Can I Sue After a Dog Bite in Austin?

Dogs can be great companions. Unfortunately, under certain circumstances, some dogs are inclined to feel threatened and react to the perceived threat with violence to protect themselves. Such episodes can lead to injuries and damage for those nearby. Especially in a dog- and pedestrian-friendly town like Austin, where many restaurants and diners include patios for customers with pets, the safety of others can sometimes be at risk.

Most parties involved in an animal attack will typically attempt to settle the dispute at the scene. But sometimes the animal’s owner, especially if he or she is a stranger, may not maintain the same friendly sense that you might expect under these circumstances. In these cases, victims in a case of dog bite injury can resort to legal action. Worse, the attack resulted in serious injury, the victim may need an experienced lawyer to cover their expenses.

Victims in any incidence of an Austin dog bite can sue the dog’s owner to obtain necessary compensation for various areas of pain, suffering, financial loss, and inconvenience after the incident.

Some of the most common forms of dog bite damage costs that you may be eligible to obtain compensation for include:

• Cuts and lacerations
• Deep-tissue damage
• Time away from work and lost wages
• Rehabilitation and long-term care
• Medication costs
• Surgery procedures
• Damaged property replacement
• Pain and suffering

As you work with your lawyer to determine the best course of action after the incident, there are a few steps you can take to preserve and strengthen your claim. Some easy ways to reinforce your own chances of compensation following Austin dog bites or animal attacks typically are to:

• Take pictures and document everything: If you have been injured, you’ll want to document your claim; take pictures of all injuries at every stage, especially if your condition worsens. Save all paperwork, including medical bills, and medication receipts. Documented proof of damages, both medical and financial, is your greatest ally when pursuing legal action against personal injuries.
• Identify the animal: Find out where the dog came from. In the moment immediately after the bite, you are the one best situated to find out. If you had to flee or seek immediate medical assistance, have a friend or family member search for and follow the dog back to its home. If the dog turns out to be a stray, Austin municipal services need to be immediately notified before it hurts anyone else.
• Consult with a lawyer: The presence of an attorney can help you assemble the facts of your case, prove the owner’s negligence, talk to witnesses, and evaluate the summation of damage compensation to which you are rightly entitled. Especially when other parties are difficult to deal with – or attempt to cheat you to save themselves money – legal representation can help protect your chances of physical and financial recovery.

If you find yourself asking, ‘can I sue after a dog bite in Austin,’ it is important to keep in mind that no two set of circumstances are exactly the same. One reason that an attorney may be your best tool to pursue recourse is the fact that no local Austin or Texas state statute directly covers civil liability in cases of dog bites. Laws in Texas do, however dictate a policy of ‘negligence’, or a ‘one bite rule’. This means that if anyone is injured by another person’s dog, the injured party must be able to prove one (or both) of these aspects:

1. That the animal displayed flashes of potential violence in past situations, or the owner is aware of the dog’s prior propensity to bite and has failed to do anything about it.
2. The animal’s owner displayed negligence or lack of effort to restrain the animal and prevent the incident from occurring.

For more information regarding your ability to obtain compensation through suing after a dog bite in Austin, contact the knowledgeable lawyers from the law firm of Carabin Shaw today. Our attorneys have over 20 years of experience handling all forms of personal injury cases, including dog bites and other animal injury lawsuits, and our attorneys offer all potential clients a preliminary consultation free of charge to help make you aware of your best options moving forward.

The Austin accident lawyers from Carabin Shaw want to help you obtain maximum restitution and restore your life. If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury or bite brought on by an owner’s inability to properly restrain or train their dog, call our experienced lawyers at our Austin offices at 512-832-1101 or anytime toll-free at 800-682-1260.