Dog bites can leave victims with serious injuries that may result in medical treatments. If you a dog has bitten you in Texas, you might be wondering what your options for compensation are. At Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, a Texas dog bite lawyer can help you make sense of state laws that govern dog bites.
When diving into these laws, our firm can also help you determine the liable party in your dog bite attack and who is responsible for paying the claim.
For instance, dog owners will typically be responsible for paying your insurance claim. As the Insurance Information Institute (III) states, most homeowners and renters insurance policies will cover dog bite liability expenses. However, these liability limits typically range from $100,000 to $300,000, which means the dog owner would be responsible for expenses above these limits.
If you have been bitten by a dog, a Texas dog bite lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you seek fair compensation. To learn more, call us today at (800) 816-0755.
Determining How Much You Could Receive in Awards
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 1 in 5 dog bites will require medical attention as more than 4.5 million Americans are bitten each year. If you required medical attention after a dog bite in Texas, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm could help you seek compensation to cover these damages.
Your awards from a dog bite attack may be economic (such as medical expenses) and non-economic (such as pain and suffering). With the help of a Texas dog bite lawyer, you can determine fair compensation for your claim by monetizing each of your damages.
Your awards may include, but not limited to:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Emergency transportation costs
- Rehabilitation or therapy
- Lost wages
- Limited earning capacity
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Once we have reviewed your damages, we can combine their dollar values to determine the basis of our settlement negotiations.
How Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Support Your Dog Bite Case
Aside from reviewing your damages and determining fair compensation for your dog bite claim, a Texas dog bite lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can continue to support your case.
For instance, we can help you identify the owner of the dog and establish liability. Under the Texas Supreme Court’s 1974 ruling in Marshall v. Ranne, dog bite injury claims are filed under the basis of the “one bite” or from negligence.
Under the basis of negligence, the plaintiff (you or your loved one) must prove the dog owner failed to use reasonable care in preventing their pet from biting and injuring you. The “one bite rule” means a dog owner can be held liable if:
- The dog bit someone previously.
- The owner is aware that their dog’s breed is dangerous.
- The dog is prone to biting.
Before Pintas & Mullins Law Firm helps identify a liable party or monetizes your damages, we offer you a free case evaluation so that you can explain your accident and injury from your perspective.
If you hire us, your attorney will begin to work on your case and:
- Investigate your dog bite attack
- Obtain evidence (such as police reports, medical documentation, photographs of your injury, etc.)
- Speak with eyewitnesses
- Review your medical records
- Advise additional medical treatment when necessary
- Handle all communications with insurance companies involved in the claim
- Negotiate for an insurance settlement on your behalf
- File a potential personal injury lawsuit
- Handle the entirety of your legal case
Throughout the entire legal process of your claim, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm will always protect your rights. To learn more, call us to begin your free case evaluation today.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 794-0444
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Texas for Dog Bites
Generally, your first option for pursuing compensation is negotiating a settlement with the dog owner’s insurance company. If we cannot secure fair compensation during these negotiations, we will file a personal injury lawsuit in court on your behalf.
When filing a personal injury lawsuit in Texas, you must do so within the statute of limitations. For dog bite claims, your case would be considered a personal injury lawsuit. According to the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, personal injury lawsuit claimants generally have up to two years from the date of their dog bite to file a lawsuit.
If the lawsuit is filed beyond the statute of limitations, a judge overseeing the claim will likely dismiss it.
Hire a Texas Dog Bite Lawyer Today
At the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, we can help Texas dog bite victims start the legal process as soon as possible to work on your claim or file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Thus, the sooner you act, the sooner our law firm can get started investigating your dog bite attack.
Once we have gathered all the necessary information related to your dog bite, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm may file a claim with the dog owner’s insurer. After the initial filing, your attorney can still work to negotiate a settlement with the dog owner’s insurance company. However, there is no telling how long these negotiations for fair compensation may last. As you look to focus on recovering from your dog bite injury, our law firm can handle all legal matters on your behalf.
To learn more about seeking justice for your dog bite in Texas, call us today at (800) 816-0755.
Call or text (800) 794-0444 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form