Injuries From Dog Bites

Dogs are usually man’s best pet and friend. Unfortunately, if a dog is in the hands of inappropriate owners this is not always true. Although dog bites sometime only result in minor injuries, they can result in severe injury. These severe injuries can result in large medical expenses and, possibly, even physical or emotional trauma, especially if in injury involves small children. The seriousness of the injuries depends on the circumstances surrounding the bit, exact situation and the people involved.

At the Carabin Shaw, our experienced attorneys have litigated many cases involving dog bites in San Antonio and around Texas. We understand the complex issues involved in these cases. We especially understand the trauma that children can suffer and even can be suffered by parents who see their beloved children attacked. If a dog bites someone, frequently it is possible to get damages and compensation out of the owner or owner’s family’s homeowner’s insurance. This allows the victim to deal with any injuries he or she may have suffered.

Call us at Carabin Shaw, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call 800-862-1260.

Contact law enforcement (or animal control) and make sure that they will fill out an report detailing the incident.

Make sure that any injuries and/or medical needs are taken care of.

Get as much detailed information about the dog’s owner as is possible, specifically, always get the name and address of the owner. Get all possible information about any prior vicious behavior. Find out whether the dog’s vaccinations are up-to-date. Also get the contact information and names of any witnesses.

Contact one of our experienced attorneys and discuss any financial and legal concerns arising from the incident.

Call us at Carabin Shaw, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call 800-862-1260.

Texas does not actually technically have a dog bite statute on its books. Texas uses what is usually known to most people as a “one bite rule.” This basically indicates that the dog bite victim can get compensation out of the dog’s owner if the owner knows that dog bit someone previously or the same kind of behavior. This makes our investigation after the dog bite incident key in discovering dog’s history of behavior and what the owner knew and when they knew it. It is important to figure out if the dog is dangerous on its own, or if it was provoked by someone, including possibly the owner.

Like a lot of injury claims, dog bite cases can be brought based upon negligence. This is when owner owed the victim a duty, the duty was breached by the owner, and the breach of duty caused the injury. Some cities and counties also have laws and ordinances adding for extra requirements regarding animals. These can include requiring leashes for dogs, setting out areas in which dogs cannot go, etc. Sometimes, victims may be able to allege (with the help of an attorney) that there was negligence “per se” because the owner’s behavior automatically broke the local law.

When a victim recovers a settlement after a serious dog bite, it is frequently paid by the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance. In other cases when the owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t pay because of policy exclusions or specific circumstances, victims may usually recover owner directly.

Call us at Carabin Shaw, we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call 800-862-1260.