Dog bites and attacks are very common across the country. Unfortunately, many of these attacks involve children. These incidents can cause physical, emotional, and financial injuries with devastating consequences.
If a dog has attacked you or a loved one, you might be entitled to compensation from the canine’s owner. A knowledgeable Temple dog bite lawyer can fight to get damages such as lost wages and income, past and future medical bills, and disability. Discuss your case and rights with an experienced personal injury attorney in your community. En Español
Texas is one of many states that adheres to a “one bite” rule. Accordingly, a Temple dog owner is not liable for injuries their dog causes unless the owner was aware of their dog’s history of vicious behavior. In short, a dog owner will not be held liable for injuries resulting from their dog’s first bite in most cases.
A Temple dog owner can be held strictly liable for subsequent attacks and injuries following their dog’s first incident. The latter is true even if the owner exercised a high degree of caution to keep others safe from their dog. An adept Temple dog attack attorney can help an injured person get money for their injuries.
A negligent dog owner can be held legally responsible for harm caused by their dog’s first attack. Under Texas law, dog owners must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk that their dog will harm someone. These steps vary depending on the dog’s characteristics and can include walking their dog on a leash, placing a muzzle on their dog when in public, and enclosing their dog inside a yard using a fence, leash, or both.
Dog owners that do not exercise a certain level of care can be considered negligent. A dog owner’s negligence can be the basis of a lawsuit if it caused another person’s injuries. A dog owner can be deemed negligent if they:
Unfortunately, not all dog owners take the necessary precautions with their dogs. A qualified Temple dog bite attorney can determine the facts of a dog attack and the history of the dog’s behavior to support an injured party’s claims.
Landlords assume a significant amount of responsibility for tenants and guests. For instance, they must ensure that common spaces are reasonably safe and void of dangerous conditions. A vicious dog can be considered a danger for everyone on the premises.
If a landlord is aware that a vicious dog lives on the property, he or she must take steps to protect the tenants and guests’ safety. The action they take may include asking the tenant to have the dog removed from the premises.
If the landlord fails to do anything and warn visitors of any potential harm, an injured party can hold the landlord personally responsible for their injuries. A competent Temple dog bite attorney can help an injured party hold their landlord liable if applicable.
A dog bite can leave you with much more than an emergency room bill. Many victims require ongoing medical treatment, miss time from work, and continue dealing with physical pain or emotional trauma long after the attack. With the help of a Temple dog bite attorney, you may be able to recover the following types of damages from the animal’s owner.
Medical costs often make up a significant portion of a dog bite claim. You can seek compensation for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and any future medical care related to the attack. Serious bites may also require reconstructive surgery or treatment for infections, nerve damage, or permanent scarring.
If your injuries prevent you from working, you may recover the income you lost while you healed. In general, you can establish what these lost wage claims are worth using your employment records. In addition to missed paychecks, you might be entitled to compensation for expended sick days and other benefits.
When a severe injury permanently affects your ability to perform your job or limits your future earning potential, you may also seek compensation for reduced earning capacity. This amount is calculated by comparing what you were making at the time of your injury with what you are likely to earn now that your options are limited.
Dog attacks often cause significant physical pain and emotional distress. Compensation for pain and suffering recognizes the physical discomfort, anxiety, fear, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life that frequently accompany these injuries.
Many dog bites leave permanent scars, particularly when the injuries are to your face, arms, or hands. Visible scarring can affect your confidence, daily life, and emotional well-being for years, and it is hard to put a dollar value on these hardships.
The steps you take after a dog attack can protect both your health and your legal claim. The sooner you think about your health and legal options, the more likely the outcome will be to your liking.
Your health comes first following an animal attack. Even a bite that appears minor can lead to serious infections or other complications. Seeing a doctor right away also creates records that connect your injuries to the attack.
Report the bite to local law enforcement or animal control as soon as possible. Authorities can investigate the incident, verify the dog’s vaccination history, and create an official report that may become valuable evidence during your claim.
If you can do so safely, take photographs of your injuries, the location of the attack, the dog, and any torn clothing or damaged personal property. Obtain the dog owner’s contact information and speak with anyone who witnessed the incident. The more evidence you preserve, the easier it becomes to establish what happened.
Save every medical bill, prescription receipt, treatment record, and document showing missed work or lost income. The more documentation you have of your injuries and expenses, the easier it will be to recover what you are owed.
Dog bite cases can become complicated, particularly in Texas. An experienced attorney can answer any questions you might have before building a winning case for compensation on your behalf.
If a dog has wounded you, an experienced Temple dog bite lawyer can defend your legal right to receive compensation. This compensation can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The sooner you meet with an attorney, the more time you will have to make decisions before the statute of limitations expires. Contact us today to discuss the facts of your case with one of our attorneys.
