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Dallas Dog Bite Lawyer

A Dallas dog attack can cause serious injuries and lifelong mental trauma. If a dog owner fails to handle their animal properly and the dog attacks you or your loved one, you might be eligible for compensation. Consult an experienced Dallas dog bite attorney at Shamieh Law to find out if you qualify for compensation and how to file a claim properly.

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2612 Thomas Ave, Dallas, TX 75204
469-813-7332

If you or your loved one was attacked and injured by a dog in Dallas, you might be worried about your rights and how to pay for the resulting damages. Texas laws require dog owners to ensure their pets don’t attack or behave aggressively toward people or other animals. Victims who sustain injuries in a dog attack may be eligible for compensation depending on various circumstances.

At Shamieh Law, we understand how a serious dog bite can impact you and your loved ones’ futures. Our top-rated team of Dallas personal injury lawyers can review your case, explain your rights, and pursue a settlement on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation by calling (469) 813-7332 or by submitting a form on our website.

Why Work With Shamieh Law’s Dog Bite Attorneys in Dallas

At Shamieh Law, instead of winning at all costs, we focus on “Winning With Awareness.” This means securing full and fair compensation for our clients, but doing so while treating everyone involved in their case with the compassion, dignity, and respect they deserve. Over the years, this approach has allowed our all-star team of attorneys to secure excellent results. We have secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.

We know that each dog bite claim is unique, and so are the challenges a dog bite presents to injury victims. With over 30 years of combined personal injury experience, our Dallas dog attack lawyers win by building tailored case strategies that address individual client needs, objectives, and challenges.

When you partner with us, you can rest assured your claim is in capable hands. You can count on us to handle your case from start to finish with the utmost care and attention it deserves. We have the experience, work ethic, and communication skills needed to handle even the most complex personal injury cases.

What Are Texas’s Laws on Dog Bites?

Victims of dog bite injuries in Dallas can pursue compensation under any of the following rules depending on the circumstances of the attack:

  • The one-bite rule – In Marshall v. Ranne (1974), the Texas Supreme Court held that animal owners are automatically liable for injuries caused by their dog if the animal has a history of attacks and aggressiveness that they are or should be aware of. Under this rule, sometimes known as “strict liability,” dog owners are liable even if they take the necessary measures to prevent an attack.
  • Negligence – If you are bitten by a dog with no prior history of aggression, you can bring a case based on the legal theory of negligence. Doing so will require proof that the owner’s failure to take reasonable care in handling their animal led to your injuries. For example, failure to keep a dog leashed in a public park may amount to negligence if the dog attacks a child.
  • Negligence per se – You can also sue a dog owner if there’s proof that they were violating a city code, ordinance, or animal control law meant to keep people safe from attacks.

Our skilled Dallas dog bite injury attorneys at Shamieh Law understand local and state laws, as well as how they can impact your claim. Let us help you navigate the journey to compensation.

How Common Are Dog Bites in Dallas?

Dog attacks are a serious problem in Dallas and across Texas. The increasing number of stray dogs, coupled with a shortage of animal control officers, has further worsened the situation.

In 2022, there were ten fatalities resulting from dog attacks across Texas. Dog bites are also a common problem for U.S. Postal Service workers, who sometimes have to deliver mail when no one is at home. The city of Dallas ranked third in the number of dog attacks against USPS workers across the country, with 44 cases in 2022.

an aggressive dog

Common Injuries in Dog Attacks

Injuries resulting from dog bites may vary depending on how the attack occurred. Common injuries to look out for after a dog attack include:

  • Skin lacerations
  • Infections such as tetanus and rabies
  • Puncture wounds
  • Fractured skull
  • Broken bones
  • Psychological trauma
  • Disfigurement
  • Nerve damage

Possible Damages You Can Recover in a Dallas Dog Bite Lawsuit

Compensatory damages pay for tangible and intangible losses to restore your life to where you were before the accident. These damages come in two categories:

  • Economic damages – The actual financial expenses you’ve incurred from the dog bite, such as medical bills for past, current, and future treatment, rehabilitation costs, wages lost by missing work during recovery, lowered future earning capacity, property damage, and burial fees in cases involving wrongful death.
  • Non-economic damages – This form of damages covers the more subjective aspects of your injuries and losses. It is designed to compensate for things like physical pain and suffering, mental trauma, disfigurement, inability to enjoy life as before, and loss of consortium.

Sometimes, a judge will award punitive to punish dog owners for egregious or malicious conduct and deter this kind of behavior in the future. Though punitive damages are awarded somewhat rarely, our team will pursue them aggressively when available in your case.

Damage Definition Example
Economic The actual financial expenses you’ve incurred from the dog bite
  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Burial fees
Non-economic Covers the more subjective aspects of your injuries and losses
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental trauma
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

How to Prove Your Dog Bite Case in Dallas, TX

The “one-bite rule” in Texas doesn’t require you to prove the dog owner’s negligence as long as you can show the animal’s history of attacks or aggression. However, if the dog has not bitten anyone or shown signs of being a danger to the people in the past, you must prove the four elements of negligence to receive compensation. They are as follows:

  1. The defendant owed you a duty to take reasonable care to avoid harming you.
  2. The defendant breached this legal duty by failing to take reasonable care to prevent the attack (e.g., by not having the dog on a leash and failing to restrain it).
  3. The breach was the proximate cause of the dog attack and the resulting injuries.
  4. You suffered compensable damages from the accident (e.g., bodily harm).

You must prove liability by a preponderance of the evidence. To achieve this and successfully defend your right to compensation, you need a dog bite lawyer in Dallas who has handled similar cases before. Let Shamieh Law guide you through the legal process.

What Evidence Might Help My Dog Bite Lawsuit?

Working with a lawyer for dog bites is wise to help you gather evidence. They will know what to look for and how to build a strong claim on your behalf. Examples of evidence that might help your Dallas dog bite lawsuit include:

  • Pictures or videos of the dog’s aggressiveness during the attack
  • Eyewitness accounts
  • Dog owner’s contact information
  • Pictures of your injuries
  • Medical and pharmaceutical bills
  • Medical records and doctor reports
  • Reports on the dog’s history from neighbors or police reports
  • Expert witness testimonies
  • Pay stubs showing your lost wages

What Should You Do After a Dog Attack?

The shock and trauma after a dog attack can leave you confused and overwhelmed about what to do next. The things you do immediately after a dog attack can significantly impact your right to pursue compensation. You can protect your health and rights by taking the following steps:

  • Seek medical treatment or first aid to alleviate pain and prevent an infection.
  • Document the accident and your injuries by writing all you can remember, speaking to eyewitnesses, and documenting your injuries and the scene.
  • Collect the dog owner’s contact information, such as phone number, address, and insurance information.
  • Report the attack to your local animal control department offices. You can also check with the agency whether the dog that bit you has attacked another person in the past.
  • Consult a dog bite injury lawyer in Dallas to get professional legal counsel to make sure you know your full legal rights and options.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites in Dallas?

Every state has a deadline by which injury victims must file a claim. In Dallas, you normally have only two years from the date of a dog bite incident to submit your claim for compensation. This is set by Texas’s personal injury statute of limitations. Claims filed after this period has elapsed are likely to be barred, which normally forces victims to pay out of pocket for injuries they didn’t cause.

This is why it’s best to consult a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. Doing so will give them enough time to gather evidence and build a solid claim.

Shamieh Law Group

Contact Our Dallas Dog Bite Lawyers Today

At Shamieh Law, we are passionate about helping people, whether negotiating a settlement or litigating a case in court. If you have questions about your rights and how to get compensation after a dog attack, our qualified Dallas dog bite lawyers are here for you.

We’ve helped injury victims throughout Texas and beyond secure compensation for injuries and losses resulting from accidents they didn’t cause. Let’s make the process as easy as possible for you and your loved ones. To get started, call us at (469) 813-7332 or fill out our online form.

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