If you or your child was injured by a dog bite, a Lubbock dog bite lawyer from Loncar Lyon Jenkins could help. We will thoroughly investigate your claim and all possible routes for financial recovery.
Potentially Recoverable Damages in Dog Bite Claims
If you can establish that the dog owner was negligent in causing your dog bite, we may be able to help you pursue compensation for the damages you suffered. These could include:
Personal Property Damages
The attack could have caused your glasses to break. You might have also been holding personal property that fell and broke. In either of these cases, the dog owner may be responsible for paying to replace your property.
Lost Income
You may receive compensation for the time you had to take off of work for treatment or to take your child for treatment. If your injury impairs your ability to work in the future, you may be able to receive compensation for this reduced earning capacity.
Loss of Consortium
If your relationship with your spouse was affected by the attack or you suffer a lack of intimacy, you may be able to receive compensation for this loss.
Pain and Suffering
You may also be able to recover compensation for the physical pain and suffering and mental anguish you have suffered.
Scarring or Disfigurement
You could have medical expenses from treating the scarring or disfigurement the bite caused. You may also receive compensation for the emotional toll from having your appearance altered because of this type of incident.
Medical Costs (Current and Future)
You may also be able to pursue the cost of your medical expenses. Some dog bites only cause minor injuries. However, many bites break the skin and may require emergency care. Serious wounds may require surgery and ongoing care. The dog owner may be responsible for paying all your bite-related medical bills.
Medical expenses may also include any payment to mental health professionals for psychological damages caused by the attack. These damages may be especially high for children. Children may require ongoing mental health treatment after a traumatic experience.
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How Your Accident Lawyer Can Fight for Justice for You
Your lawyer can do the following for your case:
- Investigate your claim
- Request medical records for your injuries
- Contact eyewitnesses to inquire about how the dog bite occurred
- Prepare a demand package that requests payment for the extent of damages you have suffered
- Handle negotiations with the insurance company
- Make your case in court, if necessary
- Inform you of your options
- Advise you about decisions you have to make
- Update you throughout the case
- Protect your rights
- Cover court costs until you receive your award
Handling Your Case on Your Own Might Not End Well
You might think that because hiring a lawyer is not required you could take on your case yourself. However, there are risks to self-representation. These include:
- Filling out paperwork incorrectly
- Leaving money on the table
- Forgetting to take legal action before the statute of limitations ends
- Making legal missteps due to unfamiliarity with the situation
- Not having enough time to gather evidence
- Not taking a strong enough stance in negotiations with the insurance company
We can use our knowledge and experience to your benefit.
Understanding Texas Dog Bite Law
Some states have “strict liability” laws regarding dog bites. If you can show the dog bit you and caused you damages, the owner is automatically liable for the damages you suffered. This would only be the case if you did not provoke the dog.
Other states have so-called “one-bite” rules. The dog owner may not be held responsible for the first bite in these cases. If the owner was not aware of the dog’s propensity for violence, they would not be at fault. Your lawyer serving Lubbock will explain all relevant dog bite laws.
Proving Negligence in Your Dog Bite Case
Texas does not have a statute that specifically addresses dog bites. Instead, victims of dog attacks usually use legal theories that may encompass other types of accidents. These include basic negligence principles.
Like in other personal injury claims, a dog bite victim must show that the owner failed to uphold the duty of care. The victim must also display that the violation caused the victim to suffer damages.
Negligence Per Se Could Be Relevant in Your Case
However, other legal doctrines may apply. For example, the claim may be based on a theory of “negligence per se.” This means that:
- The dog owner did not follow a law
- Someone was injured because of this violation of the law
- The person who was injured is within a protected group under the law.
If the dog owner or person handling the dog did not properly restrain the dog, you might be able to pursue compensation for the injuries you or your loved one suffered.
877-239-4878Available 24/7 | 356 Days | se habla español
How Attacks By Dangerous Dogs Occur
In some dog bite cases, you may have a right to receive compensation because the dog owner violated the Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.005. According to this law, a dangerous dog has attacked a person in an unprovoked manner. In this case, the person would not have been within the dog’s enclosure.
Owners of dangerous dogs have additional responsibilities to keep others around them safe, including registering the dog and adhering to additional city or municipality regulations.
Examples of Dog Bite Cases That Could Resemble Yours
Dogs in certain circumstances may be more likely to bite, such as those that are:
- Trained for home protection purposes
- Involved in dog-fighting
- Eating or sleeping
- Sick or injured
- Caring for puppies or nursing
- Playing with a bone or toy
- Growling or barking
Our city is no stranger to animal attacks. EverythingLubbock.com reported on a dog bite involving two animals that got loose and bit a man. The victim was on his morning jog in Dupree Park. If you sustained an injury in a similar situation, we are here for you.
Things to Remember About Dog Bite Cases
Every year, approximately 4.5 million dog bite injuries occur, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Of these, approximately 800,000 require medical attention. Unsuspecting children are often the victim of such attacks. Victims may suffer severe injuries, scarring, disfigurement, and a lifelong fear of dogs.
Protect Your Claim
After the accident, save any damaged or stained clothing. This can serve as evidence in your case. You should also try to take pictures of your injuries and keep a journal detailing your recovery.
Understandably, you would want to inform your family and friends of what happened. However, doing so on social media might put your case at risk. The other party’s legal team and the insurance company might pull quotes from your posts. Your words out of context might make it sound like you were responsible for the bite.
Contact Us to Get Started on Your Claim
If a dog bit you or your loved one, you must take immediate steps to protect your legal rights. Loncar Lyon Jenkins’s lawyers can help identify the Lubbock dog owner’s responsibility and fight for damages.
Call us today at (877) 239-4878 for a free and confidential consultation. We can also help pedestrian accident and car accident victims.
