Dog attacks can leave people with severe injuries that affect them physically and mentally for years. Their injuries could require extensive medical attention and require them to time from work.
If a dog bit or attacked you or a loved one, you could be eligible to collect compensation with the help of a seasoned injury attorney. A Pearland dog bite lawyer could help you seek monetary damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Does Texas Follow the One Bite Rule?
For the “one bite rule,” the injured party will need to prove to the civil court that the dog owner already knew their animal was dangerous to other people. To do this, the plaintiff will need to show evidence that the dog bit or attempted to bite another person before their injury occurred. The plaintiff can also apply this rule if there is sufficient evidence the dog may attack because of the aggressive or hostile nature of the canine.
If that is not possible to prove the “one bite rule,” you will need to establish that the pet owner was negligent to collect damages for your injuries. A Pearland dog bite attorney could review the specifics of your case and help determine whether your canine attack case qualifies for the one bite rule.
Proving Pet Owner Negligence After a Canine Attack
To recover compensation for negligence after a dog bite or attack, you must prove to the civil court that the pet owner did not use ordinary care. Liability could extend to other keepers of the dog, including trainers, dog walkers, boarders, or anyone responsible for the animal at the time of the incident.
Examples of ordinary care could be failing to keep the dog on a leash or failing to keep the dog locked safely behind a fence. If you can prove negligence, the court could award you compensation for the damages you suffered.
Impact of Comparative Negligence
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies- § 33.003 requires the court to determine the percentage of responsibility for each party. Meaning, the state may hold the injured party partially at fault for their injuries in some cases. If this does occur, the court will deduct any percentage of fault they attribute to the injured party from the gross award amount. state If the court finds the injured party more than 50 percent responsible for their injuries, they will not receive any compensation for their damages.
Instances that could result in a plaintiff being determined as partially responsible include antagonizing or provoking the animal or trespassing on the pet owner’s property. An experienced Pearland dog bite lawyer could answer any questions on the statute and regulations and help you calculate compensation.
Call a Pearland Dog Bite Attorney to Book a Consultation
Animal owners are accountable for their pets at all times and need to take the necessary precautions to keep the public safe. If they fail to maintain control of their dog, resulting in your injuries, you have every right to hold them accountable. Contact a qualified Pearland dog bite lawyer today to discuss your case.