Were you or your child bitten by a dog in Laredo, TX? Dog bite injuries can be severe, that’s why a Laredo dog bite lawyer at Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers is on your side to help you fight for compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. Contact us or call our law office at (956) 529-7336 for legal assistance.
With over 20 years of experience, you can trust that we have the knowledge to successfully help your family recover the money you need. In fact, we’ve already recovered millions of dollars for our injured clients so they can pay their medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering caused by the negligent party.
To discuss your legal options and our track record of success, call our law offices in Laredo, Texas to schedule a free consultation today.
How Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help Me Recover Compensation After a Dog Bite in Laredo
At Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve dedicated our practice to protecting injured clients like you. Dog bite injury cases can be complicated. It can be tough to locate the proof you need to successfully recover compensation. Our experienced Laredo personal injury attorney can help.
We’ve been recognized for our quality legal representation again and again. Our lawyer has won the Avvo Client’s Choice Award and secured a place on the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you choose us to advocate for you, here’s what you can expect:
- A thorough investigation into the attack
- The strongest possible evidence to establish your rights under Texas law
- Testimony from respected experts who can strengthen your case
- Accurate assessment of the full damages you have suffered
- A strong defense if you’re blamed for provoking the dog
- Fierce negotiations with the insurance companies for the full compensation you deserve
Dog bite injuries can impact your life in unexpected ways. Our Laredo personal injury lawyer is here to offer the legal advice you deserve. Just give us a call for a free case review today.
How Common Are Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in Texas?
About 90.5 million American families own at least one dog. Unfortunately, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. About 800,000 of those bites are severe enough that the victim requires medical attention.
Texas ranks third in the nation when it comes to dog bite injury claims, according to Insurance Information Institute research. Across the State of Texas, insurance companies paid out over $67 million in dog bite injury insurance claims in 2021. The average settlement that year was $65,923 per dog bite victim.
What Is My Laredo Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
Every case is different. The types of treatment you will require depend on many different factors. The cost of this treatment can vary widely. It’s critical to understand your case value so that you don’t walk away with a lowball settlement.
The value of your personal injury case will depend heavily on:
- The types of injuries involved
- The cost of your medical treatment and need for future medical care
- Whether the injury impacts your earnings, both current and future
- The types of emotional trauma you have endured
- The age and identity of the victim
- The circumstances of the dog bite
- How the injury might impact your future
Unfortunately, children often suffer the most severe injuries and trauma due to dog bites and animal attacks. You can count on our lawyer in Laredo to fight for the compensation you deserve.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit?
Personal injury victims in Texas can pursue compensation to cover their economic and non-economic losses.
Depending on the unique facts of your case, you may be entitled to damages such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages while you recover or care for a child
- Lost future earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Reconstructive surgeries
- Nursing care
- In-home aides
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD and fear of being around animals
- Anxiety disorders
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
The types of losses you have suffered are unique to your situation. To recover a compensation award that’s fair, it’s important to have a lawyer by your side. Some losses are extremely hard to translate into dollars and cents. We’ll often bring in experts who can help with the valuation process.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Provoking a Dog to Bite in Laredo, Texas?
When an animal attacks, the owner often tries to blame the victim for provoking the dog.
Under Texas modified comparative negligence laws, victims can recover compensation as long as their “percentage of fault” is less than 51%. In other words, you can recover partial compensation as long as you weren’t mostly responsible for the attack.
These shared fault laws only apply in cases involving negligence. So if the dog’s owner had reason to know that the dog was vicious, dangerous, or aggressive, provocation will not be a defense.
Dog Bite Injuries in Laredo, TX, Can Be Extremely Serious
Some examples of common types of dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture wounds, cuts, and lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Joint injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Amputations caused by infection
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death of a loved one
The most severe dog bite injuries tend to occur when the victim is knocked to the ground. In these cases, the resulting injuries can be much more extensive than the bite itself.
Is the Dog’s Owner Automatically Responsible for Paying My Damages Under Texas Dog Bite Laws?
The laws governing dog bite injuries vary from state to state.
Some states follow a one-bite rule. In these states, dog owners are only liable for dog bite injuries if the dog has bitten someone else in the past. Other states are strict liability states, where the dog’s owner is liable for injuries regardless of whether the dog has ever displayed vicious tendencies.
Texas itself does not have a specific dog bite law on the books. The Texas Supreme Court has, however, ruled on the issue and has effectively implemented a similar sort of rule by stating:
- Dog owners are liable for damages if the dog is known to be dangerous
- If the dog has never bitten anyone before, the dog bite injury victim must prove the dog was dangerous or vicious to recover damages
When a dog has bitten someone in the past, it is presumed that the dog owner knew that the dog was vicious. That’s why these dog owners can be held strictly liable for damages without proof of negligence.
In dog bite injury cases, you must prove that:
- The dog owner knew, or reasonably should have known, that the dog was dangerous
- The dog’s owner failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent injuries
- You were bitten by the dog and suffered injuries as a result
In other words, if the dog has never bitten before, you will have to establish the dog owner’s negligence to recover damages.
You might establish negligence by proving that:
- The dog owner ignored local leash laws in Laredo
- The dog was allowed to roam freely off the owner’s property
- The dog owner failed to keep the animal secured, whether on public or private property
- The dog was trained to engage in aggressive behaviors
Our Laredo dog bite attorney can help you locate the evidence to prove your case. To learn more about this area of law, call for a free initial consultation today.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Damages?
The dog’s owner can, of course, be held liable for damages. But what about situations where the dog owner’s insurance and resources aren’t enough to cover your damages? It’s possible that a third party can also be held responsible for your injuries.
If the animal attack happened on someone else’s property, you may also have a valid premises liability case.
Examples of parties who may share financial responsibility for your damages include:
- Dog walkers
- Pet sitters
- Groomers
- Business owners
- Restaurants that allow unrestrained dogs on the premises
- Property owners
- Landlords
- Schools or daycare centers
- Hotels
Do you have questions about your legal options after suffering a dog bite injury? Contact our law firm for a free case evaluation today. We’ll do everything we can to help you recover full compensation for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After I Was Bitten by a Dog in Texas?
The statute of limitations in Texas is two years. You have two years from the date of the dog bite injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wait longer than two years, and you lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Laredo Dog Bite Attorney for a Free Consultation
Dog bite injuries can be more serious than you might think. An experienced Laredo dog bite attorney can help you recover the money you need for treatment costs and more. Contact Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more about how we can put our experience and resources to work for your family.
Roderick C. Lopez Personal Injury Lawyers
6557 Metro Court, Suite 1 Laredo, TX 78041
(956) 529-7336
Our personal injury law firm in Laredo, TX also provides:
- Laredo Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Brain Injury Attorneys in Laredo, TX
- Car Accident Attorney in Laredo, TX
- Laredo Dog Bite Lawyers
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Laredo, TX
- Laredo Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
- Slip & Fall Lawyers in Laredo, TX
- Truck Accident Attorneys in Laredo, TX
- Laredo Workplace Accident Lawyer
- Wrongful Death Attorney in Laredo, TX
- Product Liability Attorneys in Laredo
- Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Laredo, TX
