According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 45.5 percent of households in the United States in 2024 own a pet dog. There are over 89.7 million of these beloved pets nationwide. Unfortunately, the popularity of pet dogs does not eliminate the possibility that they may sometimes attack. Contact a dog bite injury attorney in Dallas from The Wilhite Law Firm.
Although dogs are often considered members of the family, even seemingly gentle dogs can bite or attack. This leaves victims with painful injuries, psychological trauma, and costly medical bills. In those cases, hire a personal injury attorney to advise you on the legal steps to take after suffering a dog bite injury, including handling legal proceedings, filing lawsuits, and negotiating settlements. You need to get in touch with one of our Dallas dog bite injury attorneys today.
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Why Choose Our Dog Bite Injury Lawyers in Dallas
If you were injured in a dog attack at no fault of your own, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. The dog bite attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm are committed to providing excellent legal representation to injury victims throughout Texas. Contact our office today for a free consultation with an experienced Dallas dog bite lawyer.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Dallas?
Dog bites are all too common in the United States. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year. In 2023 alone, 19,062 dog bite claims were filed nationwide, costing home insurance providers almost $1,116 million in payouts.
In that same year, 1,040 dog-bite claims were filed in Texas, the third-highest number in the nation after California and Florida. The average cost of each claim was $59,925, and the total value of all claims filed reached $62.3 million. If you are involved in a dog bite case, it is important to take steps to protect your health and legal rights after the attack.
Postal workers and delivery drivers are particularly vulnerable to dog bites and attacks. According to the United States Postal Service (USPS), nearly 5,800 postal workers were attacked by dogs throughout the country in 2023. 39 postal workers were attacked by dogs in Dallas that year, the seventh-highest number of attacks of all cities in the country. If a dog bite injures you, don’t hesitate to talk with one of our Dallas dog bite attorneys today for free.
How Can a Dog Owner Be Held Responsible When Their Dog Attacks?
In Texas, there are three main routes to holding a dog’s owner responsible for injuries caused by their pets: the “one-bite rule,” civil negligence, and criminal negligence. This section addresses each route in turn.
1. The “One-Bite Rule”
Though the Texas legislature has not enacted a statute specifically outlining civil liability for dog attacks, the Texas Supreme Court addressed the issue when it adopted the so-called “one-bite rule” in the case of Marshall v. Ranne (1974). According to this rule, if the dog owner knew or should have known that their pet is dangerous, they may be held strictly liable when the pet injures someone in an attack. One previous attack or show of aggression is enough to put the dog owner on notice. A dog bite victim can seek damages in a personal injury lawsuit if the dog’s owner acted negligently after the first incident.
2. Civil Negligence
Just because a dog has never attacked someone before does not mean its owner gets off the hook in the event of a first attack. In dog bite cases, injured victims may still try to hold the owner accountable by arguing that they were negligent.
Negligence arises when a dog owner fails to take reasonable care to ensure that their dog does not hurt anyone. In cases where the owner violated a law meant to keep people safe — the violation itself may be evidence of negligence. For example, failing to keep their dog leashed at a public park in violation of a city ordinance is negligence.
3. Criminal Negligence
Though Texas has no statute on the books outlining civil liability for dog attacks, it does have one outlining a dog owner’s criminal liability. Conviction under this statute leads to serious legal consequences. Specifically, a dog owner can be charged with a felony if:
- They fail to secure their dog and the dog causes serious injury or death in an unprovoked attack while at a location other than the owner’s
- They know the dog is dangerous and the dog causes serious injury or death in an unprovoked attack while outside of a secure enclosure.
The dog owner can be charged with a third-degree felony if the attack results in serious injuries. They could also be charged a second-degree felony if the victim is killed in the attack. A third-degree felony may result in anywhere between 2-10 years imprisonment. Consequently, a second-degree felony may result in 2-20 years imprisonment. Convicted defendants may also be fined up to $10,000.
What Compensation Is Available for a Dallas Dog Bite Claim in Dallas?
The compensation available for a dog attack will vary widely depending on the nature of the attack. For context, the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (ADPT) categorizes dog attacks into six levels based on severity:
- Level 1 – Obnoxious or aggressive behavior but no skin contact by teeth.
- Level 2 – Skin contact by teeth present, but no vertical skin punctures. Scratches, nicks, and slight bleeding may be present.
- Level 3 – One to four puncture wounds from a single bite. No puncture is deeper than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. Cuts may be present due to the victim pulling away from the dog or the owner pulling the dog away from the victim.
- Level 4 – One to four puncture wounds from a single bite. At least one puncture wound is longer than half the length of the dog’s canine teeth. Deep bruising and cuts may be present.
- Level 5 – Multiple-bite incident with at least two Level 4 bites or multiple-attack incident with at least one Level 4 bite in each.
- Level 6 – The victim is killed.
Dog bite injury cases often involve claims for both economic and non-economic damages. Victims can pursue these damages based on the severity of their injuries.
The more severe the injuries a dog attack victim sustains, the more compensation they may be entitled to. Depending on the case, dog bite victims may be compensated for:
If the victim of the attack dies, their family and estate may also seek compensation through a wrongful death or survival action. Contact one of our Dallas dog bite lawyers today.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Dallas?
Yes. In Texas, the statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of a dog attack to file a dog bite lawsuit or a personal injury lawsuit. If you try to file your case after the deadline passes, it will most likely be dismissed in court.
Though most dog bite injury claims are settled out of court, it is still very important to preserve your ability to sue. You should do this in case a fair out-of-court settlement cannot be reached. This means that it is essential that you comply with the governing deadline. Failure to do so will severely limit your legal right to compensation. Our Dallas attorneys will help.
Contact Our Dog Bite Injury Attorneys in Dallas Today
Again, though dogs are beloved pets throughout the country, this does not eliminate the possibility that they may sometimes attack. If you were injured in a dog attack at no fault of your own, chances are you are entitled to compensation from the pet owner. Do not wait to speak to our team of personal injury attorneys. Contact the Dallas dog bite injury lawyers at The Wilhite Law Firm through (303) 466-3529 or through our online form for a free consultation today. Our law firm can help you get the compensation you deserve.
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