Legal Strategies in Dog Bite Cases

Although local county, city, and municipal entities often have animal and pet-related ordinances, Texas does not have a statewide law regarding dog bite cases. Instead, a dog bite victim in Texas could pursue a negligence claim. Negligence means that someone acted carelessly or recklessly, and someone else was injured as a result. When an owner knows that their dog can be aggressive or has had a history of biting people, they have a duty to take measures to prevent their dog from hurting someone. Some preventative measures include building a fence to contain their dog, keeping the dog on a leash, or keeping close watch over the dog when it interacts with others.

Every case is different, and dog owners can assert certain defenses to avoid liability. For example, if the injured person was trespassing on the owner’s property when the dog bit them, the owner would not be liable. Another defense is to show that the dog never had a history of being aggressive. As such, they would argue they were not negligent and, therefore, not liable. A skilled Sachse dog bite attorney could refute such arguments to ensure the negligent owner is held accountable for their dog’s actions.

Possible Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries

It is natural for those injured in animal attacks to want to seek compensation for their losses. Compensation—also known as damages in the legal world—can be economic or non-economic. Economic damages are financial expenses that the injured party suffered due to the dog’s attack. Non-economic damages cover losses that are non-monetary and more subjective. Some examples of economic damages include:

  • Loss of wages or future earning capacity
  • Medical expenses, including future treatment costs
  • Cost of assistive devices, like crutches or a wheelchair

Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, psychological counseling, and emotional distress.

Following a dog bite, an injured party must provide evidence demonstrating the full extent of their losses to get maximum compensation. That is where it is useful to have a lawyer come in. Monetary damages can be shown through medical bills, receipts, or a paycheck showing loss of wages due to the accident. Non-economic losses require more of a subjective approach, and a seasoned dog bite lawyer in Sachse will know how to navigate that.

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Reach Out to a Sachse Dog Bite Attorney Today

Do not wait to seek compensation if you have been injured by an unruly canine. If you wait too long, you will miss the statute of limitations, which is a specific time period after an incident occurs during which a claim can be filed. In Texas, that can be as little as two years. Call a Sachse dog bite lawyer at McCraw Law Group to get started on your claim.

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Get The Help You Need Contact McCraw Law Group

If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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If you are in need of a personal injury attorney in North Texas, please contact the team at McCraw Law Group today. We are ready to help you in a broad range of serious accident and injury legal issues, and offer multiple ways to reach us.

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