Were you or a family member injured in a dog attack in Houston, TX? Call Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers at (281) 888-2339 for a free consultation. Our Houston dog bite lawyers can help you determine your legal options and follow through with recovering the compensation you need and deserve from there.
Our top-rated personal injury law firm has 100 years of combined experience advocating for injured victims throughout the State of Texas, securing over $100 million on their behalf in that time. We thoroughly understand how to handle serious dog bite cases both in and out of the courtroom, if necessary.
Call our Houston personal injury attorneys today or message us online to learn more. We can advise you on what you should do next during your free case review.
Why Should I Hire Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers After a Dog Bite in Houston, Texas?
The Houston dog bite attorney you choose can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Texas law on animal attacks is more fact-driven than many people realize, and insurance companies often push back hard when a claim involves long-term physical and emotional harm.
There are several reasons to consider hiring our Houston personal injury lawyers after a dog bite in Texas:
- We have a full century of combined experience handling complex personal injury claims.
- We have secured numerous verdicts and settlements in the six- and seven-figure range.
- We understand how insurers in Houston, Texas, evaluate dog bite cases and know how to respond appropriately.
- We have a vast network of resources, including established relationships with top-rated experts.
- We will make your case a top priority and will ensure you’re kept up to date at all times.
Get in touch with our team at Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and get more information on how we can help you take legal action.
How Do Texas’s Dog Bite Laws Work?
Texas does not have a single statewide dog bite statute that automatically holds an owner responsible for every injury that occurs in these circumstances. Instead, dog bite claims in Texas are typically based on either negligence principles, local ordinances, or the “one-bite rule.”
In general, you may be able to hold a dog owner or another party liable if:
- The dog had a known history of aggression or prior attacks, or
- The owner failed to use reasonable care in controlling or restraining the dog, or
- The owner violated a Houston leash law or animal-control ordinance.
Under the “one-bite rule,” a dog owner can be held strictly liable if they knew or should have known that their dog was dangerous, such as when a dog has bitten or seriously threatened someone in the past.
In other situations, you may need to demonstrate that the owner was negligent (i.e., careless). Examples can include things like letting a dog roam freely in a neighborhood or failing to secure the animal on private property.
How Much Is My Houston Dog Bite Claim Worth?
It depends, because no two dog bite cases are exactly the same. The value of your claim will depend on how seriously you were hurt and how the attack has affected your life. Some victims need only basic medical care, while others require surgery and long-term treatment to manage their resulting trauma.
When we evaluate the value of a Houston dog bite case, we will consider factors such as:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- Whether you suffered permanent scarring or disfigurement
- The cost of your past and anticipated future medical treatment
- The amount of income you lost while recovering
- Whether your ability to work in the future has been affected
- The impact of the attack on your daily activities and quality of life
- Any emotional or psychological conditions that may be present
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
- How fault is assigned among all liable parties
- The amount of insurance coverage available
We will take the time to understand the full picture before placing a value on your case. That includes speaking with your doctors, reviewing medical records, and, when appropriate, consulting with experts who can explain the full impact of your injuries.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Houston, Texas?
Texas law allows dog bite victims to pursue economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate you for the financial losses you’ve sustained because of the attack, such as:
- Medical bills, including future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Costs related to scarring treatment and reconstructive care
Non-economic damages represent the personal impact of the attack and often include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
Punitive damages may be available in rare situations involving extreme or intentional misconduct.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Houston?
Most dog bite attorneys in Houston, including ours, work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay a cent up front or by the hour to hire us, and we only get paid for our work if we recover compensation for you.
If your case is successful, our fee will be a percentage of the settlement or verdict we win on your behalf. Otherwise, you pay us absolutely nothing in terms of attorney’s fees.
We’ll go over all these details and answer all of your questions about this arrangement and our services before you sign our contingency fee agreement.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Dog Bite in Texas?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence statute, which means you can typically still recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% responsible. However, any percentage of fault assigned to you will generally reduce your total recovery amount.
Since accusations of blame can significantly impact your case, it’s important to respond quickly to allegations like these. Insurance companies frequently make these claims without proper evidence, and our dog bite lawyers can help you respond effectively so that you can recover all that you’re owed under the law.
How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Texas?
The Texas statute of limitations generally gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this time limit typically means losing your right to pursue compensation altogether.
Some cases may involve different timelines, such as when a government entity or a minor is involved. To preserve your rights and ensure all of the applicable deadlines are met, it’s best to speak with a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible after the incident.
How Can a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer Help With a Dog Bite Claim?
Dog bite cases in Texas are relatively complex due to the current legal framework, as discussed above. It can be challenging to understand your legal options and how to proceed with them. A qualified Houston personal injury lawyer can step in to protect your interests and manage the legal process while you focus on healing.
Some of the ways a lawyer can help include:
- Investigating the attack and gathering key evidence
- Determining who is legally responsible under Texas’s dog bite and negligence rules
- Calculating the full extent of your damages, including future medical needs
- Communicating and negotiating with insurance companies
- Responding to attempts to blame you for the incident
- Preparing your case for court if a fair settlement isn’t offered
Scheduling a free consultation with a qualified attorney is one of the best steps you can take after being attacked by a dog in Houston. Get in touch with our law firm today to get started.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Dog Bite Injuries in Houston, TX?
Other parties, in addition to the animal’s owner, can sometimes share responsibility for a dog bite incident. For instance, a landlord, property manager, or business owner may be liable if they are aware of a dangerous dog on the premises and fail to address the risk.
Proving these elements often requires detailed evidence, such as:
- Witness statements
- Animal control records
- Police reports
- Veterinary and vaccination records
- Security camera footage
- Prior complaints involving the same dog
Our personal injury lawyers can gather and analyze this evidence to help establish what happened and why the responsible party should be held liable.
Contact Our Houston Dog Bite Attorneys To Schedule a Free Initial Consultation
Were you bitten or attacked by a dog in Houston, TX? You deserve a legal team that understands what’s at stake and knows how to hold negligent dog owners liable for all of your damages. That’s where Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers comes in.
Contact our Houston dog bite lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll work hard to help you make the most of your opportunity for legal recourse.
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Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Houston, TX
Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers Houston
5177 Richmond Ave. Suite 1065, Houston, TX 77056
(281) 888-2339
