Dogs are extremely loving creatures, but they are still animals and when they are mishandled or improperly restrained, they can also be vicious. Dog bite attacks are not only physically painful but also emotionally upsetting and scarring. If you or your child have been bitten by a dog as a result of a dog owner’s negligence, you may have grounds for a legal claim. At Sorey & Hoover, LLP, our Longview personal injury attorneys are committed to providing dedicated representation for the victims of dog bites.
Please contact us today at (903) 230-5600 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Understanding Texas Dog Bite Laws
As with any personal injury claim, the main element of a dog bite case is gathering evidence and proving liability. Texas is a “negligence” or “one bite rule” state when it comes to dog bite and dog attack cases, meaning that dog owners have the responsibility to properly restrain their animals or warn others about violent tendencies. If the bite occurred while you were legally on another person’s property, this will likely fall under premises liability law. There may also be other laws that apply, depending on the circumstances, such as violations of leash laws.
We work to hold the dog owner liable by proving one or more of the following conditions:
- That the dog bite injury occurred as a result of inaction or intentional action of the dog owner
- That the dog bite injury occurred as a result of the owner breaking an animal control law
- That the owner had previous knowledge of the dog’s violent tendencies or past bite incidents
- That the dog bite injury occurred as a result of dog owner negligence
Dog owners in Texas may sometimes face criminal charges in addition to civil liability if a dog bite causes catastrophic bodily injury or if it was caused by a grossly negligent act, such as allowing a known dangerous dog to roam freely. Whatever the case may be, you can trust our attorneys to thoroughly review the details of your case and help you explore every legal option in pursuit of compensation.
Dog Bite Consequences
Big or small, dog bites hurt, and carry a lot of potential dangers with them. Apart from the wound itself, which can be a devastating injury on its own, there are many diseases and infections that you can get when a dog bites you.
- Rabies: Getting rabies from a dog is uncommon, but not impossible. Laws require that all dogs receive rabies shots to prevent them from getting and then spreading the disease, but not all owners follow this rule. The rabies virus spreads rapidly to the brain and is almost always fatal when symptoms start to appear. If you have been bitten by a dog, even if it is a small bite, be sure to speak with a medical professional to find out if a rabies shot is needed.
- Pasteurella: This bacteria is found in nearly half of all infected dog bites, which means chances are high you’ll get it if you’ve been bitten. Usually, it presents itself as a red, inflamed, and painful infection around the dog bite wound. It can be treated with antibiotics, but may pose a more significant danger to anyone with a poor immune system.
- MRSA: Dogs and other animals can carry MRSA without presenting any symptoms. But when spread to humans, the staph infection has the potential to turn deadly. Because MRSA is among the “superbugs”, it’s resistant to typical treatments, and it may take time for your doctor to find the correct antibiotic to get rid of it.
- Tetanus: Tetanus is a toxin produced by certain bacteria. In deep dog bites, if proper treatment hasn’t been given, the toxin can result in rigid paralysis.
- Capnocytophaga: This bacteria typically does not get dogs sick, and so it’s almost impossible to know if a dog has it. In people, however, it has the potential to cause sepsis if left untreated.
If you are bitten by a dog, after taking photos for evidence, always disinfect the wound. A medical professional should know to do this for you, but double-check. Even if a dog bite seems superficial, it can still result in infection or disease, which means hospital stays, medical costs, and pain and suffering. Someone being irresponsible and losing control of their dog shouldn’t mean you have to spend the next few years swimming in medical debt and lost wages. It’s bad enough that you have to live through the trauma of a dog attack. You deserve compensation for your pain and damages.
Hire a Caring Dog Bite Injury Lawyer in Gregg County
The Longview personal injury attorneys at Sorey & Hoover, LLP are here to ensure that your rights or the rights of your child are protected. Our main goal is to protect your best interest and to help you recover compensation to cover the physical and financial impact of your injuries.
Schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys in Longview and Gregg County when you contact us at (903) 230-5600.
