Dogs are widely known for their love and companionship with humans since time immemorial. Since then, dog rearing has evolved over the years. Some dog owners keep them for security purposes, while others just love their company and keep them as pets. However, even the seemingly most harmless dogs can cause harm when they attack and bite other people, resulting in personal injuries and occasionally property damage. When this happens, you may need the services of a Texas dog bite lawyer.
According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, at least 4.7 million Americans sustain dog bites every year. 800,000 require medical treatment. Sadly, some of these bites are catastrophic, and when a dog owner is to blame for an attack, legal charges may be instituted. Our team of attorneys can help you pursue legal action for compensation if your injuries stemmed from the careless behavior of a homeowner or pet parents.
Are Dog Bites Worth Hiring an Attorney For?
Being the victim of a dog bite can be emotionally, financially, and physically devastating. But despite having increased cases of dog bites in Texas, the majority of them go unreported, leaving injured parties to nurse serious injuries on their own. For those who opt to take the long road and seek compensation from insurance companies of the dog owner or from the dog owner themselves, the end result may prove to be fruitless without the assistance of a local attorney. This is because many dog owners, as well as their home insurance that covers dog bites, do not take a canine attack claim seriously without the threat of filing a claim in the civil court system. Such cases often end in futility.
Without an attorney, insurance companies may use their opportunity to persuade claimants into accepting poor settlements for the damages incurred. As such, dog bite victims often get into bad settlement agreements because they are unaware that the law provides a leeway through which they can easily file a claim. Additionally, insurance companies know too well that many victims do not know their rights. Even those who do still find it increasingly difficult to face off with aggressive insurance adjusters. In these scenarios, hiring a passionate Texas dog bite attorney is the only recourse that guarantees fairness and the protection of your rights.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Texas, call (832) 449-8230
Recovering Damages after a Canine Attack
If you or your loved ones have been injured in a local canine attack, there exists a wide array of losses you may incur in the days to come. Some of them may not seem to be worth a claim, but a dog bite lawyer in our area cam help you evaluate each case and provide representation if your case requires an attorney. If your injury resulted in scarring or required medical treatment, it is likely that a lawyer would add value to your case. You may be entitled to the following non-economic damages, which are based on your psychological and emotional well-being:
- Pain and suffering
- Humiliation
- Stress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Anxiety
- Physical impairment
- Grief
However, each dog bite case is quite different from the other, and this may leave you questioning whether to file a lawsuit or not. With a Texas lawyer on your side, you will be equipped with the basic know-how in matters revolving around dog bites, even if your attorney does not recommend full litigation.
Texas Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (832) 449-8230
Medical Bills Incurred
Many dog bites require immediate and continuous medical assessment and treatment to ensure that the injuries do not worsen or cause infection. Given the magnitude of the attack, treatments costs can escalate to points where you may need thousands of dollars for medications, surgeries, and therapy. Even if you have medical insurance, you are still likely to incur out-of-pocket expenses.
Contrary to popular belief, insurance policies do not automatically cover all medical costs. As such, you may be required to dig deeper into your pockets to sustain the healing process. This can be a challenge, given that your source of income may be affected by your dog bite injury. Our skilled legal team can help you by arranging for medical care that works with your needs, as well as ensuring that the parties at fault are brought to justice by paying for all past and future treatment costs.
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Lost Wages
People who get injured through dog bites are often unable to undertake their daily activities, such as going to work, especially when the injuries are severe. While taking a short sick leave from work can help with recovery more so in cases involving minor injuries, being indisposed from work for an indefinite or long time could result in loss of income.
Having to nurse serious injuries that keep you away from work for weeks, months, or years can be devastating in your professional life. No employer can pay you for work not performed, no matter how severe your injuries are. As a result, you may end up losing substantial wages from your injury. For this reason, it is advisable to consult with our experienced Texas canine bite attorney to help you seek compensation for lost wages and other financial benefits you may have been entitled to.
Maximizing the Value of Compensation
If you have witnessed a compensation claim for injuries and damages before, you may understand that insurance companies have no intention to offer fair settlement upfront. In most cases, they will manipulate victims into accepting low settlement offers, given that many victims do not know their rights, and also lack legal representation in such cases. However, our attorneys can fight for you to the end by seeing to it that you get the full amount of compensation you deserve for the injuries sustained. This will go a long way in helping you get the medical attention you deserve and easily pick from where you left before the canine attack.
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Contact a Texas Dog Bite Attorney Today
Consulting a Texas dog bite lawyer will set the stage for a legal battle between you, the insurance company, and the dog owner. It may be challenging to fight this battle alone, as a wrong move may result in forfeiting your right to compensation. Furthermore, you may focus on treatment and recover for too long that you forget to work on your case.
The insurance company and dog owner will take the case more seriously if you let a lawyer represent you. By so doing, they will have no other option but to cooperate and compensate you. They will not be able to manipulate your lawyer into accepting a low settlement offer and will be less likely to risk going to court when you have competent legal counsel. Your attorney can lay out the evidence to allow for the insurance company to quickly and easily resolve the claim
These are just a sneak preview of what a lawyer from our firm can do for you. For more details on how to file a dog bite lawsuit in our area, please contact us and schedule a consultation with our experienced attorneys today.
Call or text (832) 449-8230 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form