Don’t Let A Dog Bite Ruin Your Life

Texas Dog Bite Attorney

Dogs can add joy to a family’s life, but ownership comes with responsibility. In Texas, dog owners owe a duty to people that are harmed by their dog and can be sued for monetary damages. If you’ve suffered injuries such as a dog bite to your hands, arms, legs, or face, you may have permanent physical injuries and disfiguring scars. That’s why it’s important to speak to a Texas dog bite lawyer after you’ve been bit to discuss bringing a claim.

Texas Dog Bite Laws

It’s not easy to prove a claim against a dog owner in Texas due to the “one bite rule” adopted by Texas courts. This means that you can collect compensation from the owner of a dog that bit you only if you can prove the following:

• The owner was aware of the dog’s “vicious propensities” and aggressiveness because the dog had attacked somebody previously;
• The owner was negligent or reckless in controlling their dog;
• The negligence of the owner was the cause of the injuries.

It’s also important to show that your actions did not contribute to your injuries. For example, it’s necessary to prove that you did not pet the dog without permission or engage in any other type of behavior that might have caused the dog to bite you. Your Texas dog bite attorney will thoroughly investigate your case to try to find evidence that will help your case meet the Texas legal standard.

Proving A Dog Has Dangerous Propensities

Texas has outlawed bans on specific breeds of dogs, but does allow insurance companies to charge higher premiums to homeowners that have the following types of dogs:

• Pit bull type breeds;
• Boxers;
• Rottweilers;
• German Shepherds;
• Doberman Pinschers.

 The easiest way to prove that a dog is dangerous is to check if a claim has been filed with the Texas Justice of the Peace. Once a dog has been so designated as dangerous, it is much easier to bring a case against an owner for a dog bite. These are some of types of evidence that can prove that a dog owner had prior knowledge of their dog’s vicious propensities:

• Text records from before and after the dog bite;
• Social media postings;
• Veterinarian records;
• Local newspapers and social media groups;
• Interviewing neighbors.

It will be extremely challenging to perform this investigation on your own, and getting text and social media records will usually require a subpoena. That’s why it’s so important to hire an experienced Texas dog bite attorney to handle your case. LAWBOSS is a well-respected dog bite attorney in Texas. Call 1-800-LAWBOSS to schedule a free in person or remote consultation.

Types of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites can cause a variety of injuries that vary in severity. Some dog bites can cause permanent disfigurement and/or loss of use of a body part. These are some of the more common injuries sustained by dog bite victims:

• Puncture wounds and lacerations
• Broken bones
• Torn ligaments
• Eye injuries
• Head, neck, and back strains
• Rabies
• Emotional distress

The owner of a dog with vicious propensities is not just responsible for the damage directly caused by the dog. You can also claim damages for injuries you sustain while running away from the dog or being knocked down.

Documenting Your Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bite cases, like all personal injury cases, require evidence to support the existence and severity of the injuries. That’s why it’s a good idea to go to the emergency room after a dog bites you to be thoroughly checked and tested for rabies. If you don’t want to go to the hospital the next best choice is a well equipped urgent care center in your community. Primary care doctors do not usually have the equipment or expertise to handle traumatic injuries from dog bites. It’s important to follow up with follow up visits recommended at your first exam and to keep appointments for any testing that’s suggested. Make sure to give your Texas dog bite lawyer the names of all the doctors and therapists that treat you so that they can obtain your reports as evidence for your case.

What Type Of Compensation Is Available For Texas Dog Bite Cases?

Texas law allows victims of dog bites to sue for monetary damages as compensation for the injuries they sustained. These are some of the types of damages that can be collected:

• Current and Future Medical Costs
• Lost Earnings
• Lost Future Earning Capacity
• Pain and Suffering
• Mental Anguish

Reimbursement for the cost of care and for lost earnings is limited to the actual amount of money at hand, but awards for pain, suffering, and mental anguish are subjective. This means that if a jury is sympathetic to how much the dog bite has caused you to suffer, they can award very large amounts of money. This is especially true if the dog bite has caused a prominent disfiguring scar or if your dog bite injury has caused you to suffer long term or permanent disability.

How To Prevent Dog Bites?

Close to five million people a year are bitten by dogs in the United States, with Insurance companies paying out more than one billion dollars a year on dog bite cases. Most of the attacks were from male dogs that were not neutered. These are some tips for avoiding dog bites:

• Don’t run away from a dog;
• Don’t scream if you feel threatened by a dog;
• Try to remain still or back away SLOWLY;
• Don’t approach strange dogs;
• Don’t let strangers pet your dog;
• Use an object such as a backpack to protect yourself from a dog.

Texas Dog Bite Attorney

The first step is a consultation with a Texas dog bite attorney to discuss the facts of your case and the available evidence. Once you’ve retained your lawyer, an investigation will begin to gather additional documentary evidence and interview witnesses. During this time you will continue to get whatever treatment you require for your injuries. Once you’ve completed your treatment, your attorney will try to settle your case. If the offer to settle is not acceptable, your case will proceed towards trial. Most dog bite cases are settled before a jury brings back a verdict. If you’ve been bitten by a dog, call 1-800-LAWBOSS to make an appointment for a free in person or virtual consultation.

Never take on a dog owner alone. The LAWBOSS is here to help.

A bite from man’s best friend can have painful or even fatal consequences. This should be taken very seriously. If you have been bitten by a dog, then you know the experience can be a lot scarier and more dangerous than most people think. A serious dog bite should never be taken lightly, as they can result in permanent muscle damage and deep tissue scaring.

If you are wondering how to get compensation for a dog attack, call 1-800-LAWBOSS and find out how we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites

Injured by a dog bite attack? Call 800-LAWBOSS