Dog Bite Lawyers in Houston, TX
Pines & Goldenzweig, PLLC represents dog bite victims in Houston, TX. Call 713-489-4410 to schedule your free consultation.
If you are bitten by a dog in Houston, your first call should be to a skilled dog bite lawyer. Dog bites are considered a form of personal injury, so Texas law gives you two years to file a lawsuit after the date of the bite. Your attorney will help you understand the relevant laws to determine whether it is worth filing a claim. If so, your lawyer will be by your side every step of the way.
Texas Dog Bite Law
Texas follows a “one bite rule.” To recover damages, you must be able to prove that:
- The dog’s owner knew the dog had previously bitten someone or was unusually aggressive
OR
- The dog’s owner was negligent in controlling the dog, and your injuries were directly caused by that negligence
Establishing Negligence
To establish negligence, you must be able to prove that the owner did not exercise reasonable care in protecting others from a dog bite. Allowing the dog to roam without a leash is a common example. If you were injured in another way, such as being knocked down by a free-ranging large dog, you may also be able to recover damages under the negligence rule.
Defenses to Dog Bite Liability in Texas
There are two basic defenses against liability in a dog bite claim:
Lack of knowledge: The owner used reasonable care in controlling the dog, such as a leash, and did not know of any previous bites or aggressive tendencies.
Trespassing: In Texas, trespassing is an automatic defense against liability. If you are bitten by someone’s dog while unlawfully on their property, you may not recover damages from the dog owner.
Dog bites are a form of personal injury. Like any personal injury case, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Texas dog bite laws can be a bit confusing, and it is your responsibility to prove that the owner is liable for damages. A skilled dog bite lawyer will help you decide whether to pursue a claim and stand by your side every step of the way.
If you were bitten by a dog in Houston, contact Pines & Goldenzweig, PLLC today at 713-489-4410 (English) or 713-766-0000 (Español) for a free case review and consultation.