It’s common for San Antonio residents, and people all over the United States, to own dogs. It’s also common for canines to attack people. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 2 percent of Americans are attacked by dogs. These attacks are often passed off as nothing because the attacks come from a neighbor’s dog. However, if the injuries from a dog bite are serious, you have legal rights. Texas law says that a dog owner is responsible for the harm the animal does to third parties. Usually, home insurance policies will cover the damages that animals cause to third parties. Make sure you contact a personal injury lawyer if a dog or any other animal attacks you or a loved one.
If you have sustained a dog bite, you need legal help from a trusted San Antonio injury attorney. The Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS has the experience and expertise you need:
In 2007, Texas implemented Lillian’s Law, which holds dog owners responsible for injuries or deaths caused by their dogs. it provides for the criminal conviction of a dog owner if the prosecution can prove that the dog’s owner either knew (because the dog had bitten or acted aggressively before) or should have known that the dog was susceptible to dangerously aggressive behavior.
Texas also follows a one bite rule based on Marshall v. Ranne, a 1974 decision issued by the Texas Supreme Court. This case determined that dog bite victims cannot recover compensation unless they prove both that:
The best way to avoid damages is to know how to respond to a dog attack before it happens and immediately seek medical attention if it does.
Dogs are known to strike your face, but it’s not uncommon for them to bite your leg, arm or another part of your body. Keep a lookout for dogs or owners that seem suspicious. There are several things you must do once you’ve been bitten by a dog: Call animal control, get your wounds treated by a medical professional, and call a lawyer with experience in animal attacks.
Our San Antonio personal injury lawyers have experience helping people who were attacked by dogs and other animals. Although dogs are the most common reports of animal attacks, it’s wise to keep an eye out for other vicious animals when visiting friends or even hanging out at a petting zoo. Children are especially prone to animal attacks since they might not know how to treat an animal properly, and they are generally smaller than adults.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, there may be several types of compensation available. At the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS, our dog bite lawyers will investigate what happened and want to secure the following damages:
Call the Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS to put a reliable team of animal attack injury lawyers on your side. Stop by our San Antonio office to schedule an appointment or call us at (210) 800-0000 for your free consultation.
