Were you or someone close to you bitten by a dog in Austin, TX? If so, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. At Anderson Injury Lawyers, our Austin dog bite lawyers will fight to protect your legal rights and pursue the full compensation available. Contact our law office at (512) 399-5000 for a free consultation.
Our founding attorney, Mark Anderson, has over 30 years of legal experience, and our team has recovered more than $100 million for people just like you. When you’re ready, we’re here to walk you through your next steps.
Why Choose Anderson Injury Lawyers to Help After a Dog Bite Incident in Austin, Texas?
Dog bite cases aren’t always straightforward, but our Austin personal injury lawyers know how to handle them. At Anderson Injury Lawyers, we take pride in offering down-to-earth, honest legal assistance. Our focus is on you: your story, your recovery, and your future.
Here’s why so many people across Austin, Texas, have chosen to work with us:
- Over 2,500 five-star Google reviews
- Over $100 million recovered for injury clients
- Recognized by Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers “Top 100,” and other reputable legal organizations
- A thorough understanding of state and local laws on dog bites
When you call us, you’ll speak with a real person who listens. Our Austin dog bite attorneys will handle the legal aspects while you focus on your recovery.
Reach out to us today for a free consultation.
What Are Texas’s Dog Bite Laws?
Texas follows what’s called the “one-bite rule.” A dog owner can be held responsible if they knew their dog had shown aggression before — such as biting, snapping, or acting dangerously — and didn’t take proper steps to stop it from happening again. In other words, the law doesn’t give any dog “one free bite.”
Even if the dog had never bitten anyone, the owner may still be liable if they failed to follow leash laws or did not control their pet in public. When investigating your case, our legal team will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and determine if the owner was negligent.
How Much Is My Austin Dog Bite Case Worth?
Every dog bite case is different. The amount of compensation you might receive depends on factors like:
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether you needed surgery or long-term care
- How much work you have missed
- The emotional impact of the attack, such as anxiety or PTSD
- If the bite caused scarring, especially on the face or neck
- Whether a child was involved
We’ll take a close look at all the ways the attack has affected your life and build your case from there.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Recover After a Dog Bite Incident?
When someone else’s dog causes serious harm, the law allows you to seek financial recovery for both your economic and emotional losses. That can include:
Economic Damages
Economic damages deal with the financial losses associated with your case, including:
- Hospital bills, follow-up care, and medications
- Lost wages from time off work
- Physical therapy or mental health treatment
- Future medical needs
- Out-of-pocket expenses like travel to appointments
Typically, these losses are supported by documentation, such as bills and receipts.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the personal losses you have incurred, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
While these damages are often harder to quantify, they can be more valuable than your economic losses.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases, you might also be able to pursue punitive damages (also known as “exemplary damages” in Texas) — especially if the dog owner was reckless or knew their pet was dangerous and did nothing about it. A jury may award these damages to punish the defendant and deter similar actions in the future. Punitive damages are not intended to compensate for losses but rather to make an example of particularly egregious conduct.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Austin Dog Bite Lawyer?
Hiring a lawyer might sound expensive, especially when you’re already dealing with medical bills and missed work. However, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
This means they don’t charge anything up front. They only get paid if they recover compensation on your behalf.
There are no retainers, no hourly fees, and no hidden costs. If they don’t win your case, you don’t owe them a dime. This way, you can focus on getting better while we handle the legal side of things, and you don’t have to stress about how to afford a lawyer when you need one the most.
Can I Still Recover Compensation Even if I Was Partially at Fault for the Incident?
Texas uses a system called modified comparative negligence. If you were less than 51% at fault for the bite, you can still recover compensation. However, your total award may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.
Sometimes, insurance companies try to say the victim provoked the dog—even when that’s not true. We know how to push back against such claims and protect your rights.
What Are Common Injuries From Dog Bite Incidents?
Dog bites can lead to serious injuries, some of which may take a considerable amount of time to heal fully.
Common injuries include:
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Infections like tetanus or sepsis
- Nerve damage
- Torn muscles or tendons
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries or disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Scarring, especially in children
We’ll make sure your injuries are properly documented and that your medical needs — both now and in the future — are factored into your case.
What Are Common Causes of Dog Bites?
Most dog bites happen because an animal wasn’t properly trained, controlled, or supervised. Some common causes include:
- Owners failing to use a leash in public
- Dogs escaping from yards or homes
- Poor socialization or lack of training
- Aggressive behavior being ignored or excused
- Leaving children unsupervised near unfamiliar dogs
Understanding these common causes is crucial because it helps establish negligence on the part of the dog owner. When an owner fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent an attack, they can be held legally accountable for the resulting injuries and damages. Regardless of how it occurred, if the bite could have been prevented, the dog’s owner may be held responsible.
How Can a Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me?
Getting bitten by a dog can turn your world upside down. Between medical appointments, pain, and the stress of dealing with insurance, it’s a lot to take on alone. That’s where a dog bite lawyer can really help—by stepping in to handle the complex legal issues so you can focus on getting better.
Here’s how they can support you:
- Look into what happened and gather the details you might not have access to
- Find out who’s legally responsible for the dog and your injuries
- Deal with the insurance companies so you don’t have to
- Make sure your injuries and losses are fully accounted for
- Push for a fair outcome—whether that’s through a settlement or at trial
At the end of the day, they’re in your corner, making sure you’re treated fairly and helping you get back on your feet.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, you usually have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. That might sound like a long time, but evidence can disappear quickly, so it’s always better to get started sooner rather than later. We can help you understand the timeline and make sure you don’t miss your chance to file.
Contact Our Austin Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Dog bites are scary and painful, and the effects can stay with you for years. If someone else’s dog hurt you, we’re here to help. Our legal team has a proven track record of success, recovering over one hundred million dollars in damages for our clients.
Call Anderson Injury Lawyers today to set up your free consultation. Our Austin dog bite attorneys will explain your rights, answer your questions, and help you determine the next steps.