Dog attacks can be violent events that result in severe injuries. A serious dog attack can lead to thousands of dollars in medical costs and ongoing care, as well as permanent disabilities. Pursuing fair financial compensation for your dog bite injury as a victim in Texas takes an understanding of who is responsible under the state’s dog bite laws and a dog bite injury lawyer in Austin is here to help you.
What Is Texas’s Dog Bite Law?
The party you are able to hold liable, or legally and financially responsible, for a dog bite injury depends on the laws in the state where the incident took place. Most states use either a strict liability or one-bite rule to determine dog bite liability. Texas is a one-bite state.
Under Texas law, the owner of a dog that bites or injures someone can be held liable for the victim’s medical bills (plus other losses, such as lost wages and pain and suffering) only if the owner had reason to know that the dog could attack. In other words, a dog must have bitten someone or otherwise shown signs of aggression at a date prior to the attack.
It is also possible to hold a pet owner liable for a dog bite injury on the legal grounds of negligence. In personal injury law, someone is negligent if he or she falls short of the required standards of care. If a pet owner unlawfully allowed a dog to run at large in Texas, for example, this can be enough to hold the owner liable for a resultant dog attack.
Can Someone Other Than the Dog Owner Be Held Liable?
In certain circumstances, it may be possible to hold someone other than the dog owner liable for your injuries. If someone else was in control of the dog at the time of the attack (e.g., a dog sitter or pet walker), for example, this individual could be liable for negligently failing to prevent the incident.
Another possibility in terms of dog bite liability is a property owner in Texas. If a property owner or controller – including a landlord – negligently allows a known dangerous dog to remain on the premises, he or she could be held legally responsible for a harmful attack.
How to Seek Fair Compensation for Your Medical Bills After a Dog Attack
It is critical not to underestimate the value of your dog bite injury case in Texas. As an injured victim, you may have significant medical bills already accumulating in addition to future medical costs for a long-term injury.
You may be eligible for financial compensation for the following:
- Emergency care
- A hospital stay
- Medical treatments or surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Medical devices
- Ongoing or future care
You may be able to file a claim with the dog owner’s homeowners insurance policy in pursuit of compensation for your medical costs. Most property insurance policies cover dog bite injuries.
When Do I Need to Hire an Attorney?
Ensuring a successful dog bite injury claim in Texas may require assistance from an experienced attorney. A dog bite lawyer can help you determine who could be held legally responsible for your medical costs. Then, your lawyer can take care of claims filing processes on your behalf, including collecting evidence to support your case.
It is especially important to consult with an attorney if you or a loved one sustained catastrophic or permanent injuries in a dog attack. In this situation, an attorney can be invaluable for achieving justice and securing fair financial compensation for past and future losses. To learn more about your dog bite injury case, request a free evaluation at Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys in San Antonio.