The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that at least 4.5 million people are treated for dog bite injuries every year in the U.S. While most of these injuries are minor, some cause long-lasting psychological harm to victims. Living with fear and anxiety can tremendously lower the quality of life.
You may be compensated for your losses following a dog attack. All you need is a compassionate and assertive Cypress dog bite lawyer who understands what it takes to make a successful claim. Since retaining a personal injury attorney from our firm is free, you shouldn’t let a negligent dog owner walk away scot-free.
A tactic that many offenders use to deny liability is blaming the injured person. They often do this by claiming you were trespassing on private property. While this could be true, you shouldn’t shy away from standing your ground and pursuing compensation. However, if it’s true, the amount recoverable may be significantly reduced based on your degree of fault.
If your liability is between 1%-49%, you can still recover some damages. The only difference is that this margin will reduce your compensation. If you are 50% at fault or above, you lose your right to recover any damages. The comparative negligence rule, or shared fault rule, shouldn’t bar you from filing a claim. This is the more reason you should have a Cypress lawyer who understands how these rules affect your dog bite case.
It is common for dogs to bite and injure persons well-known to their owners. For example, you may be visiting a friend or neighbor when you are attacked. When this happens, you might be at a crossroads, not knowing what to do. Fortunately, the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance will be able to step in to pay for the damages caused. This means your attorney will be negotiating with the insurance companies and not the dog owner.
In any civil personal injury case, the plaintiff seeks to recover damages for losses incurred due to an injury. As with most personal injury cases, a successful dog bite claim can result in compensation for:
Economic damages are objective and quantifiable losses that an injured person suffers. They may include lost wages, future lost earnings, medical expenses, and costs for rehabilitation and therapy. Although most of these losses are past or present, an experienced dog attack lawyer can work with financial experts to approximate your future losses.
Getting fairly compensated for intangible losses is just as important. However, these damages are difficult to put a price tag on. They cover pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of quality of life, Post-Traumatic Disorders, among others. A medical expert such as a psychologist may help illustrate a dollar figure to these losses. To establish the full extent of damages you suffered, retain our Cypress dog bite attorney.
If your case goes to trial, you stand a chance to be awarded punitive damages. They seek to punish the defendant for their negligence and caution other like-minded parties from committing the same offense. These damages are only available in a court process and are not meant to make you whole again. Punitive damages (or exemplary damages, as they are known under Texas law) are only available in cases where the defendant shows an extreme disregard for the risk of injury.
In some unique circumstances, the dog owner may face both civil and criminal liabilities. Under the Texas Health & Safety Code section 822.005, the dog owner may face a felony if:
Even if the dog owner is cleared of any wrongdoing in a criminal lawsuit, you shouldn’t give up on filing a civil claim. Both cases are based on different legal grounds, which a seasoned lawyer familiar with big bite claims can explain.
When a dog attacks you, regardless of whether you are knocked down or bitten, you may suffer:
Depending on how vicious the attack is, you may also suffer injuries to your torso, neck, arms, and limbs. Extreme cases may result in disfigurement or permanent paralysis. It’s essential to seek immediate medical evaluation following a dog bite, as some injuries may be infectious. Our dog attack attorneys will work closely with your physician to prove the seriousness of the damages you suffered.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to a negligent dog owner, you have the right to take legal action. A Cypress dog bite lawyer could help you fight for compensation from the at-fault party. Contact us to learn more about dog bite lawsuits in Texas in a free consultation.
