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Dog Bites

A dog bite is a serious injury. A dog can cause puncture wounds, lacerations, infections, and permanent disfigurement. Dog attacks can also cause a victim significant emotional distress. Texas law holds dog owners responsible for bite injuries in many situations. If you or a loved one have injuries from a dog bite incident, contact the Huntsville, Texas attorneys at Haney Paschal & Romoser, P.C. You could qualify for compensation.

Why Choose Us?

Selecting your attorney is one of the most important parts of your personal injury claim. Why choose us?

  • We have decades of combined experience handling a variety of personal injury claims throughout Texas.
  • We have a strong network in the area to give our clients the best information for their legal needs.
  • We believe in personalized legal services and outstanding client care. We will visit you if you cannot make it to our office for an evaluation.

Haney Paschal & Romoser, P.C. appreciates the seriousness of a dog bite injury. Our lawyers will fight aggressively for the rights of victims.

Why You Need a Dog Bite Lawyer

A personal injury attorney can navigate the state’s complex dog bite laws on your behalf. Rather than trying to juggle your serious personal injuries and a civil claim, entrust your case to an attorney for peace of mind. You can focus on healing and rehabilitation while your lawyer takes care of settlement negotiations or a trial for you. You can trust a lawyer to put your best interests first, giving you complete confidence in your representation while you rest.

Texas Dog Bite Laws

Most states have specific dog bite statutes. Texas, however, does not have a particular law covering dog bite liability. Instead, Texas follows basic negligence rules in determining these cases. Previous case rulings have shown Texas to be a “one bite” state, meaning an injured party must show certain elements to have grounds for a lawsuit against a dog owner.

  1. The pet owner knew or reasonably should have known of the animal’s propensity for violence. A previous dog bite, growling, gnashing teeth, and attacking domestic animals are all examples of behaviors that would reasonably signify a dog’s potential for aggressiveness.
  2. The pet owner negligently failed to control the dog. All dog owners in Texas must obey local leash and curb laws. They cannot allow their dogs to run at large. Owners must exercise reasonable care in controlling their animals. What constitutes reasonable care will depend on the animal and the circumstances.
  3. The pet owner’s negligence contributed to the dog bite. The plaintiff’s attorney must show a causal link between the owner’s failure to control the dog and the dog bite. In other words, the owner’s lack of pet control (such as a leash or barrier) resulted in the dog being able to bite the victim.

Furthermore, the victim must have lawfully been on private property or in a public place at the time of the attack. Otherwise, the owner could use trespassing as a defense. The victim must also not have instigated the attack, such as by taunting the dog. Texas’ negligence laws apply to all types of injuries involving animals, including dogs jumping on victims and causing them to fall.

Contact Us Today

Proving negligence for a dog bite in Texas may take gathering evidence, speaking to neighbors or eyewitnesses, and learning more about the dog’s history. You have just two years from the date of the attack to file a civil claim for damages in the state of Texas. Contact one of our attorneys as soon as possible to start on your case. You could receive compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Request your free personal injury consultation in Huntsville at (936) 295-3712.