Dog bites and other types of animal attacks may cause devastating injuries or death. Dog owners in Texas have a duty to guarantee the safety of the general public as stipulated by leashing laws. In case someone is attacked and injured, premises liability laws may be enforced to help pursue legal action against negligent owners.
If you were hurt or attacked by a dog, our caring Bellaire dog bite lawyers understand how traumatizing the experience can be. Even without physical harm, an attack may cause life-long emotional disorders such as PTSD. We are happy to help you find justice for your injuries and losses. Please call our trusted Bellaire personal injury lawyers today to learn more about dog bite lawsuits and we may be of assistance.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Injuries following a dog attack may be mild or severe. Although most of them are minor, some can be life-threatening. Injuries to look out for include:
- Nerve damage
- Brain injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Face and neck injuries
- Disfigurement
- Torn ligaments and muscles
Immediate medical care is essential after a dog bite. Ensure that you also follow up with treatment as advised by your doctor. While you’re at it, enlist the legal services of a skilled Bellaire dog bite attorney to evaluate your eligibility for compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Bellaire, call (832) 449-8230
Steps to Take Following a Dog Bite
The steps you take right after any personal injury including a dog attack are crucial. Remember, your legal rights matter just as your overall well-being does. Hence, it is important to ensure that you make the right decisions immediately after an injury. Following a dog bite injury, you should:
- Seek immediate medical care since dog bites are infectious and may cause serious bodily harm
- Report the attack to the property manager or premises owner
- Photograph your injuries
- Report the attack to relevant state agencies such as the Texas Animal Health Commission
- Report your injuries to relevant insurance carriers
- Discuss your injuries with a dog bite attorney
Following the aforementioned steps will help put you on the rights side of the law in case you wish to pursue legal action for compensation. For instance, failure to seek medical care after an injury is a loophole many insurance companies use to deny victims their rightful compensation. Since the need for settlement may not be apparent immediately after an injury, it is important to protect your rights by working with a skilled Bellaire dog bite attorney.
Bellaire Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (832) 449-8230
When a Familiar Dog is Involved
Sometimes, the animals that cause us harm are no strangers at all. In such scenarios, it may seem near-impossible to find justice without constraining our relationships with friends, family, or neighbors. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry if the dog that attacked you belongs to any of these parties. In most cases, homeowners carry insurance that covers animal attacks. When pursuing compensation, the claim will be handled by insurance companies and not the individual dog owners. You may retain our Bellaire dog bite attorneys to handle insurance companies professionally, so as to avoid any discords between you and the other party.
Click to contact our Personal Injury Lawyers in Bellaire today
Compensation Following a Dog Bite Injury
Dog injury victims have a right to monetary compensation when the attack results from negligence. Because animal owners must ensure the safety of other people, they must see to it that their dogs are leashed when in public, or restrained if they tend to attack. Any failure to do what is reasonable is deemed as a breach of duty. If you can prove these two elements and causation, you may be eligible for damages such as:
- Lost wages for the time not worked
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Medical expenses
- Permanent disability
In case someone is killed in a dog attack, their surviving estate may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for loss of consortium, loss of companionship, medical expenses, funeral expenses, and lost financial premiums. A compassionate Bellaire dog bite attorney is the greatest asset you can retain in your case.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Cases in Texas
Dog bite victims have a maximum of two years to file an injury case according to the Texas Statute of Limitations. However, there may be variations depending on the facts of your case, thus the more reason you need a Bellaire dog bite lawyer. Time flies so fast that you may not realize the lapse of this limitation. But with a dedicated legal team by your side, you can easily focus on treatment while they follow up with your case. Call us today to schedule a one-on-one meeting with our Bellaire dog bite lawyers.
Call or text (832) 449-8230 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form