on his left ear, head and arm. Ferguson was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Local animal control officials are in the process of conducting a dangerous dog investigation.

I sympathize with Bob Ferguson for the painful injuries and emotional trauma he must have suffered in this dog attack. I pray for his swift and full recovery.

Strict Liability Statute

Dog bite victims in California can file a lawsuit against a negligent dog owner under what is known as the "strict liability statute." California’s Civil Code Section 3342 states: "The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness."

Dog owners in California can be held civilly liable for injuries their dogs cause to innocent victims. Local law enforcement agencies are also recommending criminal prosecution in cases where the dog owners' negligence led to serious injuries.

Victims' Claim for Compensation

In such cases, dog attack victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, loss of wages, cost of hospitalization, cosmetic surgery or even psychological counseling. Injured victims are often left facing costly bills because dog owners are not located or identified or because the dog owner has no liability insurance. Injured dog bite victims or their families would be well-advised to seek the counsel of a skilled San Francisco personal injury lawyer who will analyze all aspects of the incident and hold the negligent parties accountable.

Seriously injured in a San Francisco injury accident? Want to know if you have a case? Want to know what your case is worth? Want compensation for your injuries? Want justice? Want to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to someone else?

Call your best friends in the legal industry after a San Jose dog attack. Call 866-456-5235. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.

Call a BISNAR | CHASE San Francisco personal injury lawyer for a free professional evaluation of your case by attorneys who have represented over 6,000 clients since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a friendly law firm in a comfortable environment.

A suspected DUI collision in Tulare County left two people dead and three seriously injured the night of September 24, 2010. The Fresno Bee reports that the fatal collision happened at the intersection of Road 208 and Avenue 96 near Terra Bella, when 23-year-old Adrian Ramos drove through a stop sign and crashed into a vehicle driven by Manuel Valencia, 69. Two passengers in Valencia's vehicle were fatally injured. Valencia and another passenger, Juan Hernandez, 49, were transported to a local hospital with major injuries. Ramos was booked on suspicion of felony DUI. Read More

A toddler who was fatally injured in a dog bite incident in the San Francisco Bay Area the morning of July 22, 2010 has been identified by local authorities as 2-year-old Jacob Bisbee. The Contra Costa Times reports that the fatal dog attack occurred in the family's home when Jacob walked into the garage and was attacked by three pit bulls belonging to his step-grandfather, 52-year-old Steven Hayashi. Jacob died at an area hospital. Hayashi has been arrested in connection with the incident on child endangerment charges. Read More

A man and his small dog were seriously injured in a Long Beach dog bite incident involving a pit bull. According to a news report in The Press Telegram, the horrific attack happened near Livingston Drive and St. Joseph Avenue the night of April 6, 2010. The man and his dog were on the roadway when officers arrived. Both were severely bitten. When officers contacted the pit bull owner and attempted to confiscate the animal, the pit bull lunged at the officers. At that time, police shot the dog and killed it. The man and his pet were hospitalized with injuries, but are expected to survive. Read More