DOG BITES ATTORNEY IN
MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS

According to a study published in Vet World, there were 6,683 dog bites reported to Harris County Veterinary Public Health from 2013 to 2016, which equals an average of 1,671 dog bites a year. Unfortunately, due to poor training, neglectful owners, and unforeseen circumstances, dog bites occur more often than they should.

In many cases, the victim of a dog bite, whether they are a child or an adult, deserves to be compensated for the expenses caused by their injuries. As an experienced Texas personal injury attorney, I understand how Texas dog bite law applies to different cases and how premises liability can also affect your case.

When you need to take control after a serious bodily injury such as a dog bite, you can count on me to provide you with one-on-one attention to help you seek justice. K.E. Bradley Attorney & Counselor at Law is proud to represent clients in Missouri City, Texas, as well as Sugar Land, Katy, Friendswood, and the nearby areas.

TEXAS DOG BITE LAW

The law regarding dog bites varies from state to state. In Texas, multiple laws govern dog bite cases, and one of those laws involves the “one-bite rule.”

The one-bite rule essentially states that if the dog had already bitten someone in the past and the owner was aware of that first bite, then the dog’s one free pass that releases the owner from liability is no longer valid. 

Also, if the owner was negligent and did not use reasonable care to control the dog and prevent the bite, then the one-bite rule may not apply even if your injury was the dog’s first bite known to the owner. Speak with an experienced Texas personal injury attorney to learn more.

LIABILITY IN A DOG BITE CASE

To prove that the owner of the dog should be held liable for the costs caused by the dog bite, certain criteria must be met. You must be able to prove that the individual is in fact the owner of the dog and that the individual neglected to perform his or her duty of care to control the dog. This failure to perform the duty of care is usually how liability is proven.

COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE

Sometimes, the victim of the dog bite was partially at fault for the accident occurring. For example, if someone was trespassing on the owner’s land and the dog was defending its territory when the victim was bitten, then the trespassing will play a role in the case.

In Texas, if the victim was partially at fault for the accident occurring, then any compensation they could receive for the bite would be reduced by the percentage that the accident was their fault. If the victim is found to be more than 50% at fault for the dog bite, then he or she will not be eligible for compensation at all. 

FILING A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM

When you are facing medical bills and other expenses due to a dog bite, filing a personal injury claim can help you secure the funds that you need to aid your recovery.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

The statute of limitations is the deadline after which you can no longer file a case. For personal injury claims in Texas, the statute of limitations is two years after the date of the accident. Once two years have passed, you will no longer be able to file a personal injury claim against the owner of the dog who bit you.

AVAILABLE DAMAGES

The compensation that you may be able to receive if you were attacked by a dog will depend on a number of different factors. You may be able to receive compensation for the damages that the accident caused you. Damages could be awarded for medical expenses and for other losses as well. Speak with a Texas attorney who is experienced in dog bite law to learn more.