If a dog bit you or a loved one in Irving, TX, you may be entitled to compensation.
Texas is a state that retains the traditional one-bite rule, meaning that the animal’s owner may not be automatically liable to provide compensation for your losses. Even so, it is possible to collect this compensation if you can show that a dog’s owner knew about the animal’s dangerous nature. A dog bite lawyer with our firm can help you prove their liability.
Collecting Compensation Following a Dog Bite in Irving, TX
State law requires dog owners to keep their animals under control. However, this requirement balances with the state’s one-bite law to limit the liability of owners after an attack.
To prevail in a dog bite case, a lawyer from our firm will need to show that the owner knew or should have known about the animal’s dangerous nature before the attack. If we can prove this, the owners and other parties may be liable for all resulting damages.
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Possible Forms of Recoverable Compensation in a Dog Bite Case
Once we can show that a dog owner is liable under state law for an animal attack, that owner is liable to provide fair compensation for your losses. However, we must also demonstrate how that incident resulted in your injuries.
Medical Bills Related to the Attack
Dog bites can cause serious injuries. A dog’s owner is liable for the costs of all medical treatment connected to the attack. Compensable damages might include:
- Emergency medical care
- Transportation to the hospital
- Treatment for infections
- Prescription medications
- Assistive devices
- Physical therapy
- Reconstructive surgery
- Counseling
A dog bite lawyer from our firm can take the lead in gathering the documentation necessary to establish your medical expenses.
Lost Income
Some dog bites require significant time for a person to physically recover. The time you needed to take off work can include time spent at home while in pain or sessions with a physical therapist to regain range of motion or functionality.
Regardless of the exact circumstances, people who miss work because of a dog bite can demand compensation for this lost income.
A Reduction in Your Quality of Life
Dog bites can affect a person’s life in many ways. Some of these events can result in significant lost quality of life due to:
- Pain and suffering
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- A fear of dogs
While non-economic damages can be difficult to measure, an attorney on our team could help you place a dollar value on these impacts and seek fair compensation from liable dog owners.
You Pay no Upfront Fees for Our Help
People often decide against getting legal help because they think they can’t afford it. However, we only take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means no retainers, no upfront fees, and no out-of-pocket costs. We only recover attorney’s fees if you recover compensation.
If your case is not successful, you do not pay us for our time. We also offer free consultations, meaning that you face no financial risk when you call us.
877-239-4878Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
How the One-Bite Law Could Affect Liability in Your Irving Dog Bite Case
The traditional one-bite rule meant that owners of animals involved in attacks could avoid liability if they could show that they had no reason to suspect that the animal would attack another person.
Under this law, the injured person bears the burden of proving that a dog’s owner knew or should have known about the dog’s violent behavior before the attack occurred. A dog bite lawyer from our firm can take the lead in gathering this evidence. This evidence may include:
- A prior recorded attack against another animal or person
- A government ruling that the animal is dangerous, such as under Irving Municipal Code §6-30.1
These laws can be complex, but understanding the one-bite rule and how it interacts with local animal ordinances is vital when demanding compensation following a dog attack. Our team will be able to explain the applicable laws to you.
Identifying Every Party Liable for Your Dog Bite
The dog owner is almost always financially responsible for any injuries their dog causes. However, it may also be possible to hold other parties liable for these incidents. These parties include:
- Groomers
- Dog walkers
- Landlords
Possible Sources of Compensation
One possible source of compensation is a homeowner’s insurance policy. These policies may pay compensation to the victims of dog bites if they cover the animal in question.
In other cases, you may be able to recover compensation from a tenant’s renters insurance or an apartment complex’s business insurance.
An attorney from our firm can help hold every possible party responsible for your losses.
State Law Limits how Long You Have After a Dog Bite to Demand Compensation
Just as important as proving fault for a dog bite is acting within the applicable time limits. The state law called the statute of limitations places a time limit on all demands for compensation after dog bites.
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, this time limit is two years from the date of the incident. Acting quickly can help an attorney to meet this essential deadline.
Call in the Strong Arm Attorneys Today
A dog bite lawyer on our team wants to help you prove these concepts in and out of court. The legal team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins is ready to provide a free consultation to explain the concept of dog bite laws in Irving and how they affect your case.
We can then take the lead to gather evidence, measure your losses, build your case, negotiate with insurers, and demand appropriate compensation. Give us a call today to get started, and Call in the Strong Arm to help you.
