Most dog owners love and adore their pets and understandably so. Our dogs give us unconditional love and loyalty, and they care absolutely nothing about your age, your looks, or the size of your bank account. In contrast to humans, those kinds of things mean nothing to our dogs who love us without reservations of any kind.
On the other hand, dogs can be territorial and aggressive, and as the American Veterinary Medical Association points out, any dog can bite, big or small, male or female, young or old. And it’s not a dog’s breed that determines if it will bite, but instead its their individual history and behavior.
Unfortunately, as loving as most dogs are, dog bites are a very common occurrence in the U.S., as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the CDC, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S. each year, and approximately 800,000 of these victims require medical attention.
Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be seriously injured with puncture wounds, nerve, muscle or bone damage. Further, most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while they were interacting in some way with the dogs.
Dog bites, unfortunately, are a common occurrence in the U.S. If you, your child or another loved one is the victim of a dog bite, you need to secure the assistance of an experienced dog bite lawyer in San Antonio who will work to secure the compensation to which you are entitled because of your injuries.
A Quick Summary – Texas Dog Bite Laws
In Texas law, the “one bite” rule prevails, meaning a dog owner can be held liable for any harm inflicted on another person by a dog or other domestic animal. Texas law provides that the person or persons bitten have the right to recover compensation if the dog has been aggressive in the past or has bitten another person.
To secure compensation you must prove that:
- The dog’s owner knew their dog had bitten someone previously or had exhibited aggressive behavior toward another person (not another animal) in the past.
- The owner was negligent in preventing the bite and controlling the dog.
- This negligence was the direct cause of the dog bite victim’s injuries.
Texas Statute of Limitations For Dog Bite Claims
If your dog bite case meets the criteria we have listed, you have the right to file a lawsuit to recover damages for the injuries you have suffered, however, time is of the essence. Under Texas law, the injured party has two years from the time of the dog bite to file a lawsuit, and if you fail to meet this deadline you will lose your right to compensation for your injuries.
Hiring An Experienced San Antonio Dog Bite Attorney: Prove An Owner’s Liability
As a victim of a dog bite, to recover damages you must prove the owner was both liable and negligent, and the owner not only knew their dog was aggressive but failed to take reasonable measures to prevent the attack.
Depending on the severity of the attack, as a dog bite injury victim you may be able to recover the following compensation:
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future coverages of medical care
- Lost wages
- Punitive damages
- Property damages
You can be assured, however, that the dog owner will probably make numerous claims and excuses, and if they’re insured, their insurance company will probably offer you only a pittance in trying to get the case settled and closed. Please don’t accept their offer.
To secure the compensation to which you are rightly entitled for the injuries you’ve suffered, you need to hire an experienced dog bite attorney to be your advocate, and the Hernandez Law Office can provide that vital assistance.
If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite attack, we urge you to contact Hernandez Law to schedule a free consultation. One of our attorneys will carefully review your case, and we’ll work with you to ensure you receive the just compensation to which you are entitled.
Hernandez Law Office
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