A dog attack can happen without any warning, and the injuries are often more serious than people expect. If you or someone in your family was attacked by someone else’s dog, a dog bite lawyer in Hunters Creek Village can help determine how much your claim may be worth.
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers has been handling dog bite claims across Texas since 2008, and we know exactly how insurers push back on these cases. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial, which puts pressure on the other side to settle fairly.
If you need a Hunters Creek Village personal injury lawyer who will fight for the full value of your claim, contact us today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
How Texas Dog Bite Law Works
Unlike many states, Texas does not have a specific dog bite statute that automatically holds owners liable any time their dog injures someone. Instead, Texas applies two legal theories depending on the circumstances of the attack.
The “One Bite” Rule
Also called the scienter rule, the “one bite” rule holds a dog owner strictly liable if they knew or had reason to know their dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies.
This knowledge can come from a prior bite, aggressive behavior toward people, or even the breed’s known characteristics in some cases. Once that knowledge is established, the owner is liable for any harm the dog causes, regardless of whether they were careless in the moment.
Negligence
Negligence applies when the owner had no prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous tendencies but failed to exercise reasonable care in controlling the animal. Examples include letting a dog roam off-leash in a public area, failing to secure a fence, or violating local leash ordinances. If that lack of care directly caused your injury, the owner can still be held responsible.
In practice, both theories are often pursued together. A dog bite attorney in Hunters Creek Village will investigate the dog’s history, the owner’s conduct, and the circumstances of the attack to determine the strongest path forward for your claim.
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Who Can Be Held Responsible?
In most dog bite cases, the dog’s owner is the primary liable party. But depending on where the attack happened and who was in control of the animal, other parties may also share responsibility.
- A property owner or landlord may be liable if they knew a dangerous dog was on the premises and failed to take reasonable steps to protect visitors
- A dog sitter, handler, or kennel may be liable if they were responsible for the dog at the time of the attack and failed to control it properly
- An employer may be liable if the dog was used in a work context and the attack occurred during the course of employment
Identifying every potentially liable party is important because it can significantly affect the total compensation available to you. Our team investigates thoroughly to make sure no responsible party is overlooked.
Hunters Creek Village Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (713) 500-5000
What Injuries Do Dog Bites Cause?
Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which have long-term consequences that are not immediately apparent. Our team represents clients who have suffered:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Nerve damage and loss of sensation
- Broken bones and fractures, particularly in the hands, arms, and face
- Facial injuries and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Eye injuries
- Infections, including serious conditions like cellulitis or sepsis
- Traumatic brain injuries from falls during an attack
- PTSD, anxiety, and lasting psychological trauma, particularly in children
Children are disproportionately affected by dog bites. Because of their smaller size, attacks are more likely to involve the face, neck, and head; areas where injuries tend to be more severe and more visible.
If your child was attacked, the emotional and psychological impact deserves just as much attention in your claim as the physical injuries.
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What Compensation Can You Recover?
A successful dog bite claim can cover both the financial losses the attack has caused and the personal toll it has taken on your life. Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include:
Economic Damages
- Emergency room treatment, surgery, and hospitalization
- Ongoing medical care and future treatment costs
- Reconstructive surgery and scar revision procedures
- Mental health treatment and counseling
- Lost wages from time missed at work
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term
Non-economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
The value of a dog bite claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the long-term impact on your daily life, and the strength of the evidence establishing the owner’s liability. Our team looks beyond the initial medical bills to make sure your claim reflects everything the attack has cost you.
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How Texas Fault Rules Apply
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §33.001. If you are found to be partially at fault for the attack (say, if the owner argues you provoked the dog), your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If your share of fault reaches 51% or more, you are barred from recovering anything.
Dog owners and their insurers frequently raise provocation as a defense, even in cases where the victim did nothing wrong. An experienced Hunters Creek Village dog bite attorney knows how to challenge those arguments, gather the evidence needed to establish what actually happened, and protect the full value of your claim.
Deadlines You Need to Know
In Texas, most personal injury victims have two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003. Missing that deadline permanently bars you from recovering compensation.
There is an important exception for minor children. If the victim was under 18 at the time of the attack, the two-year clock generally does not begin running until they turn 18.
However, waiting is never advisable, as evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to locate, and the dog’s history may be more difficult to establish over time. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after the attack gives your case the strongest possible foundation.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Hunters Creek Village Today
A dog attack can leave you dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and serious emotional distress, all because of someone else’s failure to control their animal.
Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured Texans, and we are ready to fight for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a dog bite lawyer in Hunters Creek Village.
Call or Text (713) 500-5000 or Complete a Case Evaluation Form