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Unfortunately, thousands of Americans suffer dog bite injuries every single year. In many cases, these injuries are minor and can be resolved on their own. In other instances, the bite injury may be serious and the person bitten by the dog may want to take legal action against the owner. As you can imagine, these types of cases are quite complicated and require the knowledge and expertise of a good personal injury lawyer. It is important to note that dog bite laws differ from state to state. In Texas, dog bite victims can seek compensation from whoever is liable for the attack, usually the dog owner.
If you have been bitten by an animal, the very first thing you should do is seek medical attention. You likely do not know if the dog is up-to-date on his or her shots, which could put you at risk of serious injury, infection, or even death. After you have received medical attention, it may be time to call a lawyer. A good personal injury attorney will be able to tell you right away if you have a case on your hands and, if so, what damages you may be owed.
Texas Dog Bite Rule
Texas is one of the harshest states in the nation regarding dog bites. In fact, the Lone Star State carries some of the largest penalties for owners of dogs that have attacked or bitten someone. When looking at dog bite cases in Texas, perhaps the most important thing to consider is that Texas is a “one bite rule” state. This means that a dog bite victim has the right to recover compensation if that dog has bitten someone before, or even acted as if they were going to injure someone. However, it can be difficult to prove these circumstances, which is yet another reason why you should have a dog bite lawyer on your side.
Pursuing a Dog Bite Injury Case
If you are considering moving forward with a dog bite personal injury case, you must be able to prove negligence. That is, you must have evidence that shows the dog bite owner was negligent or acted irresponsibly, resulting in the dog lashing out and biting someone. Another example of this would be if you brought a stray dog into your home and it injured someone. Because you acted recklessly, you may be liable for any damages.
Furthermore, you must also be able to prove that the defendant is the owner of the dog. While this is usually relatively easy, it can be difficult if the animal is not registered. Once you have shown who the dog owner is, you can then work on providing this individual had a duty to prevent the animal from harming anyone. If you can, you may have a personal injury case on your hands.
Although every dog bite case is a bit different from the next, settlements are usually based on the following:
- Does the dog bite owner believe he or she will be held liable?
- What is the estimated amount a jury would award to a dog bite victim after a trial?
To learn more about dog bite settlements or lawsuits, please contact Green Law today. One of our personal injury lawyers can answer any questions you may have and help you move forward with your case today.
