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

A toddler sustained serious injuries in a dog bite incident on March 1, 2010 involving a pit bull. The San Bernardino Sun reports that the 4-year-old girl was visiting her uncle at his apartment in the 1600 block of E. Kingsley Ave. in Pomona where the dog attack occurred. Authorities say the girl may have surprised the sleeping dog. The pit bull bit the girl on the face. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The dog was neither licensed nor had current rabies shots. The pit bull was taken into custody by animal control officials. Read More

There was a report of a terrifying dog bite incident at a dog park in Patterson, California, which almost killed a little dog. The Patterson Irrigator reports that 63-year-old Rachel Newcomb and her son Ron Toscano, took their 12-pound American terrier, Tiny, for a walk in the dog park. Without any warning, a large pit bull brutally attacked Tiny, taking the terrier in its jaws and tearing it apart.
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A toddler suffered fatal injuries in a San Francisco area California dog bite incident. According to a KSEE news report, the fatal dog attack happened on October 23, 2009 in a Delhi home when a 1-year-old child being watched by a babysitter was suddenly attacked by the sitter's pit bull. The 65-pound dog then grabbed the child by the throat and dragged him around the yard.
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