Being bitten by a dog is a truly terrifying experience. The behavior of animals can be unpredictable, and you never know when an attack will happen or when it will end. Dog bites can result in significant injuries such as puncture wounds, broken bones, nerve damage and lacerations, psychological trauma and emotional distress. Any of which will require medical treatment. These medical bills can pile up, and you should not have to be responsible for these medical expenses.
With the help of our San Antonio dog bite lawyer at J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP, you will have a chance to receive the fair compensation you deserve. An animal may have attacked you, but just because you can’t sue the dog doesn’t mean you have to cover the costs of your injuries. We will determine who should be responsible for your injuries and ensure you understand your claim’s value.
Who Is at Fault for My Dog Attack Injuries?
You might assume that the owner of the dog should always be held liable for the actions of his or her pet. While this is partially true, Texas follows what’s known as the http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.822.htm. Under this doctrine, compensation for your injuries can only be sought under specific circumstances.
The owner had to have previous knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior, and the dog had to have bitten or acted like it wanted to bite someone before. Compensation can also be recovered if the dog’s owner or handler was negligent.
To prove negligence, we must show that the dog owner did not exercise the kind of care that a “reasonably prudent and careful person” would. For example, in a public park, a reasonable person would have his or her dog on a leash, while an unreasonable person would allow a dog to roam free.
Under Texas law, there are a few circumstances in which someone other than the pet owner could be found liable. In some cases, a landlord or property owner who is not the dog handler could be held responsible because a renter owns the dog. In other cases, if someone witnesses the attack and fails to stop it or attempts to stop it, he or she may also be found liable.
Our dog bite lawyer in San Antonio will interview witnesses and investigate the specifics of your case to determine which individuals hold some responsibility for your injuries.
The experienced, resourceful, knowledgeable lawyers at J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP will work hard to ensure justice is served for dog bite incidents in San Antonio.
Dog bites can result in severe physical injuries. A particularly vicious dog can leave a person permanently disfigured. If the dog has attacked a child, the child could have serious physical and emotional trauma stemming from the attack.
Some of the damages that can be recovered include the following:
Our experienced dog bite lawyers will establish a reasonable compensation request based on your physician’s opinion of the impact your injuries will have on your life or your child’s life. We will hold the negligent dog owner responsible, and you can count on that.
Texas Dog Bite Laws to Remember
Laws surrounding dog bites vary by state. Texas is distinctive from other states in the way we handle dog bites. Apart from following the one-bite rule, there are a few other key points to take away when you’re educating and preparing yourself for a personal injury claim involving a San Antonio animal attack.
Texas is one of only a handful of states that apply comparative negligence to dog bite claims. This means that if you contributed in some way to the dog biting you—say, you tried to pet a dog you had never encountered before—then the amount you would be able to recover would decrease based on your level of fault.
In cases in which children are injured, comparative negligence still applies. However, because it is difficult to gauge a child’s ability to understand, appreciate, and foresee the potential danger in interacting with a passing pooch, children will be held to the same standard as another child of the same age, understanding, and cognitive capacity.
The Value of Your San Antonio Dog Bite Injury
Your San Antonio dog attack lawyer will establish a reasonable compensation request based on your physician’s opinion of the impact your injuries will have on your life or the life of your child.
Get Help from a San Antonio Dog Bite Attorney
When you have suffered injuries caused by a dog attack, the person responsible for the care of the dog should be held accountable for the expenses and trauma you’ve incurred. If you are ready to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party, contact the team of qualified attorneys at J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP, to get maximum compensation.
Our accomplished attorneys will prioritize your needs so you can obtain full compensation for your losses.
To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with the qualified attorneys at J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP, please complete the form and call our office at (210) 732-1062.