The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that an estimated 4.5 million people receive treatment for dog bite injuries each year in the U.S. While the majority of these injuries may be minor, some can lead to enduring psychological trauma, such as fear and anxiety, significantly diminishing a victim’s quality of life.
If you’ve been attacked by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. To pursue a successful claim, consider engaging a compassionate and assertive Cypress dog bite lawyer who is experienced in handling such cases. Since retaining a personal injury attorney from our firm costs nothing upfront, there’s no reason to allow a negligent dog owner to evade responsibility.
A common defense tactic employed by those liable for dog bites is to shift the blame to the injured party. They may attempt to claim that you were trespassing on private property at the time of the attack. While there may be some truth to this assertion, it shouldn’t deter you from pursuing compensation. However, it’s worth noting that if the claim of trespassing is substantiated, the amount you are able to recover could be significantly reduced, depending on your degree of fault.
In Texas, if your liability falls between 1%-49%, you may still be eligible to recover damages, although the amount will be proportionally reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you will lose the right to recover any damages. However, the comparative negligence rule, or shared fault rule, should not prevent you from filing a claim. This underscores the importance of having a Cypress lawyer who is well-versed in how these rules apply to your dog bite case, to help you navigate these complexities and advocate for your rights.
It’s not uncommon for dogs to bite and injure individuals familiar to their owners, such as friends or neighbors. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you might feel uncertain about how to proceed. Fortunately, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance often covers damages caused by a dog bite. In this scenario, your attorney would negotiate with the insurance company, rather than the dog owner, to cover your expenses.
In a civil personal injury case, the plaintiff seeks to recover damages for losses incurred as a result of the injury. A successful dog bite claim may result in compensation for:
Economic damages are objective and quantifiable, representing the financial losses you have endured. These might include past and future lost wages, medical expenses, and costs related to rehabilitation and therapy. A seasoned dog attack lawyer can work with financial experts to assess not only your current losses but also future financial implications.
Compensation for intangible losses is equally significant, though challenging to quantify. Non-economic damages encompass elements such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of quality of life, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), among others. Engaging medical professionals like psychologists may be necessary to assign a monetary value to these intangible losses. To comprehensively evaluate the full extent of the damages you’ve endured, consider retaining our Cypress dog bite attorney.
Should your case proceed to trial, you might have the opportunity to be awarded punitive damages. These are intended to punish the defendant for their negligence and serve as a warning to others who might act similarly. Unlike other forms of compensation meant to make you whole again, punitive damages focus on the defendant’s actions. In Texas, these are also known as exemplary damages and are only available in instances where the defendant demonstrates an extreme disregard for the risk of injury.
In particular cases, a dog owner might face both civil and criminal liabilities following a dog attack. According to the Texas Health & Safety Code section 822.005, the dog owner could be charged with a felony if:
Even if the dog owner is exonerated in a criminal lawsuit, it doesn’t preclude you from pursuing a civil claim. Both cases operate on distinct legal bases, nuances of which an experienced lawyer specializing in dog bite claims can elucidate.
A dog attack can lead to a variety of injuries, regardless of whether you’re knocked down or bitten. Potential injuries include:
The severity of these injuries can range, impacting areas such as the torso, neck, arms, and limbs. In extreme cases, an attack may result in disfigurement or permanent paralysis. Seeking immediate medical attention after a dog bite is vital, as some injuries may lead to infections. Our dog attack attorneys will collaborate with your medical team to demonstrate the gravity of the damages you have endured.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to a negligent dog owner, you have the right to pursue legal action. A Cypress dog bite attorney could assist you in seeking compensation from the party at fault. Contact us to learn more about dog bite lawsuits in Texas during a free consultation.
