While dogs have earned the reputation of “man’s best friend,” the unfortunate reality is that dog bites are a dangerous and common safety risk in Plano. These injuries have the potential to bring life-altering consequences. In addition to emergency medical treatment, you could require ongoing medical care for years. In some cases, a dog attack could be fatal.
If you suffered a dog bite, the owner of the animal could face civil liability for your injuries. Pursuing a lawsuit could result in monetary compensation. Thankfully, a Plano dog bite lawyer at Loncar Lyon Jenkins is here to help.
Compensation You Could Seek After a Dog Bite
You should know that if someone’s dog bit you and caused you injuries, you may be able to seek several forms of compensation. Typically, your compensation will vary based on the severity of your injuries and the costs of your losses. However, we can help you determine what your case may be worth.
We can factor in these losses when we consider your case value:
- Medical costs, such as prescription medication, hospitalization, surgery, medical appointments, physical therapy, emergency treatment, and more
- Pain and suffering, which could reflect the emotional and physical toll your injuries have taken on your life
- Lost income, if you missed days at work due to your injuries
- Loss of consortium, if you lost a loved one due to dog bite injuries
- And other losses
You don’t have to try to determine what your case could be worth—we can do this for you. You may be able to seek more than you realize, and we can help demonstrate that you suffered a range of costs and losses.
The Statute of Limitations as it Pertains to Your Case
We recommend getting started on your case as soon as possible. In Texas, you only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003. By starting your case early, you can protect your legal options moving forward.
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How Texas’ “One-Bite Rule” Could Apply to Your Case
Each state takes a different approach to determine liability for a dog bite. Texas has adopted an approach known as the “one-bite rule.” This means that if a dog has bitten before, it may be very easy to move forward and hold the owner liable. However, if this is the first time a dog has bitten someone, we may have to take more steps to demonstrate that the animal was vicious.
Meeting the standard of the one-bite rule can be challenging. It is not enough for a victim to merely establish they were injured by a dog and identify its owner. Instead, we may need to show that the dog owner was negligent in allowing an animal they knew to be dangerous to injure another person.
Establishing that the dog was dangerous is only the first step in proving liability. We can help you understand what needs to be demonstrated in order to move forward with a dog bite injury case. Your Plano dog bite lawyer can work to establish all necessary evidence to show that the owner should be held liable for your injuries.
We’re Prepared to Challenge the Owner’s Possible Defenses to a Dog Bite Lawsuit
Not only are there unique challenges for the plaintiff in a dog bite lawsuit, but there are also defenses that are available to the defendant in these cases. If the jury accepts any of these defenses, it could result in a denial of the plaintiff’s claim.
One common defense raised in these cases is the lack of knowledge that their animal was dangerous. Additionally, there are situations where no amount of negligence on the dog owner’s part will result in a successful case. Specifically, a trespasser who committed a crime on the dog owner’s property does not have the right to pursue a case for compensation.
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What to Do Immediately after a Dog Bite to Help Your Case
The steps you take following a serious dog bite could impact more than just your health. If you act quickly, you could also protect your legal rights following a dog attack. The following steps could improve your chances of recovering from your injuries and seeking the compensation you may deserve.
- Wash the wound. By quickly washing the wound with soap and warm water, you could dramatically reduce the chances of infection. It is best to spend between five and ten minutes rinsing the affected area.
- Bandage. Once clean, the next important first-aid steps involve the application of antibiotic cream and bandages.
- Identify the owner. If possible, it is in your best interest to identify the owner of the dog as soon as possible. If you are unable to do so, you could be out of luck in pursuing a case for compensation.
- Document the attack. Take down as much evidence as possible related to the dog attack. Take photos of the dog if it is possible to do so safely. If there are independent witnesses, obtain their contact information. An independent witness could confirm that you were not trespassing and did not provoke the animal.
- Contact the authorities. If a dog was aggressive enough to attack you, it is likely aggressive enough to bite someone else. Contact animal control to ensure the animal is unable to hurt anyone else.
When it comes to important steps following a dog attack, few are more important than contacting a law firm. We could advocate for you throughout every step of the process. The team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins understands the pain and frustration these injuries can bring, and we are prepared to fight for the monetary damages that will make you whole again.
Fight for Compensation with the Strong Arm Attorneys
If you are dealing with the consequences of a dog attack, remember that a successful case for monetary compensation could be possible. Recovering compensation for these cases can be challenging, especially if you attempt to pursue the process on your own.
The attorneys of Loncar Lyon Jenkins will fight relentlessly for you. We understand how to establish negligence in these cases, and we can use our experience to seek a just settlement for you. To learn more about how a Plano dog bite lawyer from our firm can help, call today for a free consultation.
