Dog Bites & Dog Attacks

Why You Should Be Cautious Around Man's Best Friend

Every year, two percent of the United States population is bitten by a dog. Canines make great pets--Mark Anderson loves his Golden Retriever, Andie, and his Labrador Retriever, Ellie. But occasionally, defense instincts kick in and dogs attack, often causing devastating injuries. Texas is no exception to these incidents and reports of adults and children attacked by dogs frequent the local news here in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Not all dog attacks or dog bites result in a winnable claim. Each case depends on whether the dog had ever acted in a dangerous manner before and/or if the dog was provoked. The dog breed is also relevant. Our office has handled all kinds of dog bite and dog attack cases in the past and would be glad to provide you with a free consultation to discuss the circumstances of the attack involving you or a loved one.

When a dog bite victim makes a claim, it is against the owner of the dog. The owner is a person whose homeowner's insurance will most likely be responsible for paying the compensation to the injured party, as long as the appropriate usual standards are met. Occasionally, the dog owner is a business and, in such situations, there is usually similar insurance which will provide coverage.

Dogs Are Defensive Animals

One of the most common scenarios for dog bites is their self defense mechanism. If a dog is not properly socialized as a puppy, it may not learn what is ‘safe' and what is potentially harmful. These dogs are often overly defensive, and any sort of fear manifests as aggression. These dogs are known as fear-biters.

Unfortunately, most people cannot tell just by looking at a dog whether or not he's a fear biter. If a child runs up to pet a dog with fear-aggression issues, that dog is likely to snap as soon as the child gets too close. The same thing goes for adults. The dog thinks it is defending itself from a potentially dangerous situation.

The dog's owner is responsible for making sure the dog does not attack or bite an innocent person. This responsibility should be taken seriously by all dog owners.

Talk to A Board Certified Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Case

If you have been hurt by a dog, don't wait to file your claim. The Statute of Limitations on dog bites in Texas is two years. Sometimes, exceptions are made for minors, but the sooner you seek help, the more thorough the insurance company can be in assessing damages. This means you have a greater chance of recovering compensation quickly.

All of our cases are on a contingency basis, meaning, if the outcome isn't favorable, you pay nothing. It's as simple as that.

Our firm wants to help you recover damages for the medical bills and emotional stress an incident like a dog bite may cause. If you or someone you know has been hurt by a dog bite, please call us at 817-294-1900 or Contact Us Online.

Helpful Resources: