What Are My Rights When I Get Bit By a Dog?

Dogs are wonderful companions that bring a lot of joy and love to adults and children alike. Unfortunately, dogs that are not properly trained or have some other aggression issues can cause extreme harm to people. Pet owners have a responsibility to ensure their pets are properly trained and are able to be around people – at home or in public settings – safely. In the event a dog bites someone and causes an injury, the victim may have the right to take the dog owner to court for injuries and any damages incurred. While some pet owner shave insurance policies in place to protect themselves against dog bite claims, these aren’t always enough.

Thousands of Americans are bitten by animals – in most cases dogs. While circumstances surrounding dog bites vary, in many cases, victims choose to sue the dog owner for damages. Because children are oftentimes the victims of dog bite injuries, these cases can be extremely sensitive. With this in mind, it is important to understand what your rights are in the unfortunate event you or your child is bitten by a dog. By knowing what steps to take immediately following a dog bite injury, you will be set up for a successful case against the responsible party.

Texas Dog Bite Law

Depending on the severity of the dog bite injury, we recommend you seek medical attention immediately. Even if the injury appears to be minor and you don’t think you need to see a doctor, we highly encourage you to do so. Should you decide to press charges and the case goes to court, you may need documentation from your doctor showing your injury required medical attention. Dog bite injuries can range in severity from minor cuts to serious scarring and disfigurement, soft tissue injuries, broken bones, and infections, to name a few. Intense medical treatment and a lifetime of recovery often comes along with the most serious dog bite injuries.

Texas has adopted a “one bite rule” law in regards to dog bites. This is also referred to as “negligence”, meaning the victim of a dog bite injury must prove the owner was negligent in order to recover damages. Here is a more detailed look at what dog bite victims in Texas must prove in order to seek damages:

• The dog’s owner was aware the dog had bitten someone in the past or acted aggressively previously
• The dog’s owner did not properly control their dog or stop them from biting people. This negligence resulted in the victim’s injuries

This means that, in Texas, you must be able to prove that the dog’s owner knew about his or her aggressive behavior and acted negligently in spite of this. In order to recover damages, negligence must be established. This can be relatively complex, depending on the circumstances surrounding the case. Because of this, we recommend hiring an experienced dog bite attorney in order to ensure you recover the damages you deserve. To learn more about your rights following a dog bite injury in Texas, please contact Rad Law Firm today.