Don’t struggle with the consequences of a dog bite on your own. If you or your child were recently bitten by a dog in Galveston, TX, call The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers. Our Galveston dog bite lawyers can help you pursue a much-needed financial award from the dog’s owner and anyone else who might be liable for the attack.
Since 2000, The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers has fiercely advocated for dog bite victims in the Galveston area of TX. We’re award-winning litigators with 58+ years of experience. Our results speak volumes, with over $500 million in settlements and jury verdicts in cases involving Galveston pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, Galveston brain Injuries, medical malpractice, and more.
It’s time to fight for the compensation you deserve. Let The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers help you make the most of your claim. Contact our law office in Galveston, TX, at (409) 207-9299 to learn more. Your initial case assessment is free.
How The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Dog Bite in Galveston, TX
When a dog bites, the results can be catastrophic. No matter the breed, resulting injuries can be debilitating, painful, costly, and traumatic. As the victim of a dog bite, you deserve to be compensated for all of the pain and suffering you’ve endured.
However, a dog’s owner will not be quick to admit fault or cut you a check. Their insurance company will actively work against your interests, trying to find a reason to deny your claim or shift blame in your direction.
That’s where The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
When you put our award-winning Galveston injury lawyers on the case, you’ll send a clear message to other parties: you’re not going to be pushed around or manipulated into accepting a deal for less than your dog bite injury case is worth.
Hiring our law firm gives you time to recover from your dog bite injuries while we take care of the rest.
We will:
- Determine if the dog has a history of aggression or aggressive tendencies
- Gather medical records, vet records, video recordings of the incident, witness statements, and other evidence that can be crucial to a successful legal claim
- Carefully investigate the dog attack to determine how and why it happened
- Defend against allegations that you provoked the animal or are otherwise responsible for the attack
- Construct a compelling claim that forces the dog’s owner (and other defendants) to negotiate fairly and extend a reasonable settlement
- Bring your dog bite lawsuit to court and fight to get you a top-dollar verdict at trial
Between medical bills and lost wages, a dog bite can be quite expensive. The good news is that hiring The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to handle your case won’t add to your financial stress. Our dog bite attorneys in Galveston area work on contingency. You pay absolutely nothing for our help unless we get compensation for your dog bite case.
Learn more about the benefits of working with our top-rated Texas trial lawyers by setting up a time for a free, confidential case evaluation. We’re always here to take your call – 24/7/365.
Are Dog Bites Common in Texas?
Nationwide, about 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year. The CDC estimates that someone is bitten by a dog every 75 seconds. Many of these dog bites are serious, resulting in about 1,000 hospitalizations a day.
Children are the most frequent victims of dog bites, accounting for more than half of all injuries. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are most likely to be bitten.
Few states report more dog bites every year than Texas. In fact, Texas ranked sixth in the nation in dog-related injury claims in 2021. That year, State Farm paid over $5.1 million to settle 137 dog bite injury claims.
Does Texas Have a One-Bite Rule?
Yes, Texas does have a one-bite rule – as established by the state’s supreme court.
What does this mean? The dog’s owner is not automatically responsible for damages if their dog bites you. The dog’s owner is strictly liable for injuries if the dog has a history of aggression.
In other words, the dog’s first bite is free.
What Do I Have To Prove To Win My Galveston Dog Bite Lawsuit?
It depends.
If the dog has not been aggressive or bitten anyone before, you will have the burden of proving that the dog’s owner (or another defendant) was negligent.
In a dog bite case, this means you’ll have to establish the following elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached this duty of care in some way
- The defendant’s actions (or inaction) were the direct and proximate cause of a dog bite, and
- You’ve been injured or lost a close family member, as a result.
For instance, a dog’s owner might be considered negligent if they violated Galveston leash laws, didn’t have their yard properly fenced, or allowed their dog to roam loose in the neighborhood.
If the dog has a history of aggression, then the dog’s owner can be strictly liable for resulting injuries. In these situations, you would have the burden of proving:
- You were bitten by a dog while in public or lawfully on private property
- The defendant owned or was responsible for the dog
- The dog has a history of aggression, and
- You’ve suffered damages.
You don’t have to show that the dog’s owner was negligent or careless in caring for the animal. In fact, liability can attach even if the owner went to great lengths to keep you safe.
What Damages Can I Get if I’ve Been Bitten by a Dog in Galveston?
After you’ve been bitten by a dog in Galveston, TX, you may have the right to recover compensatory damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Compensatory damages fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages help to offset financial losses associated with a dog bite, such as:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages and earnings
- Disability
- Nursing care
- Rehabilitation
- Funeral expenses
Non-economic damages can help to make up for the hard-to-value consequences of being bitten by a dog, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may be available if there’s evidence that the dog’s owner instructed the dog to attack you or displayed behavior that was grossly negligent.
What’s My Dog Bite Case Worth in Galveston, Texas?
Many factors can be relevant when assessing what a dog bite injury claim is worth. These include:
- What type of injury did you suffer when you were bitten?
- Are your injuries permanent?
- How long will you require medical treatment and care?
- Can you still work?
- How old are you?
- Is someone other than the dog’s owner potentially liable for the dog bite?
- How extreme are the emotional and psychological consequences of the dog bite?
- Are you being accused of provoking the animal?
The more severe your injuries – and the more your life will change because of the dog attack – the more your claim for damages will typically be worth.
You can learn more about the potential value of your dog bite injury claim by calling an experienced personal injury attorney near you in the Galveston area for help. The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers is here whenever you need us most.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs have incredibly powerful jaws and sharp teeth that are capable of inflicting serious, potentially fatal injuries.
At The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you fight to get compensation for all of your dog bite injuries, including:
- Cuts and abrasions
- Puncture wounds
- Infection
- Infectious disease
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injury
- Complete or partial amputation
- Nerve damage
- Eye injury
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Catastrophic injury
You can potentially reduce the likelihood of complications by seeking prompt medical attention after you’ve been bitten by a dog in Galveston. Once your condition is documented and stable, call our dog bite attorneys in Galveston to discuss your legal rights and options.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim After I’ve Been Bitten By a Dog in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most dog bite lawsuits is two years.
This applies to dog bites resulting in personal injury or wrongful death.
If you don’t file a claim before time runs out, you’ll lose the opportunity to hold the dog’s owner accountable for your injuries and suffering.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Galveston Dog Bite Attorney
If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Galveston, you may have a legitimate claim for damages against the dog’s owner, a business, a landlord, or another responsible party. The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers has the experience and resources needed to make the most of your fight for compensation.
Call our Galveston dog bite lawyers to get started.
You’ll benefit from a team with 58+ years of experience that’s won over $500 million for deserving clients like you.
We offer a free initial case evaluation, so reach out to schedule yours today.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office In Galveston, TX
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers
2101 Mechanic St #253
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409) 207-9299
Business Hours: Open 24 hours daily
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