Pets do a lot for their owners—they bring people unconditional joy, love, and laughter. Animals also make people feel safer by watching over a house or property. Many people say their family would not be complete without their dogs or cats. However, domestic animals sometimes lash out and attack people, and dog bites can leave people with devastating injuries.
After an animal attacked and injured you or a loved one, you should discuss your legal options with a Leander dog bite lawyer. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can assess your evidence, explain local dog attack laws, and help you file the most compelling claim possible.
A dog bite can cause substantial damage and have significant repercussions. Any attack could lead to physical injuries, financial strain, and emotional trauma.
The physical injuries associated with a dog bite can be painful and debilitating. Many adults suffer severe damage to their legs or arms as they try to push an attacking dog away. Meanwhile, kids might be left with serious trauma to the whole body, as they are smaller and not as aware of a dog’s physical power. Instead of approaching a dog cautiously, children frequently put their faces right up to the animal, or they might unknowingly provoke it. Therefore, children often suffer face, head, and neck injuries due to dog bites.
A dog attack can also knock a child to the ground, causing them to suffer head wounds, broken bones, and other injuries from the fall. A heavy dog can even jump onto a person, leading to that person suffering internal organ damage or crush injuries.
Any of these injuries would require medical treatment and follow-up care. Therefore, after being attacked by a vicious dog, calling an ambulance and seeking adequate medical treatment should be a priority.
The emotional impact of a dog attack can also run deep. After being injured by an aggressive dog, a victim might experience depression, anxiety, and stress. Even being around a dog could be traumatic for an attack survivor.
The financial cost of recovering from a dog bite can also be substantial, especially if a plaintiff has no way to work and earn a steady wage.
A diligent Leander attorney understands the physical, emotional, and financial impact of a dog bite and can help a plaintiff seek compensation for their many losses.
Texas law follows a “one-bite” rule, which often does not help the victims of dog attacks. To recover damages after a dog bite, a survivor or their family will need to work with a Leander lawyer to prove that the dog in question had bitten someone in the past or had a history of acting aggressively. A claimant can also argue that the dog’s owner did not use reasonable care to prevent the animal from biting someone.
Speaking with a dog owner or witnesses to establish that the animal had a history of violence is typically the strongest way to assemble a compelling claim, and a seasoned legal team member can handle this challenging aspect of the civil claims process.
The “one-bite rule” was established in the case Marshall v. Ranne. In that case, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that unless a dog has been declared a vicious or dangerous animal, a plaintiff must show that the owner knew that the dog had been aggressive or vicious, or had bitten someone previously, or that the owner was careless or negligent in handling the dog, and that negligent handling resulted in the victim’s injuries.
The rule does not give a dog one free bite. A victim can still recover damages if they can provide evidence that the owner knew or should have reasonably known that their dog was vicious or aggressive and that the owner should have taken steps to control it.
Evidence of this knowledge can come from witness statements, such as neighbors or delivery drivers who may have been attacked by the animal, doorbell or Ring camera footage demonstrating the animal’s behavior, and similar evidence. A Leander attorney can help obtain this data to present a compelling dog bite case to an insurance company or court.
Texas Health & Safety Code § 822.041 defines a dangerous dog as one that has made an unprovoked attack on a person somewhere other than an enclosure where it was confined to prevent it from attacking other people or animals. Once an animal has received a dangerous dog designation, the owner is required to:
A dog becomes a dangerous dog after the first bite, so no owner who has a dog that has attacked someone, even if it was minor, can reasonably claim they were unaware of their dog’s tendencies. An attorney can review animal control records to see if the dog or its owner has been in court before. This can provide strong evidence that the owner knew the dog was aggressive and should have taken steps to control it.
A dog may also be declared dangerous after a hearing, per Tex. H&S Code § 822.003. If it is believed the dog caused the death or serious injury of a person, animal control can seize the animal, and a hearing must be held within ten days of the seizure. At the hearing, any interested party may provide evidence of the animal’s behavior. The judge can order the dog humanely euthanized or returned to the owner with restrictions. If the dog is found not to have caused the injuries, the case will be dismissed.
An injured person may still have legal recourse if the dog’s owner violated local leash laws. For instance, if the dog was running loose in violation of state or city requirements that dogs must be leashed or restrained at all times, a civil case can be pursued for harm done regardless of whether the dog was dangerous.
While a dog’s owner is often the primary party responsible for an attack, other individuals or entities may share liability for ensuing injuries. If someone were bitten while lawfully on a property, such as an apartment complex or a rental home, and the landlord knew a dangerous dog was on the premises but failed to take reasonable steps to protect visitors, the landlord could be held legally responsible. Similarly, if a dog was under the care of a paid handler at the time of the bite, such as a dog walker or a boarding facility, that business could be liable for failing to properly control the animal.
An employer may also share responsibility for a dog bite if the attack happened on business property or during business hours, such as an attack by a guard dog kept on commercial premises. In cases involving a minor dog owner, the child’s parents or legal guardians may bear responsibility for failing to supervise the child and the animal.
Every case is different, and identifying every liable party requires a close review of the facts. An attorney will look closely at where the attack occurred and who controlled the property, then consider who had a duty to keep others safe. The attorneys at Felix Gonzalez Law investigate each of these angles to build a claim on behalf of a Leander dog bite victim, working to ensure that everyone who contributed to the harm is held accountable.
The steps an injured person takes immediately following an attack can affect both the injured person’s health and ability to recover compensation. Seeking medical attention should always come first, even if injuries appear minor at first glance. Dog bites carry a serious risk of infection, and a medical provider can properly clean the wound and address any nerve or tissue damage. That same visit also creates a medical record that can support a future claim.
Try to gather as much information as possible about the incident. Dog bite victims should photograph injuries and the location of the attack, and take a photo of the dog itself if it is safe to do so. It is also important to collect the contact information of any witnesses and report the attack to local animal control to create an official record. In the surrounding Williamson County area, animal control officers can investigate whether the dog has a prior history of aggression, which may become valuable evidence later.
Those injured should also avoid giving a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters often ask questions designed to minimize a claim, and even an innocent statement could reduce compensation. Keep a record of medical bills and any lost wages due to work missed, along with other expenses tied to the attack. These records help a Leander dog bite attorney build a complete and accurate picture of losses when negotiating with an insurer.
Recovering from a dog attack is difficult enough without also navigating a legal claim, which is why partnering with a Leander dog bite attorney can make a meaningful difference. Texas law gives injury victims a limited window to file a lawsuit. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, an injured person must file a personal injury claim within two years of the attack. Missing this deadline can prevent recovery, so acting promptly is important.
Insurance companies often have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to protect their bottom line, which can leave an injured claimant at a disadvantage. The team at Felix Gonzalez Law understands how these companies operate and can push back against lowball offers or attempts to shift blame. An attorney can also handle communication with the dog owner and with any other liable party, such as a property manager. Felix Gonzalez takes the time to investigate each case fully and gather supporting evidence, then calculates the true value of a claim.
Being attacked by a vicious or aggressive dog can change your life. After a bite, you might be left with serious injuries, emotional trauma, and a wide array of financial setbacks that prevent you from getting your life back on track.
You deserve compensation for your trauma, and our legal team is here to help. A Leander dog bite lawyer can answer questions, help you collect evidence of a dog’s aggressive past, and handle the process of filing a claim for compensation. Call today to learn more.
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