While it can be easy to forget, dogs are wild animals at heart. When their instincts kick in, the burden of responsibility falls on their owners to prevent the animals from harming people around them. While dogs cannot be held accountable in a courtroom, there may be multiple parties to blame for dog attacks, including the property owners.
Our attorneys treat every claim on a case-by-case basis so that we can look objectively at how the events occurred. In doing so, we hope to gather the evidence necessary to prove your claim and get you the compensation you may be entitled to collect.
What You Can Expect From Our Texas Law Firm
Our firm has served countless dog bite injury claimants over the years. We have seen firsthand the damage that these incidents can cause. Our team has recovered millions for our clients.
Here are some of the ways in which our firm can serve you:
We Can Pursue Financial Recovery for Your Losses
The real cost of dog bite attacks can affect virtually every aspect of a person’s life, from their physical and mental health to their financial well-being and beyond. Victims are entitled to compensation when they have been injured due to another party’s negligence. Dog bite accidents are no different.
Compensable losses in your case could comprise:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
We can pursue other losses, depending on the severity of your injuries.
We Can Calculate the Value of Your Losses
In addition to seeking the damages we listed above, we can also calculate their values. The following factors will determine the value of your case:
- Your expected recovery period
- Your daily pain levels and the nature of your condition
- Your mental health, like if you developed anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Your quality of life
- The cost of your medical bills and other economic losses
We will leave nothing unaccounted for when we calculate your claim’s value.
We Can File Your Case Within the Appropriate Deadline
We know firsthand that most personal injury cases are settled outside of court. If not, however, you must file your lawsuit within two years of getting injured, per Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Failure to file your lawsuit on time could mean:
- Losing the right to file a lawsuit
- Paying for your losses out of pocket
- Being unable to hold the negligent party accountable
If you contact our team in a timely manner, we can file your case within the state’s time frame.
We Can Determine how State and Local Laws Apply to Your Case
Our goal is to prove that another party acted negligently by breaching their duty of care. What does that mean, though? Basically, it means that the other party acted outside of what a reasonable person would do in the same situation.
So, suppose you were visiting a friend who owned five dogs. Per Odessa’s website, you cannot have more than four animals total. If you were injured by one of these animals, we could argue that because the other party had too many animals, they were unable to control them, and you were injured.
We Can File Your Claim or Lawsuit
We are prepared to handle whichever route your case takes. To manage your insurance claim, we will:
- File its paperwork
- Communicate with the insurer
- Send your demand letter, outlining the cost of your damages
- Identify the liable party
- Determine the liable policy
While handling your lawsuit, we will:
- File it to the appropriate court system
- Exchange information with the other party’s legal counsel
- Guide you through the depositions process
- Advise you on what statements could help your case
- Present your case’s evidence to the overseeing judge or jury
- Argue for your right to compensation
Rest assured that your dog bite lawyer in Odessa will do everything in their power to resolve your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Dog Bite lawyer serving Odessa, call 877-239-4878
Steps to Take After an Aggressive Dog Bites You
Your case begins from the moment the dog bites you, not when you hire a lawyer. Here are some considerations while you research your legal options:
Seek Medical Attention
Dog bites are complicated (as with many animal attacks) because there is the possibility of secondary complications beyond the initial wounds, according to Healthline.
You should visit a doctor if you suffered these and other injuries:
- Torn ligaments or tendons
- Flesh wounds, which may require reconstructive surgery
- Broken or fractured bones
- Injuries to soft tissues, like the nose, ears, lips, or eyes
- Neck injuries, which can present issues with breathing or cause serious complications with arteries
- Injuries to the hands, arms, feet, and legs, which may require amputation if they are serious enough
- Infections, such as rabies and other bacterial infections
Visiting a healthcare professional both addresses your condition and gives information to support your claim.
Visit a Mental Health Counselor
Beyond the physical complications, experiencing a dog bite could result in severe mental anguish due to the magnitude and intensity of the accident. It is not uncommon for victims of severe dog attacks to develop depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can linger for years, even after one’s physical injuries have healed.
Not only could visiting a therapist improve your mental health, but they could also testify to the nature of your accident and its impact on your well-being. You could even receive compensation to account for those hardships.
Refer the Claims Adjuster to Your Lawyer in Odessa
The liable insurer will want to settle your case as soon as possible. They may ask you to give a recorded statement or additional information about your situation. Instead of consenting to these demands, tell them to talk to your lawyer. We can give the insurer all the information they need and prevent them from taking advantage of you.
Odessa Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me 877-239-4878
Commonly Asked Questions About Dog Bite Injury Cases in Odessa
Here are three questions that we’ve received from clients in your situation:
Are Certain Dog Breeds Outlawed in Odessa?
Odessa does not have any laws on the books about prohibited dog breeds. The only towns in Texas that prohibit dog breeds are Childress, Forest Hill, Garland, and Magnolia.
Truthfully, it doesn’t matter what type of dog bit you. You could still seek damages if you were injured due to an aggressive animal.
Who Could Be Liable for Your Losses?
The dog’s owner could be liable for your losses. You could argue that because they could not control their animal, you were hurt, and they should pay for your losses. But what if the dog didn’t have an animal?
According to News West 9, Odessa is seeing a huge increase in “dumping,” meaning people who abandon their animals. Who holds liability if a stray dog bites you? Our team can answer this question after reviewing the circumstances of your case.
How much is your case worth?
After evaluating the cost of your damages, the severity of your injuries, and your overall situation, we can provide a personalized answer as to the value of your case.
Contact our Odessa Dog Bite Attorneys today
We are Ready to Listen to Your Story
Here at Loncar Lyon Jenkins, our dog bite lawyers in Odessa are standing by to serve you. To learn more about how we may fight for your right to compensation, call (877) 239-4878.
Call or text 877-239-4878 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
