According to a recent survey, approximately 63 million households across the United States own at least one dog. In most cases, it’s a rewarding relationship and many owners regard their pets as members of the family.
While most dogs are friendly, others are a danger to the public. The Centers for Disease Control has stated that nearly five million dog bites are reported every year. While some injuries are comparatively minor, others can cause lifelong physical and emotional trauma. Examples include:
Some attacks are fatal: between March 2005 and July 2022, 38 people were killed by dogs in Texas alone.
If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, you should speak to an experienced Austin dog bite lawyer. At Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, we have years of experience fighting for the rights of clients injured by aggressive dogs. When it comes to getting you the money you deserve, we won’t back down. Schedule your free consultation today by calling (512) 800-0000.
The negligence rule in Texas governs dog bites. This means that an injured person must prove negligence on the part of the dog owner in order to recover damages. Below are some common examples of carelessness that can lead to devastating injuries:
If a dog known to be vicious or dangerous bites someone, Texas law applies a strict liability rule. This means that you don’t have to prove that a dangerous dog’s owner did not use reasonable care to restrain the animal. By demonstrating that the dog was known to be dangerous before the injury, you could recover damages.
This liability may even extend to landlords or property owners. If they know that a dangerous dog is on the premises and fail to take steps to remove or control the risk, they may be liable for injuries. For example, if they know that a tenant has an aggressive dog and does not maintain doors, gates, or other barriers to prevent the dog from approaching people, they may be sued for injuries that occur in common areas under their control.
In Texas, a dog may be deemed dangerous if it has:
The law recognizes three ways that an owner can learn that their dog is considered dangerous:
Suppose you or your child have been injured. In that case, the last thing you want to worry about is fighting for compensation to cover medical bills, reconstructive surgeries, psychotherapy, and other financial needs arising from the attack. Unfortunately, when it comes to getting the money you deserve, even if the dog was obviously at fault, you may face an uphill legal battle.
When you Google ‘Austin personal injury attorney near me,’ you will have a lot of choices for injury counsel, but not all of them have in-depth experience with animal attack claims. An experienced Austin dog bite attorney at the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, can help you achieve the outcome you need to move on with your life. We will assist you in filing your claim and work tirelessly to ensure that it is successfully resolved.
With dog bite cases, an Austin animal attack lawyer at our firm will:
The laws governing dog bites in Texas can be complex enough. It can be even more difficult to get compensation when insurance companies are involved, as they’re always determined to protect their bottom line. Let us do the hard work of negotiating or even litigating for the money you need while you focus on healing.
Every personal injury case is unique. The goal of compensation is to make you as ‘whole’ again as possible. This may include money for:
After a dog attack, it can be difficult to get the full amount you’re entitled to because insurance companies often fight claims. Having a strong relationship with respected experts, your Austin animal attack lawyer at our firm can offer solid evidence about the value of your claim and will take your case to court if the insurer fails to make a fair settlement offer.
After a dog bite or attack, injuries can be extremely serious and have long-lasting effects, such as scarring and emotional trauma. An Austin dog bite attorney from the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, can assist you in recovering compensation for medical expenses, cosmetic surgeries, therapy, and other losses associated with a dog bite. Initial consultations are 100% free, and you only pay us if we recover money for you. To learn more or discuss your legal options, call our Austin office today at (512) 800-0000 or contact us online.
