Texas Dog Bite Lawyer

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Injured in a Dog Attack in Texas?

Dog bites and other animal attacks can cause serious physical injuries, scarring and emotional trauma. When an attack results from an owner’s failure to control a dog or involves an animal with a known history of dangerous behavior, legal options may be available.

The Carlson Law Firm represents adults and children injured in dog attacks throughout Texas. Our dog bite lawyers can investigate what happened, determine which state and local laws may apply and help identify potentially responsible parties and available compensation.

How Does Texas Dog Bite Law Work?

Texas does not have a single civil statute that automatically makes a dog owner liable every time a dog bites someone. Depending on the circumstances, a dog bite claim may involve common-law rules concerning a dog’s known dangerous tendencies, negligence, premises liability, local animal-control ordinances or other legal theories.

One issue could be whether the owner knew or had reason to know that the dog had dangerous tendencies. However, a prior bite is not necessarily the only important factor. A dog owner’s conduct may also be relevant when determining whether the owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent an attack.

Texas also has laws addressing dangerous dogs, and cities and counties may have additional animal-control or restraint requirements. Because the rules and available claims depend on the circumstances, a dog bite lawyer can investigate the dog’s history, the owner’s actions and the laws that applied where the attack occurred.

Does a Dog Have to Bite Someone Before an Owner Can Be Liable?

No. A previous bite is not always required for a dog owner to be held responsible for an attack. A dog’s prior behavior may be relevant if it showed the owner that the animal had dangerous tendencies, even if the dog had not previously bitten someone.

The circumstances surrounding the attack and the owner’s actions may also support other legal theories. For example, a case may involve questions about whether the owner failed to reasonably control or restrain the dog.

Can Local Leash Laws Affect a Dog Bite Case?

They may. Local ordinances can establish requirements for restraining or controlling dogs, and a violation may be relevant to determining responsibility after an attack. The effect of a particular ordinance depends on the circumstances and applicable law.

Because animal-control rules vary by location, a dog bite lawyer can identify the requirements that applied where the attack occurred and evaluate whether they may affect the claim.

What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?

After a dog bite or animal attack, protecting your health should come first. The steps taken afterward may also help document what happened and preserve information that could become important later.

  • Seek medical attention. Bite wounds can require professional treatment, particularly when they are deep, involve significant bleeding or create infection concerns.
  • Identify the dog and its owner. If possible, obtain the owner’s contact information and information about the dog.
  • Report the attack. Contact the appropriate local animal-control agency or other authority when required or appropriate.
  • Photograph your injuries. Document bite wounds, bruising, torn clothing and the location where the attack occurred.
  • Identify witnesses. Obtain contact information from anyone who saw the attack or may know about the dog’s prior behavior.
  • Keep relevant records. Save medical documentation, bills, photographs, correspondence and other records related to the incident.
A dog owner petting his dogs in a park.
Image of a white pit bull dog

Should I REPORT a dog bite?

Reporting a dog bite to the appropriate local animal-control agency can create a record of the incident and may help authorities identify the dog, review vaccination information and investigate its history. Reporting requirements and procedures vary by jurisdiction.

If possible, keep a copy of the report or case number along with other records related to the attack.

Common DOG BITE injuries

Dog attacks can cause injuries ranging from surface wounds to serious tissue damage. The severity of an injury can depend on factors like the location of the bite, the force of the attack and the age and health of the person injured. Common injuries include:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Lacerations
  • Abrasions
  • Tissue and nerve damage
  • Crush injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Infections
 

A serious dog attack can also have psychological effects, especially for children or people who suffer significant or visible injuries. Depending on the circumstances, those effects may include anxiety, fear of dog or trouble sleeping.

Image of police man with dog

Dog Bite Injuries to Children

Children can suffer serious injuries in dog attacks, especially when bites involve the face, head, hands or arms. In addition to immediate medical treatment, some injuries may require follow-up care for scarring, disfigurement or emotional effects associated with the attack.

When a child is injured, a dog bite lawyer can investigate the circumstances of the attack, identify potentially responsible parties and evaluate the losses associated with the child’s injuries.

How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help?

Dog bite cases can involve questions about the animal’s history, the owner’s knowledge and actions, local animal-control requirements and available insurance coverage. A dog bite lawyer can investigate these issues and determine what evidence may be relevant to a potential claim. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may:

  • Investigate the attack – Review how and where the attack occurred and the circumstances leading up to it.
  • Research the dog’s history – Look for prior bites, attacks, complaints or other evidence of dangerous behavior.
  • Identify potentially responsible parties – Determine whether the dog owner, property owner or another party may bear responsibility.
  • Review state and local laws – Evaluate applicable Texas law and local animal-control or restraint requirements.
  • Gather and preserve evidence – Obtain photographs, witness statements, animal-control records, medical documentation and other relevant evidence.
  • Identify available insurance coverage – Investigate homeowners, renters or other insurance policies that may provide coverage for the claim.
  • Document injuries and losses – Evaluate medical expenses, lost income, scarring and other effects of the attack.
  • Handle communications and pursue the claim – Communicate with insurers and other involved parties and prepare the case for negotiation or litigation when appropriate.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Dog Bite?

If a dog owner or another party is legally responsible for an attack, a personal injury claim may allow the injured person to seek compensation for losses caused by the incident. The damages available depend on the circumstances of the case and the effects of the injuries.

  • Medical expenses – Treatment related to bite wounds and other injuries.
  • Future medical care – Additional treatment, surgery or rehabilitation that may be necessary.
  • Lost wages – Income lost while recovering from injuries.
  • Loss of earning capacity – When injuries affect the ability to earn income in the future.
  • Pain and suffering – Physical pain and other noneconomic effects of the injuries.
  • Scarring and disfigurement – Particularly when bites cause permanent visible injuries.
  • Mental anguish – Psychological effects associated with the attack when supported by the circumstances.

Texas Dog Bite FAQs

Not necessarily. A prior bite can be important evidence that an owner knew a dog had dangerous tendencies, but it is not the only circumstance that may matter. Depending on the facts, a dog bite claim may also involve negligence, negligent restraint, local animal-control ordinances or other legal theories.

A dog bite lawyer can investigate the dog’s history, the owner’s actions and the circumstances of the attack to determine which legal theories may apply.

Compensation may be available if a dog owner or another party is legally responsible for the attack. Depending on the injuries and circumstances, recoverable damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, scarring and disfigurement.

The available damages depend on the facts of the case, so an attorney can evaluate the attack and the losses associated with the injuries.

Seek medical attention when needed and, if possible, identify the dog and its owner. You should also consider reporting the attack to the appropriate local animal-control agency, photographing your injuries and the location of the attack, obtaining contact information from witnesses and keeping medical records and other documentation related to the incident.

Reporting a dog bite to the appropriate local animal-control agency can create a record of the incident and may help authorities identify the dog, review vaccination information and investigate its history. Reporting requirements and procedures vary by jurisdiction.

If you make a report, keep the report or case number with your other records related to the attack.

According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter §16.003, the state generally gives a person two years from the date a personal injury claim accrues to file a lawsuit. However, exceptions and other deadlines may apply depending on the circumstances. An attorney can determine which deadlines apply to a particular dog bite claim.

A dog bite lawyer can investigate the circumstances of the attack, review the dog’s history, identify potentially responsible parties and determine which state and local laws may apply. An attorney can also gather evidence, evaluate the injuries and financial losses, communicate with insurance companies and pursue a claim when appropriate.

Contact a Texas Dog Bite Lawyer

A serious dog attack can leave lasting physical, financial and emotional effects. If you or your child was injured by a dog, The Carlson Law Firm can investigate what happened, review the applicable Texas and local laws and help determine what legal options may be available.

Contact The Carlson Law Firm to schedule a free consultation with a Texas dog bite lawyer.

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