When you have been bitten and injured by someone’s dog, you may be reeling from the trauma of the incident. You may also be wondering what legal options you have to address the mounting financial costs.
Depending on the circumstances of the injury, you may have a legal case for compensation. A Katy dog bite lawyer could investigate the situation further to help determine whether the dog owner can be held liable for the event. Our determined personal injury attorney could explore all the way you could recover the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.
An attorney could provide a wide range of assistance in navigating a dog bite claim in Katy, including in determining the most appropriate theory of liability to deploy in the case. The right theory of liability will depend on the underlying elements of the case and the dog’s own history of aggressiveness.
Texas is one of a handful of states that follow the one-bite rule. If the dog bit someone even just once in the past, and then they bite and injure another person again, that person can sue the dog owner for the attack due to strict liability, even if they did not act negligently.
The legal theory of strict liability could also apply in cases where the dog had a history of aggressive, violent, or otherwise dangerous tendencies. If the owner knew this, but did not take the appropriate steps to prevent their animal from inflicting injury, they could be on the legal hook for damages if their dog harms someone.
In situations where the one-bite rule does not apply, there could still be a road to compensation for injured victims. For example, even if the dog owner did not have a reason to think that their animal posed a threat to other people, but they failed to take reasonable care to stop the animal from inflicting harm, they could liable under the legal theory of negligence.
A Katy attorney could assist with all aspects of launching a compelling and effective claim for damages in the aftermath of a dog bite incident. A serious dog bite or other dog attack could inflict serious injuries, including broken bones, scarring, disfigurement, and nerve damage. In rare cases, there may even be a wrongful death action.
Plaintiffs could be entitled to multiple forms of compensation for their economic and non-economic damages resulting from the dog bite. Compensation for economic damages could include the value of the person’s past and future medical expenses, and any other direct costs related to the injury, like lost wages. Non-economic damages could include pain, suffering, and emotional anguish stemming from the incident.
Most people who endure dog bites have just two years to get a lawsuit filed, though. If they miss the two-year deadline, they could forfeit their right to compensation. It is wise to contact an attorney promptly to see what legal options are available and ensure that the filing deadline is not an issue.
A serious dog bite could leave you grappling with painful and expensive injuries. If the dog owner failed to take care to restrain their animal even though they knew about its aggressive tendencies or was otherwise negligent in their handling of the animal, you may have a valid personal injury claim.
A Katy dog bite lawyer could help you seek any and all compensation that may be owed to you. Schechter, Shaffer & Harris could provide the unwavering support and aggressive legal assistance you need to pursue the best outcome for your case. Call now to speak with an attorney about your recent dog bite incident and discuss your best legal options.
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