What You Need to Know About Dog Bites in Texas

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you may be wondering whether you have grounds to file a personal injury claim. You might also wonder what type of compensation you can expect if your case does go to trial.

A dog bite injury in Houston should prompt you to seek the guidance of a qualified attorney. In a case review, a professional can discuss which Texas Laws apply to your case and how those laws affect your potential compensation for injuries sustained at the hands—or teeth—of an animal.

Our firm of Houston injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw provide free case reviews to any potential client and work on a contingency plan, meaning you pay legal fees after you’ve received a fair settlement for your damages.

There are over 4.5 million dog bites in the United States each year. Dog bites are a common cause of injury, and they're especially dangerous for children. According to the CDC, children under 9 years old account for over half of all dog bite injuries among people under 19 years old.

While you'll need your own medical treatment after being bitten by an animal, one of the first things you should do is report the attack. If you live in Houston and have been bitten by an animal, the first step to take is to dial 3-1-1.

Be prepared to provide the following information:

• Identification of the animal bite victim
• Information on how to reach the victim Name, address, and phone number
• Date, time, and location of the bite
• If available, the owner's contact information
• Description of the bite

In Texas, the owner of a dog is responsible for damages caused by a dog bite or attack. The owner can be someone who owns the dog, trains it to fight, or who simply keeps it in their home. This includes:

• Anyone who owns a dog
• Any person who harbors or keeps a dog on his/her premises
• A person in charge of an animal while it is being transported by air, land or water (including vehicle accidents)

An open discussion with a lawyer will help you grasp what you need to know about dog bites in Texas and the legal measures you can take if you were bitten by a dog and are unclear how to proceed in the midst of all the anguish.

The amount of compensation you are entitled to depends on the severity of your injuries. In Texas, you may be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

You will need to prove that the dog owner was negligent in some way. For example, if the owner knew their pet was dangerous but failed to keep it contained or properly trained, then they could be held liable for any injuries that result from their negligence.

You'll also need to show that their negligence caused your injury. For example, if the victim had no prior relationship with or knowledge of the animal prior to its attack it would be hard for them to prove this element so our attorneys would likely recommend pursuing other avenues such as negligence on behalf of someone who was responsible for keeping this pet contained.

Carabin Shaw has been helping injured people for over two decades. We are devoted to seeking just compensation for our clients and their families because we are aware of the toll an animal attack can cause.

To talk about your situation with a qualified and sympathetic member of our team, please call 800-862-1260 toll free and schedule an appointment. Our staff is on standby 24/7 and can communicate with you in Spanish or English. Visit Carabin Shaw’s client reviews and see for yourself how we’ve assisted victims.