Fort Worth Dog Bite Lawyer

Were you recently bitten by a dog in Fort Worth, Texas? You may have the right to recover compensation for your medical treatment, pain and suffering, and loss of income. The experienced Fort Worth dog bite lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers are here to help you fight to get the full financial recovery you deserve, call us at (817) 294-1900.

Since 2007, our law firm has been a leader in personal injury litigation in Fort Worth and across Lone Star State. Founding attorney Mark Anderson is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. He has over 30 years of experience handling tough Fort Worth brain injuries, car accidents, wrongful death cases, personal injury, medical malpractice in Fort Worth, product liability, and workers’ compensation.

We have the reputation, experience, and resources that you’ll need to make the most of your dog bite injury case. Contact our law office Anderson Injury Lawyers in Fort Worth, TX, to get started with a free case evaluation today.

How Anderson Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Bitten By a Dog in Fort Worth, TX

How Anderson Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Bitten By a Dog in Fort Worth, TX

A dog bite or animal attack can inflict severe wounds and cause excruciating pain. You might face a tough road ahead, and the last thing you need is the stress of a lawsuit or insurance claim. After all, the dog’s owner won’t just admit that they’re responsible and step up to pay you the money you deserve.

Fortunately, you do not have to deal with the aftermath of your dog bite by yourself. Our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys are here to help.

When you turn to us for help, we’ll fight to hold the dog’s owner fully accountable for the attack and the devastating injuries and trauma you’ve suffered.

You take the time you need to get better while our personal injury attorneys in Fort Worth:

  • Explain your legal rights and options
  • Determine if the dog has a history of aggression or has bitten anyone in the past
  • Identify all potentially liable parties
  • Gather evidence to prove that the dog bite caused your injuries
  • Consult with medical professionals, vocational rehabilitation specialists, mental health experts, and other experts as we build and value your claim
  • Defend against claims that you provoked the animal or share responsibility for your injuries
  • Handle negotiations with the dog’s owner, business, insurance company, or other parties

If you don’t receive a meaningful settlement offer that reflects the full value of your case, our Texas trial attorneys will be more than ready to bring your case to a jury in Tarrant County.

At Anderson Injury Lawyers, our dog bite lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. There’s no upfront cost to get our help. Instead, we only get paid if we win your case. Contact us at our Fort Worth law office today to set up a time to discuss the details of your dog bite injury case for free.

Texas Dog Bite Statistics

Every year, about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs across the United States. Statistically speaking, about one out of five victims need emergency medical treatment because their dog bite injuries are so severe.

Sadly, many of these victims are children. Statistics reveal that children aren’t just more likely than adults to get bitten, but they’re also more likely to suffer severe injuries.

How common are dog bites in Texas? The Lone Star State ranks sixth in the nation when it comes to dog bite claims. According to State Farm, it settled 137 dog bite-related claims in 2021. The insurance company paid over $5.1 million in these disputes.

Since 2013, there have been 73 fatal dog bite attacks in Texas. There have already been six reported Texas dog bite fatalities in the first nine months of 2022. 

Understanding Liability in Fort Worth, Texas Dog Bite Cases

So what happens when you’re bitten by a dog in Fort Worth? How can you move toward a financial recovery? First, it’s important to understand liability – who’s on the hook for your damages and how to make them pay.

Does Texas Have a One Bite Rule?

Texas does have a one-bite rule. So, a dog’s owner may not be financially responsible for the consequences of a dog bite if the dog doesn’t have a history of aggression. The first bite is essentially “free.”  

Once a dog has a history of aggression or has attacked someone, the owner can be liable for all subsequent bites.

A successful dog bite injury claim will establish:

  • The dog’s owner knew or should have known that the dog was vicious
  • Having this knowledge, the dog’s owner failed to take reasonable precautions to keep you safe, and
  • You were bitten by the dog and suffered injuries as a result.

Ultimately, you’ll have to prove that the dog’s owner was negligent.

Can Anyone Other Than the Dog’s Owner Be Liable?

Yes. The dog’s owner isn’t the only one who could be responsible for the costs and consequences of your dog bite injury. 

If the attack happens on someone else’s property, you could potentially have a valid premises liability claim against a:

  • Property owner
  • Business
  • Landlord
  • School
  • Hotel, or
  • Government agency.

You can also file a claim against anyone whose negligence might have contributed to the dog bite – like a dog walker, doggie daycare center, or groomer. 

Our Fort Worth dog bite attorneys will work hard to ensure that all potentially liable parties are identified and held accountable.

What’s My Fort Worth Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?

When State Farm paid out dog bite claims across the United States in 2020, the average settlement was nearly $50,000. 

Of course, every case is different. Injuries in one dog bite case might be relatively minor, while trauma in another might be catastrophic or fatal. Every victim will have a unique set of circumstances, too. The value of a claim might be higher when a child is involved because they have their whole lives in front of them, compared to an adult.

Many factors will ultimately influence how much money you can get after getting bitten by a dog in Fort Worth:

  • The injuries you’ve suffered
  • How the trauma of being attacked by a dog affects you emotionally
  • Your earning capacity – both before and after you were bitten
  • Available insurance coverage 
  • Whether the dog bite injury has aggravated any pre-existing medical conditions
  • Your age

The more severe the trauma, and the more your life changes as a result, the more you can typically expect to recover in a claim. Our dog bite lawyers in Fort Worth will help you work to realize the full potential of your case. Call our law firm to discuss the details of your personal injury case today.

What Damages Can I Get If I File a Dog Bite Claim?

The consequences of a dog bite can touch every corner of your life. Fortunately, compensation can be awarded to offset your financial costs and the suffering you endure. These are known as economic damages and non-economic damages, respectively.

Our legal team will actively pursue compensation for your:

  • Present and future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Out-of-pocket costs, including travel for medical treatment
  • Lost wages
  • Lost benefits
  • Disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Disfigurement
  • Scarring
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Embarrassment, and more.

Our law firm has a network of trusted experts we can turn to for assistance as we work on your dog bite injury case. They can provide insight into your case and help us more fully appreciate how your injuries might affect your life – now and in the future. The more we understand your specific situation, the better prepared we’ll be to get a significant monetary award for you.

Is There a Time Limit to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Texas?

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations that will apply to most dog bite injury cases. So, the second anniversary of your dog attack will typically serve as the deadline for filing a claim.

There are times when the deadline can be extended – including cases involving child dog bite victims. Unless a parent or guardian files a claim on their behalf, a child will have until they’re 20 to file a claim.

You want to make sure that you’ve filed your claim before the statute of limitations expires. Once that happens, you’ll lose out on the right to recover the compensation you deserve.

We’ll Help You Seek Compensation For Your Catastrophic Dog Bite Injuries

Some common dog bite injuries in Texas include:

Make sure you get to a hospital or seek treatment from your physician immediately after being bitten by a dog. Your health and safety should be your first priority. Once your condition is stable, reach out to Anderson Injury Lawyers to get the legal assistance you deserve.

Schedule a Time for a Free Consultation With a Trusted Fort Worth Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog’s owner must be held fully accountable when their dog attacks someone. If you’ve been bitten by a dog in Fort Worth, Anderson Injury Lawyers will be there to help you fight to make things right.

Contact our Fort Worth dog bite lawyers to arrange a time for a free, no-obligation case evaluation today. Our team is always standing by to answer 24/7/365.

Our Fort Worth, TX, personal injury law firm also provides: