A Dallas dog bite lawyer can further clarify how dog bite cases differ from other types of personal injury cases and the impact of these distinctions on your case. Your personal injury lawyer will investigate the incident, compile evidence, and deal with the insurance company and adjuster on your behalf. Your lawyer will fight to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

The “One Bite Rule” in Texas Dog Bite Cases

While Texas has no statute specific to dog attacks, former cases have set a “one bite rule” precedent. This means if the dog that attacked you previously attacked or bit someone else, the dog’s owner is strictly liable for your dog bite injuries. In these cases, you do not have to prove negligence to seek compensation via an insurance claim or dog bite lawsuit.

However, if the dog has never bitten anyone else before, you may be required to prove the owner’s negligence to recover financial compensation. For example, if they let the dog roam free in an area where leashes are required or did not attempt to stop the dog from attacking you, those situations may qualify as negligence.

Dog Bite Cases Typically Involve Homeowners’ or Renters’ Insurance Policies

Personal injury cases like car accidents involve seeking damages from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Your dog bite case differs because it typically involves seeking compensation from the dog owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy. Understanding how insurance works in dog bite cases is crucial to recovering damages.

It can be hard to know which insurance company to pursue on your own. A dog bite lawyer can investigate the responsible party and identify the appropriate insurer. Your attorney will communicate with the insurer on your behalf, including submitting required claim forms and supporting evidence. They will also build the strongest possible case and negotiate for a favorable settlement. 

Homeowners’ Policies May Disclaim Coverage Based on the Dog Breed

Some homeowners ‘ insurance policies could exclude certain breeds of dogs—pit bulls, for example. If this is the case with the animal involved in your dog bite claim, you could still have compensation options available. For example, you could sue the owner directly for damages. 

Without appropriate homeowners’ insurance in place, it can be hard to know what to do if a dog bites you or a family member. The lawyer you choose will describe all your financial recovery options. Your dog bite attorney can deal with the insurance company and adjuster for you, including examining all potentially applicable insurance policies in detail.

Proportionate Responsibility Could Play a Role In Your Financial Recovery After a Dog Bite

As part of their defense strategy, the animal’s owner may allege that you provoked the dog. In this case, Texas’ proportionate responsibility law (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001) could affect your financial recovery. 

If the insurance company or court deems you partially at fault for the dog attack, it may reduce the amount of compensation you receive by the percentage of fault assigned to you. If you are 51% or more at fault, you will not be eligible for any compensation. 

Your dog attack lawyer can help you prove you did not contribute to the incident and fight for a fair distribution of fault and the best possible financial award.

The Role and Weight of Evidence in Your Dog Bite Case

While you may or may not need to prove negligence, the evidence in your case is key for proving the monetary value of your case. The evidence that supports the monetary value of your case can include:

• Medical expenses, including therapy and rehab bills
• A written prognosis describing future medical needs
• Employment and salary history records
• Repair or replacement receipts for damaged property 

Your legal team will gather evidence and submit it to the insurance company on your behalf. 

Recoverable Economic Damages for Dog Bite Victims

The owner of the dog that bit you is often liable for compensating you. A personal injury lawyer can assess your case and assign it an accurate value. A settlement for a dog bite in Texas typically includes:

• Known and anticipated medical treatment
• Known and anticipated losses of income
• Loss of the ability to earn in the future
• Property damage, loss, or diminishment
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering

The physical and psychological trauma of a dog bite or attack can leave you with emotional trauma that leads to a loss of enjoyment of life. This, too, is a recoverable damage. Your personal injury lawyer will establish the monetary value of this and other non-economic damages.

Recoverable Wrongful Death Damages for the Families of Dog Bite Victims

If you lost a loved one in a dog attack, the dog’s owner could be liable for:

• Your loved one’s funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of your loved one’s financial and domestic support
• Loss of consortium, companionship, and guidance

Filing Deadlines for Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Texas

The statute of limitations for dog bite lawsuits and other types of personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits is generally two years, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. If the injured party was a minor, the time limit to take legal action can vary.

The statutory clock starts running on the date of the incident, meaning the sooner you seek legal support and guidance, the better. When your lawyer gets involved in your case, the more time they have to collect and preserve evidence. Early intervention also means they can speak to witnesses while their memories are fresh. 

Learn More About Your Texas Dog Bite Case With a Free Review

A dog bite case primarily differs from other types of personal injury cases because of strict liability versus negligence laws. Learn more about strict liability laws, your rights as an injury victim, and the dog owner’s financial liability by contacting our consultation team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins today.

The post How Does a Dog Bite Case Differ From Other Types of Personal Injury Cases? appeared first on Loncar Lyon Jenkins.

If you are the victim of a dog bite and need to file a personal injury claim, you may want to consult a dog bite lawyer in Dallas, Texas, before speaking with the insurance company. An attorney can assess your damages to determine what your case is worth, then fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.

How do Damages Determine a Settlement in a Dog Bite Case?

Regardless of the state’s average settlement for dog bite claims, there is no set formula for determining how much a claim is worth. Each case is unique and needs to be handled as such.

When assessing your claim, your attorney will investigate how the dog bite affected your life and calculate the total damages accordingly. Damages you may be entitled to claim include:

Medical Costs

The more severe your injuries are, the more medical costs you accumulate. Common medical expenses include:

•  An emergency room visit
• Surgical care
• Rehabilitation or physical therapy
• Follow-up visits
• Pain medicine
• Medical devices

Since medical costs are calculable damages, you will need to keep all of your medical reports, receipts, and invoices. Your attorney will use these documents to add up these expenses and prove them in your claim.

Time Off Work

You may have to take time off from work to recover from your dog bite injuries. If so, you can claim work-related damages, such as loss of:

• Pay
• Benefits or insurance
• Bonuses
• Tips
• Earning capacity

Your employer can confirm the amount of income and benefits you lost during your recovery time. Then, your lawyer can work with your employer to calculate these damages and add them to your claim.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering is a legal term for the emotional or physical stress you experience during recovery. Although these damages are not calculable, your attorney can assign a value to them and recommend a dollar amount on your claim. Some examples of pain and suffering include:

• Chronic severe pain
• Emotional trauma
• Limited activity
• Poor quality of life
• Scarring or disability
• Loss of consortium

Pain and suffering refers to how the dog bite negatively impacted your life, both temporarily and permanently.

Punitive Damages

If your attorney files a lawsuit against the at-fault party, a jury may award punitive damages as a part of your dog bite claim. However, these are rare and only awarded if the jury finds that the liable party committed gross negligence, careless actions, or intentional actions against you.

These damages are not a part of your original claim. Instead, the jury awards them to make an example of the defendant, such as deterring other dog owners from committing the same act.

How does Comparative Negligence Factor into a Dog Bite Case?

Texas is a comparative negligence state, according to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 33.001. This means that if you are found partially at fault for your injury, you can still receive compensation, but the jury may reduce the amount you can recover. In Texas, this type of comparative negligence is referred to as proportionate responsibility or contributory fault.

Some examples of when comparative negligence may apply in a dog bite case include:

• You trespassed on someone’s property.
• You provoked the dog to bite you.
• You tried to break up a fight between your dog and the other party’s dog.
• You ignored signs or verbal warnings to stay away from the dog.

In each instance, your actions triggered a dog bite. As a result, the damages you can receive will fall a certain percentage depending on the assigned percentage of fault.

How a Dog Bite Attorney in Texas Can Help

You may feel that you have a clear-cut case. However, the dog owner may challenge your claim, or the insurance company could reject it or lowball you on the settlement. Either way, you may find yourself in a complicated legal battle, feeling that your rights have been violated.

A dog bite attorney can navigate these and other legal issues you may encounter while seeking damages. For example, your attorney can:

• Investigate the accident
• Process all paperwork
• Build your case
• Fight for a fair settlement on your behalf

They can also guide you through the claims process and help you avoid mistakes that could hurt your case.

Get a Free Evaluation of Your Dog Bite Claim

Before you contact the insurance company, call our law firm first. Our team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins can answer your questions and start your dog bite claim right away.

We can handle your case behind the scenes while you recover from your injuries.. Call +1 214 747 0422 to get a free case evaluation from a dog bite lawyer in Dallas, TX.

The post What Is the Average Settlement for a Dog Bite in Texas? appeared first on Loncar Lyon Jenkins.

Dog bites can be serious, causing significant injuries and disfiguration that can last for the rest of the victim’s life and add up to massive medical bills. Insurance companies tend to defend against these claims aggressively, and some policies deny coverage for dog bites. Let’s explore some of the factors that can go into the resolution of these cases.

Does the Amount of My Dog Bite Injury Claim Affect the Likelihood of a Settlement?

Yes. When there is a lot of money on the line, many insurance companies try to delay settling to hang onto the money as long as possible, which can prompt a lawsuit. In cases that involve small to medium dollar amounts and there is clear liability, the claim might settle in a matter of months. Other cases could take much longer.

Can I Settle My Dog Bite Claim Before I Complete My Medical Treatment?

The law does not force you to wait until your doctor releases you from treatment before you settle your dog bite claim, but you might want to consider doing so. When you settle a lawsuit, you must sign multiple documents, including a waiver of all future claims against the defendant and his insurance company for the dog bite incident.

If you settle too early, you might not get as much compensation as you deserve. If you find out later that you need additional medical procedures, like surgery, to treat your wounds, the defendant and insurer will not pay those bills. Also, be careful that you do not wait too long to take legal action if your case does not settle because the statute of limitations could destroy your entire claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit if My Dog Bite Claim Does Not Settle?

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 gives you only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for the harm you suffered from a dog bite or a wrongful death if your close relative died from a dog attack. This time can pass quickly when you are dealing with your injuries or the death of a loved one.

Negotiating with the defendant or insurance company does not extend the time limit. You must file a lawsuit in court before the two-year limit expires. You do not want to risk losing your ability to file by not taking timely action.

What Kinds of Money Damages Can I Pursue for Dog Bite Injuries?

Every dog bite case is different, so the damages you pursue will depend on the facts of your case. You might be able to seek money damages for:

• Medical expenses to treat your wounds. Your initial emergency treatment can be a part of your injury claim, as well as any necessary follow-up medical care like plastic surgery and skin grafts.
• Pain management and physical therapy can be ongoing treatments that a person needs after getting attacked by a dog.
• Dog bites can be painful and terrifying. People often seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress they endured in the form of pain and suffering damages.
• Disfigurement from the extensive and jagged scars a dog attack can cause can be a part of the injury claim.
• Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after getting mauled by an animal. They might be too afraid to enjoy public spaces like parks or beaches or to experience the joy of owning a pet of their own.

We might be able to pursue additional compensation for the legal beneficiaries if your close relative died from a dog bite attack.

What Do I Have to Prove to Hold Someone Liable for My Dog Bite Injuries?

Texas does not have a specific dog bite statute that defines a dog owner’s liability when their animal bites or injures someone else. Our courts usually follow the “one bite” rule, which means that the owner generally is only liable to the injured party if at least one of these things is true:

• The injury happened because the dog owner did not use reasonable care to prevent the attack or control the animal,
• The dog had bitten someone in the past, or
• The owner had reason to believe that the dog was aggressive or dangerous.

Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins Today for a Free Consultation with a Team Member

You do not have to deal with the defendant or his insurance company on your own. You can call in the Strong Arm of Loncar Lyon Jenkins to handle your case. We can also help injured parties or loved ones who’ve lost someone.

You can call us today at (877) 239-4878 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

The post Will My Dog Bite Case Settle Out of Court? appeared first on Loncar Lyon Jenkins.

It is important to keep an eye on the area of the wound for several days afterward. Even if you do not seek medical care immediately after the accident, you may find that you need care later.

Infections Can Lead to Complications after a Dog Bite

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the most serious health concern after a dog bite is the possibility of infection. Because of this possibility, victims of a dog bite need to seek medical attention or receive first aid as soon as possible.

If the dog bite breaks the skin, Cleveland Clinic recommends seeing a doctor within eight hours of the bite to minimize the risk of infection. The sooner doctors are able to begin treating the potential infection, the better chance the victim has at a full recovery. Documenting any of your injuries will also be important if you later choose to pursue legal action.

Dangerous Types of Dog Bite Infections

Even with a bite that barely breaks the skin, an infection can occur. Rabies is one possible cause of illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), another potential cause of serious infection after a dog bite could include Capnocytophaga.

• Capnocytophaga: This type of infection comes from bacteria found in the mouths of many animals, including dogs. Victims will notice fever, vomiting, blisters, and swelling around the wound—often within hours of the bite.
• Rabies: If a dog infected with the rabies virus bites you, you could contract rabies. Symptoms of rabies include headache, confusion, and fever. Symptoms typically begin at a mild level, but rabies typically becomes life-threatening.

Doctors may be able to treat dog bite infections successfully if they diagnose them early enough.

Seeking a Personal Injury Settlement after a Dog Bite

If another person’s dog bites you, we can work to help you seek a settlement for your medical bills, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and reduction in quality of life. If a dog bite led to the loss of your loved one, we can help you seek compensation for their wrongful death.

According to the City of Dallas, people who allow unsecured dogs to bite and injure someone could face criminal charges. We can use this criminal charge as a key piece of evidence in helping you seek a settlement.

Keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit in the event that a lawsuit is necessary for a just settlement. For this reason, we recommend beginning your case as early as possible to protect your legal rights.

How Do You Determine the Severity of a Dog Bite?

In the immediate aftermath of a dog bite, you may need emergency medical care for your wounds. Sometimes, though, people may just choose to return home, believing that the injuries are not all that serious.

A dog bite may be considered serious if basic first aid is not stopping the bleeding or if the cut appears to be deep enough to warrant stitches. Emergency care is a smart idea, no matter how severe the bite seems to be, however.

Even if you do not seek emergency care, you should see your primary physician within a couple of days if you believe an infection is possible.

Common Injuries after a Dog Bite That You Can Include in a Personal Injury Claim

If you are going to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit after your dog bite injury, we may be able to seek a larger settlement for you if your injuries are especially severe. These injuries may leave you with permanent disfiguring, ongoing pain, or emotional trauma. However, you might be able to seek a settlement even for injuries that seem moderate. We can assess your potential case value on your behalf.

Beyond infections, some of the most severe injuries we see after a dog bite attack include:

• Facial trauma: If a dog bites the victim in the face, even a small bite can lead to scarring and disfigurement.
• Significant bleeding: Some dog bites that result in deep wounds can cause bleeding that will not stop without stitches or even surgery.
• Crushing injuries: If a large dog grabs your leg or arm in its jaws, it could cause a crushing of tendons, bones, and blood vessels, leading to lingering injuries or amputation.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder: After a dog attack, some people will have trauma related to the attack that leaves them suffering from repeated nightmares or from a significant fear of dogs that reduces their quality of life.

If We Do Not Win a Settlement for You, We Do Not Receive Payment

When you hire the team at Loncar Lyon Jenkins to represent you, we will not add to the stress of your financial situation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we do not require payment ahead of time. Instead, our fee comes from the final settlement amount in the case.

If we do not win a settlement for you, you do not owe us anything. Call us today for a free case review.

The post How Do You Know If a Dog Bite Is Serious? appeared first on Loncar Lyon Jenkins.

Dog bites range in severity. While some bites do not require medical treatment, it is a good idea to get your injury checked out immediately after being bitten. This is because the dog could have been carrying rabies, which could potentially transfer to you.

Seek Treatment for a Dog Bite Immediately

Dog bites, especially those that puncture the skin, are not only painful but could lead to other serious conditions (if left untreated). The Cleveland Clinic reports that the top concern with dog bites is infection. Of course, there are also other risks if the wound is bleeding uncontrollably.

When a dog bites through the skin, there is a chance that an infection could develop. You may even need to be hospitalized and receive intravenous antibiotics for your dog bite injury, depending on how serious it is.

This is why you should go for treatment within eight hours of the incident happening. Waiting longer could increase the risk of an infection developing, especially for those who have diabetes or are immunocompromised.

Unvaccinated Dogs and Strays Could Carry Diseases

Cleveland Clinic also states that half of the dogs that bite introduce multiple bacteria to the human body. Also, these animals can transfer rabies to the person they bite if they are carriers of the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rabies is a viral disease that must travel through the body to the brain before an individual begins to notice symptoms.

Once the disease makes it to the brain, you might begin to experience flu-like symptoms such as:

• Weakness
• Fever
• Headache
• Discomfort
• Neurologic symptoms

Rabies is a serious condition that could lead to a person’s untimely death. So, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. This way, your doctor can determine your risk of getting rabies and render any treatment they believe is necessary.

Ways a Lawyer Can Help After You Suffer a Dog Bite Injury

Being bitten by a dog can be a traumatic experience, even if the injury is considered minor. Whether you were bitten by a neighbor’s dog that attacked without warning or by an unknown dog while taking a walk, you may be entitled to recover compensation. Such an award could include damages to cover the costs of the medical treatment you had rendered or will need to have rendered in the future, as well.

If you would like to find out if your dog bite injury warrants compensation, you can have a personal injury lawyer assess your case. If it is determined that the owner was negligent in some way (e.g., they didn’t have their dog on a leash), you may be entitled to collect compensation using one or more of the following methods.

An attorney can assist you in your pursuit of compensation by helping you:

File a Claim with the Dog Owner’s Insurance Company

Homeowner’s insurance is one source that might provide you with financial relief after being bitten by someone’s dog. Insurance companies do limit coverage for these types of claims, though, and often don’t provide it to individuals who own a dangerous dog (such as a pit bull). Renters insurance companies may also extend coverage to dog bite injuries.

Our firm often helps victims of dog attacks file their insurance claims to ensure they are handled promptly and fairly. If your dog bite injury is serious, you will want to be able to afford the medical care and medication you need without paying out of your own pocket.

If you have a valid claim and the insurer delays in getting it processed, you can rest assured that our lawyers will intervene to get the issue resolved.

File a Personal Injury Lawsuit

When a dog owner doesn’t have insurance coverage that extends to dog bite injuries, and you want to hold them liable for the injuries their pet caused you to suffer, another way is to file a personal injury lawsuit. Personal injury lawsuits can be settled in or out of court.

If the dog owner takes responsibility for their pet’s actions, they might decide to offer you a settlement to avoid having to go to trial.

Call in the Strong Arm Attorneys if You Suffered a Dog Bite Injury in Dallas

Pet owners in Texas are expected to maintain control over their pets and ensure they are restrained at all times. Pet owners who allow their dogs to roam freely can be held financially liable for damages if their dog bites someone else. Contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins for a free case review if:

• You want to hold a dog owner accountable for the trauma you or a family member experienced.
• You are looking to collect compensation from the liable party for the medical costs you incurred due to being bitten by their dog.

The post When Should You Go to a Doctor for a Dog Bite? appeared first on Loncar Lyon Jenkins.

Pet owners in Dallas are expected to maintain control of their dogs at all times, whether they are going for a leisurely walk through their neighborhood or taking their pet to the park to roam around.

How to Pursue Compensation After Being Bitten by a Dog in Dallas

The cost of medical care today is substantially higher than what it was years ago, and the last thing you likely planned on having to pay for was a trip to the hospital to treat your dog bite injury.

However, the City of Dallas implemented animal-related ordinances that aim to keep people protected from being attacked by dogs. There may be a way for you to recover compensation to make up for the expenses your dog bite injury has caused you to incur.

File a Claim with the Pet Owner’s Homeowner’s Insurance Carrier

Some homeowner’s insurance companies and renter’s insurance carriers extend coverage to pets. This means the dog owner’s insurance company may be held financially liable for your damages.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) says that insurers will provide up to a policyholder’s liability limits, which is usually anywhere between $100,000 to $300,000 given

The Insurance Company May Try to Avoid Paying You

Although the dog owner’s insurance carrier may cover dog bite injuries, that does not necessarily mean it is going to cover yours. Insurance companies often find ways to reduce the value of the claims they receive or find a way to deny certain ones. Therefore, instead of the insurer providing you with the compensation you might be due, the adjuster may provide you with a reduced settlement offer or tell you your claim cannot be paid.

Fortunately, when you are represented by a Dallas personal injury attorney from our firm, they can challenge the insurer’s decision by filing an appeal on your behalf or attempt to negotiate with the adjuster to increase the value of your claim. In the meantime, you can focus your attention on getting better.

Another way you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you suffered as a result of a dog bite is by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the dog’s owner. You would generally file a lawsuit if the owner’s insurance policy’s limits are exhausted or the dog’s owner doesn’t have insurance coverage that extends to dog bites.

The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Texas

When filing a personal injury lawsuit against a dog’s owner, you will need to show that it was their negligent actions that led to the incident occurring. You can do this by proving the owner was violating one or more state or city laws.

In the event you are considering filing a dog bite injury lawsuit, you are subjected to a time limit, which is referred to as the statute of limitations. In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of your incident to come forward with your lawsuit.In the event you let the statute of limitations expire, you may no longer have the grounds to sue.

Call in the Strong Arm Attorneys for Legal Advice and Representation If a Dog Bit You in Dallas

If you or your child was walking through your neighborhood or visiting your local park and you were bitten by a dog, you can contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins so that we can evaluate your case and determine if you are entitled to recover compensation for the injuries you suffered.

The post What to Do If a Dog Bites You appeared first on Loncar Lyon Jenkins.

Factors that Influence Dog Bite Claims

There are several factors that come into play in a dog bite injury case. For starters, you have to take into account how serious your injury is and whether the dog bite has caused other medical conditions. The Cleveland Clinic reports that dog bites can cause infections and even transfer rabies, which can require extensive treatment and extend the length of your case.

Your Medical Prognosis

You don’t want to settle your claim until you know the extent of your injuries, as you may miss out on recovering compensation if you require future medical treatment. Before accepting a settlement or even entering negotiations, you will want to be able to answer the following:

• Will your injury cause scarring?
• Will you need surgery?
• How will your injury impact your physical abilities in the future?
• Did you develop an infection after being bitten by a dog?

Your doctor should be able to answer these questions for you after a thorough examination of the bite. Once you have a prognosis from your physician, you will have a better idea of how much you should seek for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses you may have incurred.

Whether the Insurance Company Accepts Liability

The Insurance Information Institute (III) states that because most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance companies cover dog bite injuries, you could receive damages through a claim. However, there are times when an insurance company may not believe its policyholder is liable. If the insurance company isn’t willing to cover your dog bite-related damages, this could prolong the claims process.

It is important to understand that even if an insurance company denies your claim initially, this decision isn’t final. When you’re dealing with a carrier that doesn’t want to pay your claim, a personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you appeal and fight for fair compensation.

Appealing an Insurance Company’s Denial

When an insurance company denies a dog bite injury claim, yet coverage is available, you have the right to file an appeal. This means you acknowledge that you do not agree with the insurer’s decision and would like a second review.

When you choose to hire our law firm to assist with your dog bite injury claim, we will handle most of the appeals process for you so that you can continue to focus on recovering.

The Amount the Insurance Company Is Offering

Another factor that will affect how long it takes to settle your dog bite injury claim is how much the insurance company is offering for your injuries and other losses. It can be difficult to determine what a fair amount is while also considering policy limits and what your injuries are worth. Our team can assess the insurance company’s offer to see if the amount is reasonable and fair.

If the insurer offers you a fair settlement, then your claim may close rather quickly. However, if the offer is unreasonable and the policy allows for a higher payout, our lawyers can negotiate with the adjuster to try and get the value of the claim raised.

Why You Shouldn’t Settle Your Dog Bite Injury Claim Too Early

One of the benefits of retaining our legal counsel after suffering a dog bite injury is that we will help you make an informed decision about when you should settle your claim. Insurance companies sometimes try to settle quickly before victims have had ample time to consider how serious their injuries are or whether the amount offered is fair. They may consider you vulnerable and eager to obtain compensation.

If you settle too early, you may learn later that your injuries are more serious than what you had previously thought. In this case, you won’t be able to reopen your claim and request additional money. Once you accept a settlement offer, any damages not accounted for will have to come out of your own pocket.

Call in the Attorneys with the Strong Arm to Assist with Your Dog Bite Injury Claim Today

When pet owners in Dallas neglect to ensure their dogs are properly restrained or allow them to wander without considering the risks, they should be held accountable if their pet bites someone. If you want to hold a pet owner liable for your injuries, contact Loncar Lyon Jenkins.

Our team can guide you through the settlement process and help you recover compensation to address your damages. We offer free case reviews and would be happy to answer any legal questions or concerns you may have.

The post How Long Does It Take to Settle a Dog Bite Claim? appeared first on Loncar Lyon Jenkins.

Not only are you required to report some dog bites to the proper authorities but doing so could also protect your legal rights. If you decide to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering due to your injuries, your report can be valuable evidence that helps you or a dog bite lawyer prove your case.

Why You Have to Report Your Dog Bite in Texas

Here are the reasons you must report your dog bite in Texas.

Protecting Public Health

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TxDSHS), all dog bites (and other animal bites) should be reported immediately due to public health threats. Without tracking bites, rabies can spread. Regardless of whether or not you know the animal’s vaccination status, you should always report what happened.

Once you report your injuries, the “Local Rabies Control Authority” or LRCA will deal with the animal. While high-risk, wild animals are often captured and euthanized, this is not commonly the case with dogs—so do not fail to report because you think you are protecting the dog. The LRCA may advise home confinement and quarantine for the animal, so there is no need to fear reporting.

Protecting Your Rights

In addition to protecting public health by reporting your dog bite, you also protect your rights when reporting the incident. By establishing a paper trail, you create evidence of the dog attack and your injuries. This can be useful if you later seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

A dog bite injury lawyer from our law firm can review your rights after a dog has bitten you. We can also explain what damages you could expect to recover through a successful personal injury claim or lawsuit against the parties responsible.

What Is the ‘One Bite Rule’ and How Can It Affect Your Dog Bite Injury Case in Texas?

While no laws in Texas specifically address dog bite victims holding dog owners liable for their injuries, it is a “one bite rule” state, and injured parties can pursue damages. This means dog owners can be held legally responsible for any injuries and losses their animals inflict on others if they knew or should have known their animal would harm another, particularly if they know the dog has attacked someone before. Past behavior is an important indicator of an animal’s nature and temperament.

Each dog bite case is unique, so even if a dog has never attacked someone before, its owner could still be responsible for covering medical care, emotional injuries, and other losses from a dog bite attack. However, the injured party must prove the owner is strictly liable for their injuries if the dog has never bitten anyone or shown tendencies to be capable of doing so.

An Attorney Can Protect You If the Dog Owner Challenges Your Claim

A personal injury attorney can review a situation and sort out any unclear or challenging aspects of a case and how to hold a negligent party responsible. They can also set out to prove liability in case and counter any defenses a dog owner may use, such as:

• Saying they didn’t know their dog was capable of an attack or dangerous behavior or vicious propensities
• Claiming you did something to provoke the animal to attack you
• Alleging you were trespassing on their property, which led to an attack

Evidence in your case can help you prove fault and who should cover your expenses. An attorney can also prove negligence occurred if the owner had a duty of care to reasonably protect you from harm but didn’t, resulting in an incident that caused your damages and losses.

Pursuing Compensation After Reporting Your Dog Bite

Following a dog bite, you can pursue compensation for your injuries. This compensation can cover your economic losses and non-economic losses due to the dog bite.

Economic Damages in Dog Bite Cases

In dog bite cases, you could pursue economic damages through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. These recoverable damages should compensate you for the financial losses from your injuries. For example, medical bills and lost income fall under this category.

Medical bills include things like your:

• Doctors’ visits
• Hospital stays
• Specialists’ appointments
• Surgeries
• Physical therapy
• Psychological services (for non-physical injuries stemming from the attack, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotional distress, anxiety disorders, depression, etc.)
• Prescription costs
• Future medical expenses if your bite resulted in an ongoing or chronic condition

Your lost income also falls under the economic damages category. They should compensate for the work you missed and any reduced earnings you experienced if your injuries required you to take on a lower-paying role. You can also recover damages for your lost earning potential if your injuries prevent you from working in the future.

Non-Economic Damages in Dog Bite Cases

Non-economic damages in dog bite cases refer to the other losses you have experienced that do not have their monetary value. This includes your physical pain, mental and emotional suffering, and the trauma caused by the attack.

When an animal attacks, it can be a jarring and scary moment. In many cases, the dog who bites is known to the victim, adding to the emotional difficulty of the incident. As such, the aftermath of your injuries may take a mental toll. Our team understands this and will advocate for your recovery of these non-financial losses alongside your financial ones.

Call in the Strong Arm Attorneys Today for Your Dog Bite Case

Call in the Strong Arm of Loncar Lyon Jenkins today to learn more about whether you must report your dog bite in Texas and receive your free legal consultation. Your time to file suit against a negligent dog owner is limited—the sooner you call, the sooner our dog bite injury lawyer can get started on your case. Contact us now.

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Determining Your Risk of Tetanus

Many people commonly think the risk of contracting a tetanus infection occurs after suffering a cut or puncture wound involving metal. However, tetanus is also possible after a dog bite.

Tetanus does not always occur after a dog bite that punctures the skin. Still, because it is so easy to prevent tetanus with a booster shot, doctors often recommend that dog bite victims update their tetanus booster, just to be safe.

Incubation Period for Tetanus

Another reason doctors recommend dog bite victims receive a tetanus booster shot quickly is because of the illness’s random incubation period.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a tetanus infection usually shows up within 14 days of the wound. However, some people develop symptoms within one day, while others may not see symptoms for several months. Rather than allowing the tetanus bacteria to remain untreated in the body for weeks until symptoms show up, doctors may prefer to treat dog bite victims with the booster—unless they had a shot within the past 10 years.

Follow the Doctor’s Advice

When you see a doctor, it’s important to follow their recommendations regarding your dog bite, both for your safety and if you plan to seek compensation from the dog’s owner. If you do not follow through on the treatment they recommend, this refusal could lead to a lower settlement amount in a personal injury case related to the dog attack.

Regarding whether you need to get a tetanus shot after a dog bite, you certainly should receive one if the doctor recommends it. If you refuse, the insurance company representing the dog owner may argue that you did not take your injuries seriously. This could lead to a reduction or denial of your financial award.

Why Seek Compensation After a Dog Bite?

If a dog owner fails to secure their animal and it bites a person and causes bodily injury, the owner may be liable. If this happened to you, you may qualify to seek compensation to cover your medical expenses and other damages. Our law firm could help.

At Loncar Lyon Jenkins, we work on a contingency-fee-basis. With this type of payment structure, we do not require any payment from our clients ahead of time. Instead, we receive a percentage of the final settlement in the case as our fee.

Call Our Attorneys for Help Today

For a free review of your case, contact us today at (877) 239-4878. We will begin working as soon as you choose to hire us.

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