A Plano dog bite attorney helps bite victims pursue compensation under Texas’s negligence-based dog bite law, which generally requires showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. An attorney investigates the dog’s history, gathers evidence of the owner’s negligence, and pursues compensation for medical treatment, scarring, and emotional distress caused by the attack.
Dog bites pose a serious risk to our communities. Each year, millions of people are bitten by dogs across the country. If this has happened to you, it’s important to speak with our team of Plano dog bite injury attorneys — you are not alone.
People are often surprised by the damage dog bites can do. As experienced dog bite injury attorneys in Plano TX, we’ve seen some of the more serious case scenarios, and we’ve recovered compensation for clients and their families. We can help you pursue the same. Contact the attorneys at Jim Ross Law for a free consultation.
Understanding Dog Bite Laws in Texas
Unlike many other states, Texas does not have a specific civil statute for dog bites. Instead, it generally follows the “one bite rule.” This rule essentially means that once a dog has bitten someone, or shown a tendency toward aggression, its owner should be aware of that tendency going forward. If you’re bitten by a dog, you generally must show negligence to recover compensation, meaning you must show that:
- The dog’s owner knew of the dog’s tendency to be aggressive
- The dog’s owner negligently failed to use reasonable care to control the dog or prevent the bite
- You were bitten as a result of the dog owner’s negligence
Where Compensation Can Come From
Dog bite claims are often paid through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, which typically includes liability coverage for injuries caused by pets. If the dog belonged to a renter, the property owner or landlord may also share responsibility in certain circumstances, such as if they knew about a dangerous dog on the property and failed to act. Identifying every available source of compensation is part of what our Plano dog bite injury attorneys do for clients.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite injuries can range from minor puncture wounds to serious harm, including deep lacerations, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and infections. Children are particularly vulnerable to facial and neck injuries because of their height relative to the dog. Beyond the physical injury, many victims also experience lasting emotional distress or a fear of dogs after an attack, both of which can factor into the value of a claim.
Top Plano Dog Bite Injury Attorneys
If you were bitten by a dog, it’s important to align with experienced dog bite injury attorneys in Plano TX. Dog bite laws in Texas can be confusing, and the defendant might claim a lack of knowledge of the dog’s dangerous tendencies or claim that you were trespassing. Fortunately, you can fight your case with the right team of personal injury lawyers. Here are some reasons to choose us for your dog bite case:
- All cases handled by our attorneys — not paralegals
- No upfront costs for dog bite cases — no matter the outcome, you don’t pay us a dime
- Experienced dog bite injury attorneys in Plano TX with a proven track record
- Free consultations
- Strong community ties — we care about the people we serve
To schedule your free consultation with our Plano dog bite injury attorneys, call Jim Ross Law at 817-275-4100. Together, we’ll work to get you the fair compensation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a dog bite in Plano?
Seek medical treatment right away, since dog bites carry a real risk of infection even when they look minor. Try to get the dog owner’s contact and insurance information, take photos of your injuries, and identify any witnesses. Reporting the bite to local animal control can also help create an official record of the incident.
Do I have to prove the dog had bitten someone before to win my case?
Not necessarily. While Texas’s ‘one bite rule’ is often associated with a prior bite, you can still recover compensation by showing the owner knew or reasonably should have known the dog had aggressive tendencies, through prior growling, lunging, or warning signs, even without a documented previous bite.
Will filing a claim get the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance canceled?
That’s a decision between the dog owner and their insurance company, not something within your control. Most dog bite claims are simply paid out under the existing liability coverage in a homeowner’s or renter’s policy, which exists for exactly this kind of situation.
What if I was bitten by a dog while it was off its owner’s property?
You can still pursue a claim if the same negligence standard is met — that the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous and failed to control it. The location of the bite matters less than whether the owner’s negligence caused the attack.
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Texas?
Dog bite injury claims in Texas are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the bite. Because evidence like witness memory and the dog’s behavior history can fade over time, it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.