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Call us now
(512) 537-3369

Dog Bites

Home Dog Bites

Dogs have been humankind’s best friend for ages, but sometimes these cherished companions act out against us. In fact, Texas ranks #2 out of all states when it comes to the prevalence of dog attacks reported by the U.S. Postal Service. Each year, more than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the U.S.

Treatment for these injuries can range into tens of thousands of dollars but compensation alone will not account for any injuries suffered that reduce your quality of life or that of a loved one. Dog attacks are very traumatic ordeals to go through and often cause more than just physical injury.

At Ramos James Law, PLLC, our personal injury law firm wants to speak up on your behalf, fighting for the justice and compensation that you deserve. If you have recently suffered an injury from a dog bite, contact us today for your free case review.

Types of Injuries That Result From a Dog Bite

Because of a dog’s very sharp teeth and strong jaw, grievous injury can occur including:

  • Bites – These types of injuries include puncture wounds or tears within your flesh. A dog’s long canines can sink deeply into the victim’s body and an aggressive dog can shake their head to deal even more damage. Bites are often paired with scratches as well.
  • Facial Scars – The most common injury from a dog bite is facial scars. Dogs tend to go for the face, lips, nose, and cheeks. Approximately 44,000 facial injuries are treated in hospitals yearly around the United States. Facial scars can be disfiguring, leaving the victim with a lifelong physical and emotional aftermath.
  • Head or Brain Injury – Bigger breeds may be able to clamp down on a victim’s head causing injuries as minor as a bump on the head to as serious as a fractured skull. Also, getting knocked down when fending off an attack can also lead to you to falling and hitting your head, subsequently causing brain damage.
  • Crushed or Broken Bones – Some breed of dogs have enough power in their jaws to crush bones like the radius and ulna in your forearm. If by chance you are knocked down or trying to run away from a dog, one bad fall can also break a bone.
  • Physical and Emotional Injury – It is not uncommon for victims of dog bites to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. A dog attack can leave children and adults fearing dogs for the rest of their lives, which can place unwanted stress on them and others when around dogs.
  • Rabies – This disease can be fatal to both dogs and humans if not treated. The virus is transmitted through saliva and attacks the brain and nervous system. Victims of a dog bite must seek medical attention immediately!
  • Death – A wrongful death can occur because of any of the injuries listed above, and in rare circumstances, due to the dog itself. A 2018 study issued by DogsBite.org found that 35 dog breeds contributed to 433 deaths over a 13-year period with pit bulls accounting for 66% of those deaths.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog attack and bite, it is in your best interests to contact Ramos James Law, PLLC, immediately. If you have lost someone because of a dog bite, the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Contact Ramos James Law for a FREE Consultation.

Call: (512) 537-3369

Dog Bite Laws in Texas

Courts have used the Restatement of Torts section 509, adopting the one bite rule that focuses on whether the owner knew or should have known that their dog may bite, and whether the owner took all of the necessary precautions to try to prevent the bite from occurring based on that knowledge.
Courts determine this by checking:

  • If the dog owner knew that the dog had acted aggressively or had bitten someone before.
  • If the dog owner was negligent by not securing or controlling the dog to prevent the bite from occurring, and that this negligence caused injury to someone.

In order to recover damages under this Texas law, you will have to prove that the owner knew their dog was aggressive or had bitten before, or show that the owner failed to restrain their dog, a type of negligence that may have caused the bite.

A bite isn’t the only way a dog can injure you. If, for example, a large dog runs past you and knocks you off of your feet, you can also claim damages for injuries received as a result of the owner’s negligence.

Statute of Limitations for a Dog Bite

The statute of limitations in Texas to file a personal injury lawsuit is 2 years.
Dog bites are considered within the realm of personal injury and the statute of limitations begins the moment that the bite occurred. Failure to file within the 2 year period may cause your case to be dismissed without a hearing.

Know your rights. Don’t suffer in silence and don’t trust any other law firm to fight for you like we can.

If you have been injured by a dog bite, trust the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Ramos James Law, PLLC, because we genuinely care about seeing you through your healing process.

Contact us today at (512) 537-3369 for your free legal consultation.