Dog Bites Attorney in Dallas, Texas

A person who has been attacked or bitten by a dog has gone through a terrible experience. The physical injury and the emotional stress of a dog bite make life more difficult while also creating expensive medical bills. 

Put your health and recovery first – and make sure the dog owner is held responsible. Texas law provides protections for people who have suffered from dog bites. You can seek financial compensation for your expenses caused by a dog bite.

At my firm, M Mathew Law Firm, PLLC, I can help build your case if you were bitten by a dog and are seeking to hold the dog owner responsible. I prioritize your needs and I will communicate with you directly. With over a decade of experience as an attorney, I proudly represent clients in Dallas, Texas, as well as Richardson, Lewisville, Irving, Farmers Branch, Grand Prairie, Garland, and Mesquite.

Texas Dog Bite Law

The law regarding dog bites varies from state to state, and Texas follows the “One-Bite Rule.” This means that once a dog bites a person one time, after that bite, it may be possible to hold the dog owner responsible if the dog bites anyone else.

There are two conditions that must be fulfilled to begin a case where you can hold the dog owner responsible. First, you must be able to prove that the owner knew that the dog had been aggressive and bit someone before. Second, it also must be shown that the dog owner was not careful enough and did not do enough to prevent your bite from happening.

If there was no dog owner on the property when the bite happened, you may be able to pursue a different type of case against the property owner. Speak to a Texas attorney to learn more about this type of case known as premises liability.

Liability in A Dog Bite Case

Once the first two conditions are met and you have a case for holding the dog owner responsible, there are other conditions that must be met to prove liability. 

You must be able to prove that the person who was responsible for the dog when it bit you is actually the dog’s owner. Then, you must be able to prove that the dog owner did not use reasonable care to protect you from the dog. Finally, you must be able to prove that the fact that the owner did not act to prevent the dog from biting you is what caused your injuries.

Texas is a modified comparative negligence state. If the court finds that the accident was 50% or more your fault, then you will not be able to recover any financial compensation. However, if the accident was less than 50% your fault, then you can recover compensation. For example, if you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident, and you were going to receive $10,000 in damages, then your award would be reduced by 20% to $8,000.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

There are two additional points to keep in mind as you consider filing a personal injury claim. First, there is the statute of limitations, which is the deadline after which you can no longer file a claim in court.

In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. After two years, you can no longer file a personal injury case against the dog owner even if the dog caused you serious bodily injury.

You may also be wondering about the financial compensation you could receive after the dog bite. In Texas, you can sue for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are for expenses such as medical bills and lost income from missing time at work. Non-economic damages are for other losses, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress.  

Speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn more about how much financial compensation you may be eligible to receive

Dog Bite Attorney Serving Dallas, Texas

A dog bite can create major physical health and financial problems. You can seek to hold the dog owner responsible. I can help you understand your options and guide you through your case. My firm, M Mathew Law Firm, PLLC, proudly represents clients in Dallas, Texas, Richardson, Lewisville, Irving, and the nearby areas. Contact my firm today to schedule a free consultation.