At The Texas Law Dog, our University Park dog bite lawyers represent people injured by dangerous dogs throughout North Texas. Since opening our firm in 2018, we have helped Texans deal with injury claims involving homeowners, landlords, insurance carriers, and disputed liability.
We know how insurance companies investigate these cases because our founder worked in the insurance industry before becoming a lawyer. If you or your child was bitten by a dog, contact us for a free consultation with a University Park personal injury lawyer.
Dog Bite Cases Are Not Always Straightforward in Texas
Many people assume a dog owner is automatically responsible whenever a bite occurs, but Texas law is more nuanced than that.
In some cases, the focus is on whether the owner knew the dog had shown dangerous tendencies before the attack. In others, the claim may center on negligence, such as allowing a dog to roam freely, failing to secure a gate, violating a leash requirement, or ignoring a known risk.
A successful claim often depends on understanding the dog’s history, the owner’s actions, where the attack happened, and what evidence exists to support the claim.
How Our Dog Bite Attorneys in University Park Can Help
After a dog attack, you may be dealing with medical treatment, missed work, and questions about who is responsible for your injuries. Our team investigates what happened, gathers available records, and identifies the insurance coverage that may apply to your claim.
At The Texas Law Dog, we bring a unique perspective to these cases. Before becoming a lawyer, our founder worked in the insurance industry, giving us firsthand insight into how claims are evaluated and challenged behind the scenes.
Our University Park dog bite attorneys believe in giving clients straightforward answers and practical guidance. Whether the attack happened at a home, apartment community, park, or neighborhood sidewalk, we can explain your options and help you decide what to do next.
University Park Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (817) 775-5364
How Dog Attacks Commonly Occur
Dog bites happen in a variety of settings throughout University Park.
Some attacks occur when:
- A dog escapes a yard through a damaged fence or open gate.
- An owner loses control of a dog during a walk.
- A delivery driver approaches a residence.
- A visitor enters private property.
- A tenant encounters an aggressive dog at an apartment complex.
- A child approaches a dog that has not been properly restrained.
- Multiple dogs become aggressive and attack together.
Not every attack happens in a public place. Many serious injuries occur at homes, apartment communities, and private properties where the victim had every right to be present.
How Texas Dog Bite Liability Works
Texas generally follows what many people refer to as the one-bite rule. That phrase can be misleading because a dog does not necessarily need to bite someone before an owner can be held responsible.
The real question is often whether the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, that the dog presented a danger.
Evidence that can help prove liability in these cases can include:
- Prior bites or attacks.
- Aggressive behavior toward people or animals.
- Previous complaints from neighbors.
- Animal control reports.
- Prior citations involving the dog.
- Statements from witnesses familiar with the animal.
Even when there is no documented bite history, negligence may still play a role depending on how the attack occurred.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
A dog bite claim may include both financial losses and personal harm that is harder to measure. The value of a case depends on the injury, the treatment required, and the long-term effect on your life.
You may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Emergency room and hospital treatment
- Follow-up care, medication, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Scarring, disfigurement, and mental anguish
If a child was bitten, future medical care or plastic surgery may also be part of the claim. We work to present the full picture of what the attack has cost you, not just the first medical bill.
Liability Can Extend Beyond the Owner
Some cases involve additional parties whose actions contributed to the incident.
Depending on the facts, responsibility may extend to the following parties:
- Property owners
- Landlords
- Property management companies
- Animal caretakers
- Businesses that permitted a known dangerous animal on the premises
Cases Involving Children Require Special Attention
Children frequently suffer the most severe injuries in dog attacks because their faces and upper bodies are closer to the dog’s mouth.
A bite that leaves permanent facial scarring can affect a child well into adulthood. Future medical treatment, reconstructive procedures, emotional counseling, and the long-term impact of visible scarring should all be carefully evaluated.
Parents are often presented with settlement offers before the full picture is known. When a child has been injured, those decisions deserve careful review.
Homeowners Insurance Often Plays a Major Role
Many dog bite claims are paid through homeowners or renters insurance policies rather than directly by the dog owner.
As such, insurance companies frequently investigate:
- Whether the dog had a known history of aggression.
- Whether policy exclusions apply.
- Whether the victim had permission to be on the property.
- The nature and extent of the injuries.
- Future medical treatment needs.
Our firm’s insurance background provides valuable insight into how these claims are evaluated and defended. We understand the questions insurers ask and the documentation they look for when reviewing a dog bite claim.
What Damages May Be Available?
Every case is different, but a dog attack can affect far more than a person’s initial medical bills.
Depending on the circumstances, damages can include the following:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital care
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Prescription medication
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Future medical care
A serious dog attack can affect work, relationships, confidence, and everyday activities. The impact is often broader than people realize during the first weeks after the incident.
Talk With a University Park Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If you were bitten by a dog in University Park, The Texas Law Dog can help you understand your options. We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis, offer free consultations, and can travel to meet with injured clients when needed.
Contact us today to speak with a dog bite attorney in University Park.
