Dog attacks can result in serious injuries, long-term physical and emotional damage, and even death. In Texas, an individual is permitted to seek financial compensation for a dog attack if the dog has bitten someone previously or the owner acted negligently (without proper care).
Examining the type of financial recovery you could potentially make as a dog bite victim can give you a better idea of what your case might be worth. Contact a dog bite injury lawyer in Houston at Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers for an evaluation of your specific case.
Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries
According to statistics, deadly dog attacks are rising in Texas, with a 180 percent increase since 2018. The cities with the largest increases are Austin and San Antonio. When a dog attacks, it can deal a high degree of damage with its claws, jaws and teeth. It can also cause injuries by knocking a victim down.
Common types of dog bite injuries include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Avulsion (the tearing away of skin)
- Bone fractures
- Facial injuries
- Ear and eye injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Amputations
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Infections and diseases
- Emotional and psychological harm
Certain dog breeds are statistically more likely to inflict critical and fatal bite injuries than others. Fatal bite data collected from 2005 to 2019 shows that the breed responsible for 66.4 percent of human fatalities was the pit bull. The second-deadliest dog breed was Rottweilers (9.8 percent), followed by mixed breeds (5.2 percent).
Types of Damages Available in a Dog Bite Claim in Texas
A dog bite injury claim in Texas is an outlet for an injured victim to be made whole again. It describes a civil lawsuit or insurance claim that seeks financial compensation (also known as damages) for the victim’s related costs and losses.
A dog bite claim could result in damages for losses such as:
- Medical bills. The costs of health care in connection with the dog attack, such as emergency services, rabies shots, surgeries, therapies, rehabilitation, psychological counseling, medications and assistive medical devices.
- Lost wages. Income or earnings forfeited by the victim due to time away from work to heal and recover, as well as any lost capacity to earn in the future because of a long-term or permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering. A non-economic damage award that can pay a victim for intangible losses, such as physical pain, emotional suffering or distress, mental anguish, loss of quality of life, or a new phobia of dogs.
The value of your dog bite injury claim will depend on the circumstances. Factors used to calculate case value include injury severity, the amount of medical care needed, the victim’s age, the impact the attack has had on the victim’s life and the insurance coverage available.
What Is the Average Value of a Dog Bite Injury Settlement in Texas?
There is no such thing as an average settlement value for a dog bite injury case. Each case is unique, with no “average” amount that will accurately gauge how much your claim is worth. Determining your case value will take an in-depth evaluation from a Discover the common types of dog bite injuries and the recovery process. Learn how Hill Law Firm can help you navigate your legal options effectively.. An attorney can analyze your losses and sources of financial compensation to maximize your case value as much as possible.