Dog Bite Attorney in Dallas, TX

The consequences of a dog bite can be severe: excruciating pain, expensive medical treatment, emotional trauma, and much more. If you’ve been bitten by another person’s dog, you may be entitled to claim financial compensation for the medical expenses and other expenses you suffered as a result of the attack. The Dallas dog bite lawyers of Kraft & Associates, P.C. can help you pursue just compensation.

For more than 50 years, Kraft & Associates, P.C. has been helping injured people throughout the Dallas area seek the money they need to rebuild their lives after serious injuries. A Dallas dog bite lawyer can help you hold accountable a negligent dog owner who failed to take steps to prevent a dangerous dog from harming you. We can investigate the dog attack to determine liability and then pursue full compensation. Because our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, we do not charge any legal fee unless we obtain compensation for you. The initial case consultation is free.

You shouldn’t be left to pay the price of a dog owner’s negligence or disregard for safety. Let our attorneys get to work pursuing the compensation you need. Call today at (214) 999-9999 or fill our online form for a free consultation with one of our compassionate Dallas dog bite lawyers.

What to Do After a Dog Bites You

If a dog bites you in Dallas, it is important that you take the following steps to protect your health and the viability of your dog bite case:

• Let the owner of the dog know that the bite occurred. If the dog is a stray, alert animal control.
• Get the owner’s name and contact information.
• If the attack happened on commercial property, file an incident report with the manager. Remember to collect their liability insurance information.
• Wash your wound so that you do not develop an infection.
• Seek medical treatment at a hospital or clinic as soon as possible.
• If there are witnesses, collect their names and contact details.
• Maintain copies of all medical and financial documents related to the case.
• Take photos of the injury, both when it is new and at various points during the healing process.
• Hire a Dallas dog bite injury lawyer to assist with your claim.

Texas Dog Bite Laws

Texas ranks third among states with the highest number of dog bite claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute. In 2021, Texas had 1003 dog-related injury claims. Homeowner insurance claims related to dog bites averaged about $39,900 per claim. Insurers paid $40 million to resolve the dog bite claims in Texas.

Texas relies upon case law to establish a dog owner’s liability if the canine injures another person. The 1974 state Supreme Court case Marshall v. Ranne established that Texas follows the one bite rule in cases involving dog bites. In Texas, a dog is presumed not to be violent until it has bitten or attacked someone. After one incident, the dog’s owner should be aware that the dog has a propensity to bite or act aggressively. The dog owner should take steps to prevent the dog from harming others. If a dog owner fails to prevent a dangerous dog from causing injury, the dog owner may be held liable.

For your dog bite claim to be successful, you will need to demonstrate that:

• The person you are making a claim against was the owner of the dog, or in possession of the dog at the time of the attack.
• The owner of the dog was aware that the dog had behaved aggressively or had previously bitten a person.
• The owner of the dog behaved in a negligent manner, by failing to take reasonable precautions to prevent another dog bite from occurring.
• The dog bite injuries that you suffered are a result of the owner’s negligence.

Possible Injuries or Effects After a Dog Bite Accident

Dogs are descended from wolves. Like their wild ancestors, many breeds have strong jaws and sharp teeth that can tear through skin, tissue, and muscle. Large dogs have jaws that are powerful enough to crush bones. Consequently, a dog bite can lead to serious injuries including:

• Lacerations and puncture wounds
• Bruises
• Broken bones
• Facial injuries
• Nerve damage
• Infections such as rabies and tetanus
• Psychological harm, such as anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder

In extreme cases, the injuries can prove fatal. Studies have found that between 30 and 50 people are killed every year in the United States by dog attacks.

Some people require ongoing medical and psychological treatment after a dog bite injury. Aside from the physical and emotional pain and suffering the bite causes, victims may also have physical scars or psychological trauma that lasts for many years.

The experienced personal injury attorneys at Kraft & Associates, P.C. understand that dog bites have costs beyond those that are immediately apparent. Our attorneys are here to work on your behalf to seek the compensation and justice you deserve.

Time Limit on a Dog Bite Case

If you have been attacked by another person’s dog, you have a limited amount of time in which to pursue compensation. If you wait too long, you may become ineligible to file a dog bite lawsuit.

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations when it comes to filing personal injury claims. Failing to file your lawsuit within the time allowed means that the court is likely to dismiss your case as untimely. The civil courts extend the time allowed, but only under certain specific conditions.

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the attack to file your dog bite claim. If your injuries aren’t apparent until a later date, the time limit begins the day you become aware of them.

If a loved one lost their life as a result of dog bite injuries, you can file a wrongful death claim within two years of the date of their death. There are exceptions to this time limit, such as if the dog’s owner is facing criminal charges for the dog bite incident as well. In that case, you may be able to file a claim within two years of the completion of the criminal case.

Potential Damages You Can Claim after a Dog Bite Incident

You have the right to claim both economic and non-economic damages in dog bite injury cases. Economic damages compensate you for dollar-and-cent costs such as:

• Medical expenses – This includes the cost of emergency care, ambulances, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, and prescription and over-the-counter medication.
• Rehabilitation – Some bite wounds necessitate weeks, months, or even years of physical and/or occupational therapy.
• Reconstructive surgery – Dog bite victims who suffer disfiguring scars might require specialized surgical and corrective procedures.
• Assistive devices such as crutches or wheelchairs – If your bite wound caused a temporary or permanent disability, you might require an assistive device to get around.
• Psychological counseling – Anxiety disorders, phobias, and PTSD can have detrimental effects on daily life. You may require professional assistance to be able to function at your usual capacity.
• Lost earnings due to missed work – This includes both the time that you may have missed since the incident occurred and any future losses due to diminished earning capacity as a result of your injuries.
• Household cleaning or childcare – If your injuries prevent you from performing certain duties yourself, you may need to hire someone to help you handle them.

You will need documentation of these expenses in order to demonstrate that you should be compensated for them. Consequently, you should keep copies of your medical bills, receipts, and employment documents.

Non-economic damages are more challenging to determine because they do not have dollar figures attached to them. As a result, they are more subjective and are more dependent on your individual situation. Types of non-economic damages you may claim include:

• Physical pain
• Emotional suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement and disability

Contact an Experienced Dallas Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today

A dog attack can change your life in an instant. The owner of the dangerous animal should be held accountable for their negligence and you should be compensated for the losses you suffered through no fault of your own.

The legal team at Kraft & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves excellent representation when seeking compensation for their injury. We offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis. We will not charge you any fees unless we secure a financial recovery on your behalf. With Kraft & Associates representing you, you can be confident that experienced professionals are fighting for your best interests.

Contact our legal team today at (214) 999-9999 for a free consultation with an experienced Dallas dog bite injury lawyer today. We look forward to meeting you and finding out how we can help you demand the compensation you deserve.