Personal Injury Dog Attack

We love dogs. However sometimes it is necessary to sue
dog owners who fail to take responsibility for the welfare of their pets, especially when that failure causes injury to a neighbor, pedestrian, or worse yet, a child. Children are the most common victims of dog bites, and often receive the worst injuries Many people have misconceptions about dog bites that stop them from seeking legal help because they do not know the law. We encourage you to contact a JWE attorney to discuss some of the law’s requirements imposed upon pet owners that we discuss below.

The “One Bite Rule”

Texas law follows the ancient doctrine called the "one bite rule." This doctrine imposes liability upon an dog owner in the following circumstances: 1) the owner knew that the dog had bitten someone previously or had the dangerous propensity to bite a person; 2) the owner was negligent in the way the dog was handled or leashed; 3) the accident was caused by a violation of a leash law; or 4) the owner/handler intentionally allowed the dog to bite.

At JWE, we cover all angles to make sure our clients are fully compensated for:

    Lacerations, punctures and stitches

    Scarring or plastic surgery

    Nerve damage or infections

    Painful rabies shots for the victim

    Injuries suffered in escaping an attack

    Emotional trauma

If you or a family member are a victim of a dog attach in Texas, you should:

    Cleanse the wound with soap and warm water.

    Seek medical attention.

    Notify your local animal control agency about your dog bite incident. Give as much information as you can, including, the sequence of events and any information about the dog.

    Photograph the injuries resulting from the dog attack.

    Photograph the area in which the attack occurred.

    Collect contact information from all witnesses of the dog attack.

    Do not sign anything from the dog owner, insurance company, or anyone else involved in the attack.