Dallas Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me

Were you bitten by a dog in Dallas, TX? Dog bites can cause serious injuries and leave behind emotional scars. When a dog’s owner or handler acts irresponsibly, they should be held to account for their negligent behavior. An experienced Dallas dog bite lawyer can fight for justice and compensation following a dog bite.

Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC represents injured victims. Our entire legal practice is based on helping individuals harmed by others’ negligence recover compensation to get their lives back on track. Our lawyers do not back down, even when confronting complex legal issues or powerful insurance companies. You can count on us to zealously represent you. 

Contact our law firm or call (214) 615-6394 today for a free, no-obligation consultation. 

How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me?

Dog bites can be traumatizing experiences. You may have suffered serious injuries and require medical treatment. You may be uncertain about how to go about seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. An experienced dog bite lawyer in Dallas, Texas can safeguard your interests through every step of the claims process.

When you hire Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC for your legal representation, you can reasonably expect us to:

• Investigate the incident to determine how the dog bite occurred
• Request medical and veterinary records
• Identify all insurance policies and pathways for compensation
• Work with your medical providers to better understand the nature of your injuries and your prognosis
• Handle communication with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf
• Monitor case deadlines and manage claim paperwork
• Negotiate for maximum compensation

Our attorney, Charles J. Bush, has been recognized by the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, and Super Lawyers (from 2021 to 2024). You can trust us to handle your case with care and diligence. Call our Dallas personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free case review.

Dog Bite Statistics

Dog bite statistics are alarming, as you can see from the following:

• Approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year.
• An average of 337,103 emergency department visits occur each year due to dog bites. This does not include patients who go to their primary care physicians or urgent care after a dog bite.
• About 27,000 people annually require reconstructive surgery due to dog bites.
• One-half of all children aged 12 and younger have been bitten by a dog.
• Dog bites are the second-leading reason for annual visits for children to an emergency department.
• More than 5,300 Postal Service workers were attacked by dogs while performing their jobs in 2022.

Unfortunately, these statistics continue to trend upward. They also fail to encapsulate the long-lasting damage that dog bites can cause to people.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bites and attacks can cause serious injuries and illnesses, including:

• Puncture wounds
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Tetanus
• Rabies
• Sepsis
• Cellulitis
• Psychological trauma

If you or a loved one suffered any of these injuries due to a dog bite, call Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC to schedule a free consultation today.

Texas Dog Bite Laws

Unlike most states, Texas does not have a civil statute that defines a dog owner’s liability if their dog bites someone. While some states use a strict liability law that holds dog owners responsible for any bites their dogs cause while a victim is lawfully on the property, Texas does not use this approach either.

Instead, Texas has a patchwork of laws that may apply in dog bite cases, including:

Negligence

Because there is no specific statute related to dog owners’ liability if their dogs bite or injure others, common law principles apply. Most dog bite cases are brought under the legal theory that the dog owner was negligent.

Negligence is the lack of ordinary care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances. This legal theory applies to dog bites, as well as other injuries caused by animals. For example, if a dog jumped on you and knocked you over, you could pursue a claim based on negligent handling. To prove negligence, you must show the following:

• The defendant owned or was responsible for a dog.
• The defendant had a duty to properly handle the dog in a safe manner to avoid injuring others.
• The defendant breached their duty of care.
• The breach caused your injuries.
• You suffered damages as a result of the dog owner’s failure to handle their dog properly.

Some people refer to this approach as a one-bite rule, arguing that the dog owner could not know their dog had a propensity to bite a human until they have bitten one before. However, it is still possible to prove your case even if the dog had not bitten someone before. You must provide sufficient evidence to show that the dog owner should have known their dog could bite based on all the information available.

However, if the dog has bitten someone before, it is a lot easier to prove that the dog owner knew the dog had a propensity for violence and should be held accountable for the victim’s injuries.

Negligence Per Se

Another legal theory that may apply in dog bite cases is negligence per se. This legal concept allows victims to recover compensation if there is a law that was designed to protect them that someone else violated. For example, if a dog owner fails to keep their dog in an enclosure or on a leash and their dog bites you, you may be able to argue that breaking this law demonstrates negligence and you should be fairly compensated for your injuries.

Dangerous Dog Designation

In Dallas, a dangerous dog is one that makes an unprovoked attack and causes bodily injury in a place other than the enclosure where it was being kept and that was reasonably certain to prevent the dog from leaving, or a dog that commits an unprovoked attack outside of its enclosure. Animal Control has the right to seize and impound any dangerous dog that causes death or serious bodily injury to a person.

Landlord Liability

In some situations, a landlord may be held legally responsible for a dog bite. For example, a landlord may allow a dog to live on the premises after it has bitten someone. Or, the landlord could fail to maintain fences, gates, or other infrastructure designed to keep the dog away from people.

What Is My Dog Bite Injury Claim Worth?

Every dog bite injury case is different. The value of your particular claim may depend on factors such as:

• The type and severity of your injuries
• Whether the dog bite caused permanent injuries or impairments
• The medical treatment you require and will require in the future
• How the injuries have affected your livelihood
• The extent of your pain and suffering
• The circumstances surrounding the attack
• Who is held responsible for the dog attack
• Insurance coverage available

An experienced dog bite lawyer can conduct a thorough evaluation of your case to determine its value.

What Damages Can I Recover From a Dog Bite?

Dog bite and attack victims may be able to recover compensation for their economic and non-economic damages, which may include:

• Past and present medical expenses
• Future medical expenses, including rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Inconvenience
• Scarring and disfigurement

An experienced personal injury attorney can review your case to determine the damages you can include in your demand.

Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Partly at Fault?

In some instances, dog bite victims may be considered partially responsible for their injuries, such as if they were roughhousing with the dog or acting carelessly. Texas allows accident victims to recover compensation in cases in which they contributed to their own injuries as long as they are not more than 51% at fault for them.

However, their damages are reduced by their degree of fault. So, if you are found to be 30% responsible for the attack, your damages would be reduced proportionately by 30%.

What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Texas?

Most personal injury cases can be resolved through an insurance claim or as part of an out-of-court settlement. However, if the insurance company denies your claim, fails to offer a fair settlement, or disputes liability, it may be necessary to file a dog bite lawsuit to preserve your right to fair compensation.

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations, so you must sue within two years of the attack to preserve your right to compensation. 

Contact Our Dallas Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If a dog bit you, you should not have to pay the consequences. An experienced Dallas dog bite lawyer from Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC can review your case and discuss your legal rights and options during a free initial consultation. Call us today to learn more.