This means that the dog’s owner could be held responsible if it bites someone else.
To prove negligence, the victim must show that the owner did not use reasonable care to avoid the bite and knew of the dog’s aggressive nature.
It’s one of the most frightening experiences anyone can go through. It is a terrifying experience that anyone can experience, whether you are a family member, friend, or child.
Unfortunately, victims sometimes carry a bite mark as a permanent reminder of the incident for the rest of life.
Negligent owners must be held responsible for their actions, not only to stop bites from happening to others.
A Houston dog bite lawyer is familiar with such cases. You can get the compensation you need and continue your life after suffering injuries.
Houston is the best place to find a lawyer for dog bites.
Houston’s most vicious dog attacks are the ones that make headlines, but Houston has many other silent victims who are bitten every day by their owners.
Around 800,000 Americans are bitten each year by dogs—more than 2,000 dog bites per day, which leads to many dogs bite lawsuits.
Any dog bite can result in serious injuries. This can cause severe injuries to the head and face and disfigurement and scarring.
This, along with the physical pain, can cause emotional trauma and suffering.
You have the right to claim compensation for your financial loss and emotional pain and suffering if a Houston dog injures you.
Without an experienced lawyer in personal injury claims, it can be difficult to prove liability and claim the compensation you are entitled to.
Your lawyer will collect evidence and speak with witnesses to help you decide the next steps in obtaining your medical bills paid or making a claim.
Are you able to sue Texas for dog bites?
Chapter 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code deals with animals and, specifically, “dogs that attack people or pose a threat to persons.”
It is not an easy task. Much depends on the dog’s past and if the owner is aware that it is dangerous.
Let’s look at Texas laws to help you decide if suing your dog for a bite injury is a good idea.
Texas “dangerous dog” laws
Texas holds vicious animal owners strictly responsible for any damages they cause. A dangerous dog is:
- An unprovoked attack against a person that causes bodily harm is not in the enclosure where the dog was kept. It was reasonably certain that the dog would not leave the enclosure by itself.
- Unprovoked acts committed in an area other than the enclosure where the dog is kept. These acts make it reasonable to believe that the dog could attack or cause bodily injury to the person.
Houston dog bite accident:
Call us today to schedule a confidential and free consultation about your case if a dog bite has hurt you because of the negligence of another party.
Texas Dog Bite Law & Strict Liability
Texas has strict liability rules in dog bite cases. However, Texas does have negligence rules.
The statute says:
A dangerous dog makes an unprovoked attack against a person and causes bodily harm. It must also be kept in an area other than the dog’s enclosure.
You may not need to prove that the owner failed to exercise reasonable care to avoid the attack if the dog is considered dangerous.
What’s the Texas “One Bite Rule?”
The “one bite rule” states that, unless the dog has ever bitten anyone before, the victim must prove that the dog was dangerous or could be dangerous for the owner to be held responsible for any damages.
This law makes it difficult for dog bite victims to seek fair compensation from their owners if their dogs have never bitten anyone else before.
The victim must prove that the owner did not use reasonable care to stop the dog from biting or knew of the dog’s aggressive nature to establish negligence.
If the dog is considered dangerous, strict liability rules will apply. The owner doesn’t need to prove that they failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent the attack.
Can a dog’s owner be charged with a crime?
A dog owner who acts with criminal negligence knows their dog is dangerous and fails to stop it from biting someone could face criminal charges in Texas.
If the owner fails or refuses to control a dangerous dog, and someone is seriously hurt or killed on the owner’s property, felony charges could be brought against the owner.
In the case of a dog biting incident, for example, if authorities informed the owner that the dog was unsafe or if the attack was unprovoked, they could be charged with criminal negligence.
Houston common dog attack injuries
Pet dogs can be extremely powerful and cause serious injuries to humans. Dogs in attack mode will often seek out the throat or face area.
Here are some of the most common injuries that we see in Houston:
- Scarring
- Broken bones
- Eye injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Amputation of fingers and toes
These injuries can be combined with emotional ones.
What are your rights in a Houston dog bite case?
You can still claim compensation under Texas’ “comparative negligence” laws even if you were not at fault for the dog bite attack.
You can seek compensation for any injuries sustained if you are held responsible for 50% or less of your injuries.
Even if the dog owner was not trespassing, they might still be partially responsible. If the dog owner knew their dog was dangerous but did not trespass, they would be fully responsible for any injuries or other damages.
These damages may include:
- All medical expenses, including any care related to the dog bite injury
- Counseling costs
- Compensation for the pain suffered
- Anxiety, depression, and mental anguish are all possible.
- You may lose your earning capacity if it is necessary to take time off from work
- Disfigurement/plastic surgery requirements
- Loss of quality of life and physical impairment
Contact a Dog Bite Injury Attorney
Our Houston attorneys with years of experience representing victims of dog bites. They know what to look out for in these cases and how to approach claims.
It is best to contact him immediately after your injuries are treated and checked.
We will be sympathetic listeners to your story and work hard to prove the facts. We will then begin to gather evidence to support your story.
These cases are complicated because the owner may refuse to accept liability even though it may appear like negligence. The dog owner might claim that the victim was trespassing or that they did not know that the dog could be aggressive.
These laws are complicated in Texas. These laws are complex and can make it difficult to obtain compensation. Our experienced dog bite lawyers can help you.
It is not something you want to worry about when you are recovering from an injury. All that is necessary for we can handle you. We can either negotiate the best possible settlement or go to court to let a jury decide.
