Dog Bite Lawyers
In one year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that “an estimated 4.7 million dog bites occurred in the United States.” In a second year, “an estimated 368,245 persons have been treated for dog bite-related injuries.” Many of these injuries were sustained by children.
Texas Personal Injury Lawyers is a successful personal injury litigation firm with extensive experience in a variety of circumstances. Our team of committed attorneys successfully verdicts and negotiates settlements on behalf of clients. If you have been injured by a dog and require legal assistance, our firm offers free consultations. Our highly-experienced legal team can evaluate your situation and suggest alternatives based on their experience.
Who Is Liable For A Dog Bite Injury?
The legal liability for injuries caused by a dog bite differs by state.
Although Texas does not have a specific civil liability law for dog bites, this does not imply that you won’t be held liable if your dog attacks someone. In Marshall v. Ranne, the Texas Supreme Court outlined the legislation and criteria followed by the state in cases involving animals.
Paul Marshall sued John Ranne for damages incurred after Ranne’s boar severely injured his hand in the Marshall case. The court looked at prior animal-related judgments and concluded that Texas would impose strict liability on the owner of a vicious animal.
Texas became a “one bite rule” state after the court’s decision. This implies that the owner is held strictly liable for any damages caused by an animal considered dangerous (or potentially so). However, if the animal has never bitten anyone before, the victim must show that it was vicious before compensation can be awarded for injuries.
Texas does not have any laws regarding civil liability for dog assaults (or attacks by other animals), but it does have criminal legislation. If a dog owner engaged in criminal negligence or had reason to believe that their dog was dangerous, they may be held criminally liable. If a person should have been aware of a significant and unjustifiable risk that caused the dog attack, they can be charged with criminal negligence. In order to establish that a person was aware that their dog was dangerous, the criminal laws state that one must have knowledge of an earlier, unprovoked assault or have been informed by competent authorities that the dog is dangerous.
How Much Is My Dog Bite Settlement Worth?
While the specifics of your case will determine how much money you receive, successful plaintiffs can anticipate receiving anything between $30,000 and $50,000 in compensation for their injuries. You should anticipate recovering expenses such as:
- Medical Expenses: A medical professional should examine your injury. Unfortunately, this therapy isn’t free, and the financial strain may be significant. If your case is successful, you can anticipate recouping any medical or hospital expenses you’ve incurred throughout your legal settlement.
- Lost Wages: A serious dog bite or attack might limit your ability to take care of basic activities and lead to a normal existence. If your condition prevents you from working, you may seek compensation for lost income.
- Pain And Suffering: Dog bites can leave emotional scars that last a lifetime. This hurt may make it impossible to return to your previous routine, but you may be able to receive compensation for your pain and suffering.
- Disability Benefits: Animal instincts can quickly turn a fun animal into a bloodthirsty predator. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite or assaulted, you may be eligible for disability compensation in your settlement.
The insurance company will evaluate your case and set a dollar amount on it based on their opinions of how much it has harmed you. They may make assumptions about your injuries and try to reduce the compensation you receive because they don’t comprehend your situation. Your pain was unique to you, and you should be fairly compensated based on the suffering you’ve been through.
Should I Sue After A Dog Bites Me?
You may be furious after being attacked by a dog, and you may feel compelled to sue simply to revenge yourself on the owner or as a result of your sense that you should act.
However, before you decide to go to court, you should think about the advantages and disadvantages of doing so. If you determine that going to court is the best option for you, consider when it is appropriate to take legal action and whether it is worth your time.
Dog bites are covered by homeowners or renters insurance for pet owners, but not everyone has this coverage. If the owner of the animal that caused your injuries is uninsured and has no assets, you won’t be able to collect a judgment or money. However, due to the severity of your injuries, you may want to carefully weigh whether or not to sue. The option of not suing, for this reason, should be thoroughly examined with the assistance of a dog bite lawyer.
Also, if you decide not to sue, you should reconsider that option in the future. Small injuries may get worse over time or injuries can arise months after they occur. It is always a good idea to have a medical evaluation of your injury and then speak with a lawyer.
The right individual to assess the worth of your dog bite claim is a dog bite lawyer. In general, greater injuries (or more traumatic events) imply larger monetary settlements. However, bear in mind that most injury claims must be filed within one or two years, depending on your state’s statute of limitations.
How Do I File A Dog Bite Lawsuit?
Dog bites are straightforward in comparison to other personal injury claims. To learn more about how dog bite lawsuits function, see our step-by-step guide on civil litigation. Use the information above to show that the owner of a dog can be held responsible for an accident. The injuries you suffer must be solely caused by the dog bite.
Dog Bite Damages
Make a list of all current and future expenses connected with the dog bite injury, including both direct and indirect costs. These expenses might include:
- Medical Bills
- Expected Future Medical Costs
- Lost Wages
- Permanent Scarring
- Rehabilitation
- Permanent Disability
A dog bite is a traumatic experience that can leave a psychological scar. You may be entitled to punitive damages for any emotional harm you experienced as a result of the attack. You may examine our guide to assessing damages to help you assess any additional harm you might have incurred as a result of the dog bite. In many dog bite claims, the plaintiff seeks compensation as well as punitive damages.
Dog Bite Evidence
In the event of an injury or accident, you will almost certainly need to deal with an insurance provider during the claims procedure. It is critical to gather tangible proof that the dog bite occurred in order for your claim to be accepted.
Examples of tangible evidence include:
- Photographs of the Scene and Injuries
- Medical Bills
- Incident Reports
- Witness Reports
You’ll need to hire a dog bite lawyer to help you file a claim for damages after you’ve gathered evidence and determined your losses.
While there’s a slim possibility that the owner is covered by insurance, most insurance companies do not reimburse dog bites. If they are covered, your lawyer will try to reach an agreement with their insurance provider. If the owner is not insured, your lawyer must file a claim in court against them, leading to a dog bite lawsuit. The owner can either negotiate a settlement or go to trial from there.
How Do I Choose A Dog Bite Lawyer?
Finding a dog bite lawyer that is knowledgeable and committed to your case is critical. While a dog bite lawsuit is less expensive than other personal injury claims, you should still look for a contingency fee dog bite lawyer. If your lawyer does not operate on a contingency basis, they will have less incentive to win the case. They are paid regardless of the outcome. If your attorney is working on a contingency basis, he or she will be as committed to winning the case and achieving the greatest compensation result as you are. If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer in Texas, consider hiring one that works on contingency, such as Texas Personal Injury Lawyers. You should also locate a dog bite attorney who is simple to contact and keeps you informed about the proceedings of your case.
How Can A Dog Bite Attorney Help?
The likelihood of receiving money for a dog bite varies based on several elements, including the type and severity of your injuries. The insurance company’s estimate of your injuries may be faulty, resulting in diminished compensation for you and your family. However, by hiring an experienced dog bite lawyer, you may have a trained eye to assess your compensation.
An attorney who specializes in dog bites can also assess the pain and suffering damages component of your settlement. Because measuring emotional trauma is difficult, this number may be disputed, which means having competent legal counsel could be quite advantageous when seeking full compensation.
Some dog owners do not have homeowners’ or renters’ insurance that covers their pets, despite the fact that this is a requirement. In cases like these, your claim may be handled in court rather than through an insurance company. This raises concerns if the pet owner has no money; however, an attorney can help you determine which path to take.
Getting Started With Texas Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation if you’ve been the victim of a dog bite, dog attack, or dog injury and are considering a lawsuit, or would like to learn more about your choices.
Many people throughout Texas have benefited from our services. This type of personal injury case is handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless you win.
It’s simple to get started by calling (888) 997-2148.