Texas has very strict laws holding dog owners liable for damages caused by their pets. So, if a dog in Houston bit you or someone you love, you might be eligible for compensation from its owner.
A Houston dog bite lawyer at Loncar Lyon Jenkins can help collect the evidence needed to show that the dog’s owner is responsible for the injuries caused by the bite. Then, we can put together a case on your behalf and pursue the compensation you may qualify to receive. We work on a no-win-no-fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only when you get paid for your injury.
Types of Compensation Available for Dog Bite Injuries
A dog bite injury can lead to serious medical complications and require extensive care, even if the dog is not large or powerful. Therefore, when we conduct your free case evaluation, we will look at your medical bills and other documents associated with your injury.
Next, we will tabulate the full slate of damages you have incurred – including those that cannot be quantified in dollar terms, such as pain and suffering.
You may be eligible for a settlement or award that compensates you for the following and more:
- Current and anticipated medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, and inconvenience
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
If a dog bit your loved one and your family member succumbed to their injuries, you can request compensation for their losses. These could include medical expenses, burial and funeral expenses, and your loss of companionship.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Houston, call 877-239-4878
How Our Lawyers Can Help You After You Suffered a Dog Bite in Houston
When you get an initial consultation, we will ask you questions about what happened and what evidence you have collected. Then, we can help you understand your legal options. In addition, if you decide to work with our firm, we will be your legal representation and counsel throughout your dog bite case.
We can likely estimate how much you can get in compensation after your dog bite incident.
We can serve you and your family on a no-win, no-fee structure, meaning there are no upfront or hourly fees when you hire our dog bite lawyers. We will only take our fee, if and when, we secure a financial outcome for you.
While working on this payment plan, we can:
- Keep you posted on changes in your case
- Review the other party’s insurance policy
- Collect evidence, such as witness statements, photos, and medical records
- Prove liability
- Manage communication
- Negotiate a settlement
- Comply with state deadlines
- Take your case to court if need be
We want you to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about the legal process or any of our services.
Houston Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 877-239-4878
Liability for Dog Bites in Texas
Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.001 is strict regarding dog owners and their rights and responsibilities. A dog owner whose animal bites or attacks another person is financially liable for the injuries that may result. In addition, a dog owner may be guilty of a crime in certain situations involving a bite by their animal.
Dog Bites Might Count as a Criminal Offense
In Texas, it is a crime for a dog owner to intentionally set loose an aggressive animal on a person to injure them. It is also a criminal offense to allow a dog you know has aggressive tendencies to roam free without supervision or restraint.
If a dog bit you in either of these scenarios, the owner is likely guilty of a criminal offense. While a criminal charge or conviction against the owner will not result in money in your pocket, it will make it easier for us to pursue a civil action against them, as the evidence bar is much higher in criminal court than in civil court.
We Can Pursue Damages Even If It Was Not a Criminal Offense
Even if the owner is not guilty of a criminal offense and does not face charges, we may still hold them liable for your injuries in a dog bite situation. The exception would involve you breaking into the owner’s house or actively carrying out a crime against the owner.
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Common Situations That Call for Filing a Dog Bite Case
Dog bites can transpire for different reasons, but the following situations are commonplace for these types of cases:
The Dog Has a Documented History of Aggressive Behavior
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that if the dog that bit you has bitten others in the past, we can hold the owner liable – no matter the circumstances of your case.
Even if you approached the dog to pet it in public without the owner’s permission, we could still hold them liable for your injuries. Ultimately, it is their responsibility to protect others from a dog with known aggressive tendencies.
The Dog Was Not Properly Restrained and Supervised
In Houston, dogs are not permitted to run “at large,” per Sec. 6-101. A dog may roam free on its owner’s property as long as the dog does not have access to a sidewalk, street, or common area of a residential building (e.g., an apartment building). This also means that while walking the dog in public, the owner must have the animal on a leash.
There are a few notable exceptions to the leash rule, like dog parks. In such areas where a section of land is cordoned off for dogs to roam free, they may do so. However, that does not remove the owner’s liability to supervise their animal and ensure it does not hurt anyone.
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What to Do After a Dog Bite Injury
After a dog bites you, Mayo Clinic instructs injured parties to wash the infected area with soap and water and apply antibacterial cream. If the bite punctured the skin, seek prompt medical attention. When the injury is left untreated and starts swelling or oozing, that might indicate an infection, like rabies.
Getting medical treatment is crucial. It ensures that you are healthy and addresses your needs. The documentation of the doctor’s visit can also link your injuries to the incident, though.
Take pictures of your injuries as well as a source of documentation. Pictures can show what the injury looked like initially and how it got worse over time.
Medical professionals can give you recommendations about how to best care for a dog bite injury. For example, a doctor might have you take an antibiotic to prevent any infection and can advise you if you should be treated for rabies as a precaution.
Risk for Rabies:
As noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most incidents of rabies in the United States are not the result of dog bites. However, dog bites used to be a common source of rabies.
It can be good to find out if the dog that bit you had up-to-date vaccinations and follow up with any preventative treatment. Remember, your safety and health are the priority.
Long-Term Care
Whether or not you need long-term care will depend on where you got bit and the severity of your injuries. For example, if the dog bit your hand, you might have to go through occupational therapy to help you get back to normal levels of hand movements.
You should follow up with medical professionals after a dog bite incident.
The Statute of Limitations in Dog Bite Cases
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations on dog bite injury lawsuits. However, the time you have to take legal action may vary based on the unique circumstances of your case. Therefore, it is helpful to get legal help early so that you do not miss any deadlines.
A dog bite attorney in Houston can inform you of your rights and obligations and take quick action. But first, you must let us know about your dog bite case as soon as possible. Failure to file on time could keep you from collecting any compensation.
We Help Our Clients from Start to Finish
We are proud to help our clients in all sorts of personal injury cases, including dog bite incidents. We want you to focus on healing from your emotional and physical trauma. Here is what just a few of our clients have had to say after working with our law firm:
“They were professional, responsive, and definitely got the ball rolling with my case when my insurance continued to drag their feet. I was able to receive physical therapy, an MRI, and ex-ray at no cost thanks to Loncar. I was also very pleased with the outcome of my case.” ~N.D.
“Tony got me way more than I expected. He and everyone in the office were very polite. I was literally speechless when he presented the settlement amount to me. He is a busy man and responded to my every inquiry in a timely manner. Thank you Tony!” ~N.S.
“Hopefully I will never need to use them again, however if I do, I absolutely will use them again. It was a pleasure being a client. ~B.T.
Call in the Strong Arm for a Free Case Evaluation Today
A Houston dog bite lawyer at Loncar Lyon Jenkins is ready to get to work for you today. We can help you recover compensation based on the facts of your case. You do not owe us a fee unless we secure a fair settlement on your behalf.
For a free consultation, contact our law firm today. You pay no attorney’s fee unless we obtain a financial outcome for you.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
