A Denton dog bite lawyer from Underwood Law Office may be able to help you and your family recover compensation after an attack or incident in Denton County. You may be able to build a case against the dog’s owner and recover money to cover your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. We can help if you were the victim, if a child or another member of your family suffered injuries, or if a loved one passed away.
The attorneys from Underwood Law Office offer free case reviews for Denton dog attack victims and their families. We can help you understand your case and options for building a claim against the dog’s owner, as well as our services and the benefits of having one of our lawyers handling your legal case.
Damages and Financial Recovery in a Denton, TX, Dog Bite Case
When we help a client navigate the claims process after a Denton, Texas, dog bite, the recoverable damages will depend on the details of their unique case. However, they could include:
- Medical bills, current and future
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Property damage
- Other related expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Additional intangible damages
Your case’s value will depend on the costs and losses you incurred after the bite and because of this incident. Almost any related expenses could qualify, whether that is replacing your broken eyeglasses or paying for the parking at your doctor’s office. In addition, we will pursue damages that include your future medical care needs and non-economic losses.
In some cases, treating and managing dog bite injuries can be more expensive than you might realize. Even in seemingly minor incidents, medical care, assessment, and cleaning may be necessary. These wounds often become infected because of the bacteria in a dog’s mouth and their puncture-like nature.
Sometimes, especially when the victim is young or elderly, dog attacks can be fatal. Whether the death occurs because of the initial attack or a complication such as infection, the victim’s spouse, child, or parent may be able to pursue additional damages through a wrongful death action. Our lawyers manage wrongful death cases, too.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Denton, call (972) 535-6377
Proving the Dog’s Owner Is Legally Responsible for Your Injuries
When a dog bites someone, the owner or party who should have been in control of the dog may be legally liable, depending on the circumstances. Generally, you can hold the dog’s owner responsible for your injuries and damages in two ways:
Because of Its Vicious History
Texas law does not allow you to hold a dog’s owner strictly liable for the animal’s bad behavior like some states do. Instead, you will need to show the dog had a history of vicious or threatening behavior and the owner was aware of this behavior. Then, you will need to prove that the dog caused your injuries and you did nothing to provoke this attack.
This can be a challenging bar to meet, especially when showing the dog met the criteria to be considered a dangerous dog under Texas Health and Safety Code § 822, and the owner knew and had not followed the necessary rules under this code. However, when the dog has previous issues that have been documented, this may be possible.
Because of the Owner’s Negligence
In some cases, we can build a claim based on showing the owner was negligent, and this allowed the attack to occur. This may be easier to prove than the dog’s previous history. In most cases, dog attacks only occur when an owner fails to maintain control of their animal, such as keeping it on a leash or under voice control, as most municipalities and county codes in Texas require.
When an owner acts negligently by violating leash laws, they may be legally responsible for any injuries that occur regardless of the dog’s history or previous behavior. This approach is most effective when the attack occurs because the dog was running free or did not follow its owner’s instructions when it first exhibited aggressive behavior.
How We Seek Compensation for Our Clients
Regardless of which basis we use for our client’s case, we have two options for seeking financial recovery:
- Filing an insurance claim based on the liable party’s coverage
- Suing the liable party in a Denton County civil court
Most cases settle without going to trial because of insurance negotiations and payouts. The approach we use for your case will depend on the situation’s details and circumstances.
Homeowners and renters insurance coverage may pay out to cover the damages suffered in a dog bite in Denton. We file a claim based on the dog owner’s policy and pursue a payout through settlement negotiations with the insurer.
If we decide we need to sue the dog’s owner and possibly take the case to trial, we must ensure we meet the applicable deadlines. Generally speaking, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 gives us two years from the incident date to file a personal injury action. It also gives us two years from the decedent’s date of death to file a wrongful death case.
Denton Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
An Underwood Law Office Attorney Can Manage Your Case While You Heal
At Underwood Law Office, our team may be able to help you recover financial compensation while you undergo treatment or support your child or another family member through this difficult time. When you ask us to represent you, our team will:
- Protect your legal rights
- Manage all case communications
- Investigate what happened to prove your claim
- Value the claim and seek an appropriate payout
- Negotiate with the insurer or at-fault party
- Take your case to trial, if needed
Click to contact our Denton Personal Injury Lawyers today
Talk to Us About Your Dog Bite Injury Case Today
You can speak with the legal team at Underwood Law Office about your next steps today for free. A Denton personal injury lawyer from our team will assess your options and explain your rights during a free initial consultation.
We can help you understand our contingency fees and how we can help. Connect with us today to get started.
Call or text (972) 535-6377 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form