Many American homes have dogs, and yet dog bites hospitalize thousands of people annually. If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog and suffered serious injuries, a lawyer with Loncar Lyon Jenkins may be able to help you pursue compensation for your damages.
When you call in the Strong Arm, one of our team members in McAllen will be able to discuss your case with you during a free, no-obligation case review.
Seeking Medical Attention After a Dog Bite
Visiting your healthcare provider is a crucial step if you or someone in your family suffered a dog bite. You can wait to see a doctor, and this decision may not damage your case; however, it is not advisable. If you wait to seek medical attention for a serious injury, you might risk getting:
- Bacterial infections, like MRSA
- Viral infections, such as rabies
- Deepening of scars
- Other infection, decay, or risk of amputation
Loncar Lyon Jenkins represents people bitten by dogs in the McAllen area. If a dog bite harmed you or a loved one, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving McAllen, call 800-777-7777
When the Dog Owner is Responsible for Your Injuries
The owner of the dog has a duty to restrain their animal in public. According to “Lillian’s Law,” now a part of Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822, a dog owner is responsible for their dog’s behavior, especially if the dog has a history of aggressive behavior.
If a dog owner was already warned about their dog’s biting problem, they might owe you extra damages. Dog owners who know their dogs have a biting issue are to muzzle their pets and keep them on a leash.
The damage of a dog bite may potentially injure a person enough that they might need to seek extensive medical treatment, miss out on work, or even receive psychotherapy for the trauma from the attack. If the dog owner is found at fault for the dog bite accident, you may be able to hold the dog owner liable for your injuries and losses.
Damages You Can Request
In your legal settlement, you may request to receive financial compensation for the following types of damages:
- Pain and suffering: If your injuries cause you ongoing pain
- Mental and emotional anguish: If you are suffering from anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or insomnia after the incident
- Past lost wages: If you had to take time off work to recover from your injuries and missed out on tips, bonuses, vacation time, hourly pay, and other benefits
- Lost future earning potential: If your injuries were so severe that you cannot return to work and/or have to take on a lower-paying position
- Past and expected medical bills: If your injuries required surgeries, hospitalization, prescription medications, diagnostic assessments, and ongoing doctor’s visits
- Scarring and disfigurement: If the bite left a mark and changed the way you look and move
Although they are rare, there are instances in which a dog bite can be fatal. If your loved one passed away from related injuries, you can request damages for their medical bills, lost wages, funeral and burial, and your loss of companionship.
McAllen Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 800-777-7777
Loncar Lyon Jenkins Is a Contingency-Fee- Based Firm
You might face high medical costs and miss time from work after a dog bite, so you might be in a tight spot financially. We don’t want to add any stress to this situation, so our lawyers work for a contingency fee. With this payment arrangement, we:
- Give potential clients a free case review without any obligation
- Don’t charge you a dime hourly, out of pocket, or starting up
- Only take our payment if we win a settlement or judgment for you
We walk away empty-handed if we don’t obtain compensation for you. That way, there is no financial risk involved with us on your side.
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Working with a Lawyer on Our Team
When you call in the Strong Arm, we will take over all areas of your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
You can entrust us with:
- Collecting records, photos, videos, and your journal entries about your trauma related to the dog bite, as they help strengthen your account of events
- Interviewing expert witnesses and eyewitnesses about the dog bite incident
- Reviewing the at-fault party’s insurance policy
- Demonstrating that the dog owner or whoever responsible for your injuries acted negligently
- Acting as the intermediary between you and the other party’s representatives
- Analyzing the local laws when preparing your dog bite case
- Negotiating a settlement with the insurer on your behalf
- Filing all paperwork in time
- Representing you in court if negotiations don’t work out
You will not be left in the dark when you choose us for your legal representation. You can expect regular updates. We also want you to feel free to ask any questions you have about the legal process.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Limitations on Filing a Lawsuit After You Have Suffered a Dog Bite
According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, injured people or surviving family members generally have two years to file a lawsuit related to a dog bite. After two years, there is most likely no remaining legal avenue for restitution. In that case, it will be up to you to pay for your damages.
There are a number of other factors that can limit one’s ability to collect compensation after a lawsuit, so it’s important to get started early if you expect to pursue your legal rights.
What You Can do to Protect Your Rights
Dog bite cases can be complicated, and you might feel like there’s nothing you can do to help your case. On the contrary, if you take a few small steps, it can make a difference in the amount of awards you can get.
During the legal process, you can:
Continue Medical Care
Follow all the doctor’s orders until your treatment is complete—even if you think you’re fine. Otherwise, not only could your infection come back, but also, if the insurance company finds out, they might claim that you were irresponsible or that you’re not as hurt as you say you are. In turn, they might offer you a lower settlement.
Keep a Daily Journal
Your personal testimony is vital, so we can encourage you to be as specific as you can. In this journal, include details, such as:
- Your daily levels of pain
- Your mood
- What tasks you struggle with that you weren’t a problem before
- Your treatment plan, including medications and therapeutic routine
- What you remember before, during, and after the dog bite incident
If there is something else that you think is important, jot it down. With all this information, it would be difficult for the insurance company to dispute your claim.
Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins to Learn More in a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was bitten by someone else’s dog in McAllen, you may want to work with an attorney from Loncar Lyon Jenkins.
Call in the Strong Arm today at (800) 777-7777 for a free case review. Remember that we work for a contingency fee, so we don’t take any payment unless we secure a financial award for you.
Call or text 800-777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
