If you were bitten by someone else’s dog, you’re probably dealing with expensive medical bills, emotional distress, and other challenges. Our legal team at Attorney Brian White can help you fight for compensation. Our Houston dog bite lawyer will investigate the dog attack and build a strong case on your behalf.
With over 20 years of experience in personal injury law, we’re more than qualified to help you get the money you deserve. Since we opened our law firm, our personal injury lawyers in Houston have recovered hundreds of millions for our satisfied clients.
Dog bite injuries can be more severe than you might initially think. If you’re struggling with injuries, contact us today to explore your legal rights.
Why Choose Our Houston Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Team
When you’ve been bitten, you need a legal team that actually picks up the phone. When you work with our Houston dog bite attorneys, you always speak to a real person. You also get the resources of a big firm with the attention of a boutique one. Our founding attorney is board-certified in personal injury law, a distinction few attorneys earn.
Dog bite claims can be complicated. They often involve questions about negligence, liability, and insurance coverage. We have a proven record of success, know how to hold careless dog owners responsible, and are prepared to pursue fair damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you choose our firm, you get experienced lawyers who know Texas personal injury law. They will work hard to protect your rights and get the best result. Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted Houston personal injury lawyer.
How Much Money is My Houston Dog Bite Case Worth?
It’s natural to wonder how much your dog bite claim is worth. After all, injury claims take time and effort. Victims of dog bites understandably want to know what they’re getting into. The truth is, many factors can impact the value of your personal injury claim. Every scenario is different, and your story is important.
Some factors that will most strongly impact the value of your personal injury case include:
- How severely you were injured
- Your current medical bills
- Whether you will need ongoing medical care and attention
- Whether you’ve lost time at work or can’t return to your job
- The emotional toll the dog attack has taken on you
- The strength of the evidence to prove liability
How to Prove Your Claim’s Worth
Proving that a dog’s owner was liable in Texas isn’t always easy. Dog owners often defend themselves by claiming they had no idea the dog was dangerous. They might try to blame you for provoking the dog to bite.
Our dog bite lawyers in Houston know how to ensure you’re compensated for the full range of losses you’ve suffered, including all medical treatment expenses. We’re prepared for dog owners who don’t want to take responsibility for their animals. When you hire us, you’ll have secured the strong legal representation you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Houston?
Compensatory damages are the most common type of damages awarded in Texas. Compensatory damages in Texas are divided into two main types: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Our Houston dog bite lawyers will assess your unique situation, calculate the true value of your claim, and pursue the following damages for you:
Types of Economic Damages in Dog Bite Cases
Economic damages cover the financial costs you can prove from a dog bite injury. These costs include various expenses. Depending on your situation, our team may seek any of the following damages:
- Medical expenses, including both current and expected future costs
- Lost earnings during your recovery
- Lost future earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and PT
- In-home assistance
- Nursing care
- Mental health treatment
By pursuing economic damages, you can recover the financial support needed to cover these expenses and secure the resources necessary for your long-term recovery and well-being. Holding onto your treatment bills and medical records will give our team the evidence we need to make a strong case for fair compensation.
Types of Non-Economic Damages in Dog Bite Cases
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate you for the personal pain, suffering, and trauma caused by the ordeal. We may pursue any of the following non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Chronic pain
- Reduced quality of life
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fear
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Emotional damage
These non-financial losses are very real. Still, they can be really difficult to prove. That’s one way a personal injury attorney can help. Our team understands what evidence is needed and how to present it effectively. Often, expert witness testimony can be critical to successfully proving the fair value of your losses.
In addition, we can gather supporting documentation, such as medical records, employment history, and financial statements, to build a compelling case. By combining strong evidence with expert analysis, we can help ensure you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Handle a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Texas?
Like most injury law firms in Texas, Attorney Brian White works on a contingency fee basis. We only get paid if we win compensation in your case. When we do, our fees are expressed as a percentage.
You’ll never be forced to cover upfront costs or worry about hourly legal fees. Schedule a free consultation with us today to learn more about our contingency fee policy and get started on your case.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partially to Blame for the Dog Bite?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you are being blamed for the incident. Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This means your damages can be lowered if you share some blame for the dog bite.
For example, if you are found 20% at fault, perhaps because you provoked the dog, your total compensation will be reduced by that percentage. However, you cannot bear more than 50% of the blame to pursue recovery.
Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto victims to minimize payouts. That’s why having an experienced Houston dog bite lawyer is so important. Your attorney can gather evidence, challenge unfair allegations, and work to limit the percentage of fault assigned to you. This helps protect your right to full and fair compensation under Texas law.
Our Attorneys in Houston Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks and dog bites can cause many different types of serious injuries. You could require extensive and even long-term treatment for your injuries. Our Houston dog bite attorney has experience working with injury victims who’ve suffered a variety of conditions.
We work with medical professionals and other parties to document your injuries and prove that you deserve compensation for pain, treatment, and other losses. Victims of dog bites count on us to file a strong claim for the following types of injuries:
- Puncture wounds
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Dislocations
- Joint injuries
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Concussions
- Soft tissue damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Head and neck injuries
- Eye and facial injuries
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage and amputations caused by infection
An experienced Houston dog bite attorney can evaluate the unique ways the injury has impacted your life. Whether you need reconstructive surgery or long-term care, we’ll pursue the resources you need to support your treatment and recovery.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Dog Bite Injury Case in Texas?
Dog bite injury claims can be complicated. Texas doesn’t have a specific dog bite injury law on the books. What you’ll have to prove will depend on the dog’s history. According to the Texas Supreme Court rulings on the matter, “one bite” and “strict liability” rules apply. This means:
- Once a dog’s owner knows about their dog’s dangerous behavior pattern, they may be liable for any further damage inflicted by the dog.
- If the owner has no reason to believe the dog is dangerous, they can be liable for damages if they were negligent.
Assume a dog has bitten or attacked in the past. The dog’s owner is presumed to know that the dog is dangerous. If the dog then bites or injures you, you don’t have to prove that the owner was somehow careless or irresponsible to hold them accountable.
Our Houston dog bite lawyers have a deep understanding of the one bite rule and can build a well-supported case for you. Whether we have to go through the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy or file a dog bite lawsuit, we’ll take the steps required to get the best outcome possible.
How Is Negligence Proven in a Houston Dog Bite Injury Case?
Victims must establish four elements to win a negligence case. Our Houston dog bite law firm will gather the evidence we need to prove the following four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: The dog owner had a legal responsibility to act reasonably and prevent their animal from harming others, such as keeping the dog leashed, restrained, or properly contained.
- Breach of duty: The owner failed to meet that responsibility, whether by letting the dog roam off-leash, ignoring known aggressive behavior, or violating local leash laws.
- Causation: The animal owner’s failure directly caused the dog attack and your injuries. In other words, the bite wouldn’t have happened if the owner had acted responsibly.
- Damages: You suffered real, measurable losses as a result, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or emotional trauma.
All dog owners have a responsibility to keep their animals under control to prevent injuries. If a dog owner did not take proper care and caused an attack that injured you, our dog bite lawyers in Houston will seek compensation for your medical costs and other losses.
Premises Liability Laws in Texas Dog Bite Cases
Dog owners are always responsible for their animals. But sometimes, a party besides the owner might have to pay you.
Premises liability laws say property owners must keep their places reasonably safe. If you were visiting a business or other public place, the owner may be responsible if they allowed a dangerous dog onto the premises.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Dog Bite Injury in Texas?
Most personal injury victims in Texas are subject to a two-year deadline. If you fail to file a personal injury lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, you will be deemed to forfeit your right to damages.
One important exception to this general rule involves children. When a minor is the victim, their parent is entitled to take legal action on behalf of the child. When they don’t, the child has their own statute of limitations, which doesn’t start to run until their 18th birthday.
Call an Experienced Houston Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
Don’t wait to get the legal assistance you need after a dog bite injury. Our team at Attorney Brian White is always here to discuss your case, the one bite rule, and any other laws that may apply to your situation. Call today to learn how an experienced Houston dog bite lawyer can fight for you.
We will meet with you for a free consultation to discuss the dog bite incident and answer your questions about filing a claim. We will explain how our team uses medical documents, police reports, surveillance videos, and other evidence to prove you deserve fair compensation.