There are lots of homes with dogs in Texas. Some people have dogs as pets for companionship and other people have dogs to protect their homes. Most dogs are friendly, but there are plenty of cases where dangerous dogs inflict harm on innocent people.

Angry dog showing its' teeth.

Dog bites can be painful and traumatizing, especially to young children. Dog owners often forget that animals attack on instinct and dog bite injuries can be very serious. If you or someone you know were injured by a vicious dog, then you should know what your legal rights are.

Get in touch with Abraham Watkins today. Our law firm has handled countless dangerous dog bite claims over the years with great success, and we know that we can help your case. The best way to determine who should be held liable and whether you qualify for compensation is to obtain the services of a Katy dog bite lawyer.

Our team of Katy dog bite lawyers are skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to dog attacks. We are aware of the emotional trauma and financial burden that follows an animal attack, and we will fight aggressively on behalf of your legal rights.

Call Abraham Watkins on 713-535-9319 for a free consultation now.

Holding Negligent Dog Owners Accountable in Katy, Texas.

Dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend’ but they also have the ability to cause serious injury or death when they bite people.

More than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States of America according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 800,000 people require medical attention out of the annual 4.7 million dog bites, with half of those victims being young children.

If you suffered a dog attack and you sustained a serious injury, then you could be entitled to pursue compensation. A Katy dog bite lawyer from our law firm will fight for the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and more. Call our office for a free consultation now.

Laws Regarding Dog Bite Claims in Katy, Texas.

If a dog attacks and injures a person, then the owner could be subject to civil and criminal charges. However, criminal action does not produce compensation to the injured person. If the injured person wants to recover damages, then they will have to hire a Katy dog bite attorney and file civil charges or settle with an insurance company.

The Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.005 explains the situations in which a dog owner can be charged with a felony:

  • If the owner fails to secure their dog and it attacks a person away from the owner’s property unprovoked.
  • If the owner knew about their dangerous dog and still fail to secure their dog while away from their property.
  • If any of the above situations lead to serious bodily injury or death.

It can be confusing to understand which laws apply to your case. It is important that you hire an experienced Katy dog bite attorney to guide you through the legal system.

One Bite Rule in Katy, Texas.

Every state in America has its own dog bite laws and statutes.

Texas law includes the “one bite rule”. If a dog has bitten someone before, then the dog owner can be held liable for future bites. For example, if a dog has already bitten five people, then the sixth person who suffers a dog attack will easily be able to hold the dog owner liable for his injuries.

However, if the dog has not bitten someone before, then the case will be slightly more complicated. In this instance, dog bite lawyers will ask the dog owner if they knew that the animal would bite someone. A case will be built on the dog’s previous behavior, including situations of close-call dog attacks in the past.

Another way to hold the dog owner liable for injuries is to question whether the dog attacked the person in a situation where the dog owner was violating a law in Texas. The most common law is the local leash laws.

Lillian’s Law in Katy, Texas.

“Lillian’s Law” was a law passed by Texas in the year 2007 after a 76-year-old woman named Lillian Stiles was tragically mauled to death by a pack of pit bulls.

Lillian’s Law explains that a person is guilty of criminal negligence for failing to secure their dog/dogs in the event that their dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person at a place besides the owner’s property and the attack results in serious injury or death.

In addition, a dog owner is guilty if they were aware that their dog is dangerous and the animal makes an unprovoked attack on another person outside a secure place and it results in serious bodily injury or death.

A violation of Lillian’s Law is classed as a third-degree felony. If the dog attack results in death, then it escalates to a second-degree felony.

Establishing Negligence in Katy, Texas.

The person who suffered a dog attack could turn to general negligence personal injury law or premises liability law.

You must prove three aspects in order to establish negligence for someone causing a personal injury in Texas:

  • The negligent dog owner had a legal duty to you.
  • The negligent dog owner breached their legal duty to you.
  • The negligent dog owner caused you to suffer a personal injury.

The dog bite victim would have to demonstrate that the dog owner was negligent enough to allow the necessary circumstances to arise that led to the dog biting them.

Dangerous Dog Facts

  1. Up to 4.5 million people suffer dog bites every year.
  2. An estimate of 334,000 people are admitted to the emergency room with a dog-related injury and another 466,000 are treated in different medical settings in the United States.
  3. An unknown number of people who have suffered a dog bite will not have injuries that are considered “serious enough” to require medical attention.
  4. Almost half of all people who have been bitten are children below the age of 12 years old.
  5. 10% of people above the age of 70 years old are bitten and 20% of them are killed.

Is it Worth it to Sue For a Dog Bite?

Most of the time after you suffer a dog bite, you will incur a number of damages including medical bills, lost wages, and a potentially permanent wound. In many cases, you will have the opportunity to pursue compensation in Texas.

For the majority of personal injury claims, the biggest concern is determining whether you should sue or settle the case. Some people prefer to settle with insurance companies out of court due to their lack of legal knowledge, and other people prefer to give up without consulting with a dog bite lawyer.

It is important that you speak to a dog bite attorney who will allow you to weigh all of the legal options for your case.

The most popular way of recovering compensation is to negotiate with insurance companies. A dog bite attorney will protect your legal rights and represent your case in order to avoid accepting any lowball settlement offers. A dog bite lawyer from Abraham Watkins will always have your best interests at heart and ensure that you are fully compensated for your injuries.

If negotiation fails, and you do not reach an agreement with an insurance company, then you will have the option to proceed to trial. However, the process is much more complex compared to settling out of court. There will be paperwork to file and plenty of fees to pay. In addition, you will need to take depositions and bring the necessary evidence before a judge and jury.

The one good aspect of going to court is that the amount of compensation you will receive is determined by the jury.

Dog Bite FAQ

Can you sue someone if their dog bites you?

The easy answer is yes, you can sue someone if their dog bites you. However, it is not as straightforward as it sounds.

The “one bite rule” means that the owner is not always held liable for the first bite that occurs. A dog owner cannot be held liable for an attack unless their animal has a history of prior attacks or close calls.

Can I get compensation for being bitten by a dog?

Yes, if someone else’s dog bit you and has caused you physical harm, then you can claim compensation. By law, the owner has a duty to keep others safe from now.

What Injuries can result from a dog bite?

A dog bite can result in a number of serious injuries including broken bones, nerve damage, disfigurement, scarring, severe infection, and emotional trauma.

What damages can I claim after a dog bite in texas?

Dog bite victims could be eligible to file a personal injury claim and pursue damages in Texas.

They can claim economic damages including current and future medical bills, lost wages, a diminished earning capacity, and more. In addition, they can also claim non-economic damages including emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and others.

what are Texas dog bite laws?

A dog bite victim must demonstrate the three aspects of negligence in order to recover damages in a dog bite claim.

It is worth noting that a dog bite case falls under personal injury in the state of Texas. In this case, the statute of limitations applies. The statute allows you to file a lawsuit within two years (with the date starting from the day of the dog bite).

If you fail to file a claim within the timeframe, then your case will get dismissed by the court.

What are the Long-term effects of a dog bite injury?

Disfigurement and scarring caused by a dog bite can heal over time in some cases. However, many dog bites can leave people with serious injuries that could result in amputations, loss of mobility, and possibly even paralysis.

Rabies could infect the central nervous system, which means the disease could be deadly if it is left untreated by a medical professional.

Hire a Katy Dog Bite Lawyer Today

It is important that you reach out to a dog bite lawyer and discuss your legal options immediately.

Our team of dog bite attorneys will help you to understand a dog’s owner laws, leash laws, and your legal rights. We believe that a dog owner should not get away with letting their animal cause serious bodily injury or pain and suffering without paying the price.

A dog bite case varies greatly depending on the facts. If you, your child, or someone you know have been bitten by a dog, then a Katy dog bite attorney will investigate your case and help you to pursue compensation.Call Abraham Watkins on 713-535-9319 to set up a free consultation now.

Free Consultation

We offer a free consultation to prospective clients. If you have been injured and wish to speak to one of our attorneys in a no-cost consultation, please call us at (713) 222-7211. or toll free at 713-222-7211

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