Bridgeport Dog Bite Attorney

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A dog bite can happen anywhere, at any time, and in Bridgeport, Texas, it happens more often than most people expect. Whether you were walking along FM 920, visiting a neighbor near Lake Bridgeport, or simply stepping out for a jog near Bridgeport City Park, a dog attack can leave you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and no clear idea of what to do next. Texas law gives bite victims real legal rights, and Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is here to help you use them.

Table of Contents

How Texas Dog Bite Law Works in Bridgeport Cases

Texas follows what is known as the “one-bite rule,” which was established by the Texas Supreme Court in the 1974 case Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255. Under this rule, a dog owner can be held strictly liable for injuries their dog causes if the owner knew, or should have known, that the dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies. Prior biting, growling, snapping, or lunging at people can all count as evidence of that knowledge.

Strict liability means you do not have to prove the owner was careless. You only have to show the owner was aware of the dog’s dangerous history. An owner who should have known their dog might hurt someone is strictly liable for injuries their dog inflicts, and strict liability means a victim can recover damages without having to prove their injuries were caused by the owner’s irresponsibility.

Even when the one-bite rule does not apply, you still have options. Liability in Texas dog bite cases can arise from strict liability or negligence, where the owner failed to use reasonable care in controlling the dog. So if a dog had no prior history but the owner left a gate open or let it run loose near a busy area like downtown Bridgeport, that carelessness can still be the basis of a valid claim.

Texas also recognizes negligence per se. Texas recognizes negligence per se, which applies when a dog owner violates a law or ordinance designed to protect the public, such as leash laws or dangerous-dog registration rules, and if an injury occurs because of that violation, it can be treated as automatic evidence of negligence. This matters a great deal in Wise County, where local animal control rules add another layer of owner responsibility.

The team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys understands both the state statutes and the local ordinances that apply to Bridgeport dog bite cases. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation to discuss your rights under Texas law.

What Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 Means for Your Claim

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 is the primary state law governing dangerous dogs and dog attacks. It sets out the rules for how dangerous dogs must be controlled, what happens after an attack, and when a dog owner faces criminal liability. Knowing this statute gives you a clearer picture of what an owner was legally required to do before your attack occurred.

Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.005, commonly called “Lillian’s Law,” Texas’ dog bite law, also known as Lillian’s Law, places potential criminal liability on a dog owner if their dog attacks another person, and was passed on September 1, 2007, amending Section 822 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, after a 76-year-old woman was killed by several large dogs while in her front yard.

The criminal penalties under this statute are serious. Dog owners commit an offense under Texas law if, with criminal negligence, they fail to secure the dog and it makes an unprovoked attack causing injury or death, and this offense is a third-degree felony punishable by two to ten years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, or a second-degree felony punishable by two to twenty years if the dog’s actions result in another person’s death.

Chapter 822 also governs what happens after an attack is reported. Under Section 822.003, a court must hold a hearing within 10 days of issuing a warrant to determine whether the dog caused serious bodily injury or death. The court can order the dog destroyed if it finds the dog caused a fatality, or may order destruction in cases of serious bodily injury depending on the circumstances.

Section 822.043 requires owners of dangerous dogs to register their animals annually with the local animal control authority. That registration requires proof of liability insurance, a current rabies vaccination, and a secure enclosure where the dog will be kept. If an owner skipped this step before your attack, that failure is powerful evidence in your civil claim.

Under Section 822.045, an owner who fails to comply with dangerous dog requirements commits at least a Class C misdemeanor, and a Class B misdemeanor for repeat violations. These violations directly support a negligence per se theory in your civil case. The personal injury lawyers at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys know how to use these code provisions to build a strong case on your behalf.

The Real Cost of a Dog Bite Attack and What Compensation You Can Seek

Dog bites are not minor incidents. The physical, financial, and emotional toll can last for months or even years after the attack. Understanding the full scope of your losses is the first step toward recovering what you deserve.

The financial numbers tell a clear story about how serious these injuries are. In 2024, homeowners’ insurance companies paid out a total of $1.56 billion for dog-related injury claims, and from 2015 to 2024, the average cost per dog-related claim increased by 174.7%. The average cost per claim in 2024 reached $69,272, reflecting rising medical costs and larger settlements.

A hospital stay for a dog bite averages around $18,200, and that figure does not include follow-up care, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, or mental health treatment. Around 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bite injuries in 2018 alone. Facial scarring, nerve damage, and permanent disfigurement are real outcomes that demand real compensation.

In a Texas dog bite claim, you can seek damages for medical expenses, both past and future. You can also recover lost wages if the injuries kept you from work, and loss of earning capacity if the injuries affect your ability to work long-term. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement are all recognized categories of compensation under Texas law.

Children are especially vulnerable. Dog bites make up a significant portion of pediatric emergency visits, and injuries to a child’s face or hands can require multiple surgeries over many years. If your child was attacked near a Bridgeport school or neighborhood park, the damages can be substantial.

Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. In dog bite and other personal injury lawsuits, the defendant can reduce or eliminate their liability by showing that the victim’s irresponsibility played a role in the incident, and a victim’s damages are reduced in proportion to their share of responsibility, with victims who are more than 50% responsible not entitled to any compensation. This is why having an attorney in your corner matters so much from day one.

What to Do Immediately After a Dog Bite in Bridgeport, Texas

The steps you take in the hours and days after a dog attack directly affect the strength of your legal claim. Acting quickly protects both your health and your right to compensation.

Seek medical care first. Dog bite wounds carry a serious risk of infection, and puncture wounds in particular can introduce bacteria deep into tissue. Get to a doctor or emergency room as soon as possible, whether that means heading to Wise Health System in Decatur or an urgent care facility closer to Bridgeport. Document every diagnosis, treatment, and prescription.

Report the attack to Bridgeport Animal Control or the Wise County Sheriff’s Office. An official report creates a formal record of the incident, identifies the dog and its owner, and starts the process that may lead to the dog being classified as dangerous under Chapter 822. This report can become a key piece of evidence in your civil case.

Gather evidence at the scene if you are physically able to do so. Take photos of your injuries, the location of the attack, any fencing or enclosures that were broken or open, and the dog itself if it is safe to photograph. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. If the attack happened near a business or intersection with security cameras, note that location.

Write down everything you remember about the attack while it is fresh, including the time, what the dog was doing before it attacked, whether the owner was present, and anything the owner said afterward. Admissions made at the scene, such as “I know he’s been aggressive before,” can be critical evidence of the owner’s prior knowledge.

Finally, contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys before speaking to the dog owner’s insurance company. Insurers will look for ways to reduce your claim, and any statement you make without legal guidance can be used against you. Call us at (940) 800-2500 right away.

Defenses Dog Owners Use and How We Counter Them

Dog owners and their insurers do not simply write a check after an attack. They raise defenses designed to reduce or eliminate their liability. Knowing what arguments to expect helps you understand why strong legal representation matters.

The most common defense is provocation. An owner may claim you startled, teased, or provoked the dog into attacking. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.006, it is a defense to prosecution that the dog was defending a person from assault or property from damage or theft by the injured person. In a civil context, the owner will argue your behavior contributed to the attack, triggering the comparative negligence rules under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001.

Owners also argue trespassing. If the attack occurred on private property, the owner may claim you were there without permission. Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.003 provides that a court cannot order a dog destroyed if the injured person was at least eight years of age and was trespassing in the enclosure where the dog was kept. This same logic often appears in civil defense arguments.

Another defense involves the dog’s history. An owner may deny having any knowledge that the dog was dangerous, arguing the one-bite rule does not apply. An owner sued under Texas’ one-bite rule can defend themselves by disputing evidence presented by the victim that the dog had previously behaved in a threatening or dangerous way, and showing they had no reason to think their dog might hurt someone. We counter this by investigating the dog’s history, speaking with neighbors, checking prior complaints with animal control, and reviewing any prior incidents.

Leash law compliance is another angle. Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.006(i), it is a defense if the dog was on a leash and the owner was in immediate control of it at the time of the attack. We look at the specific facts carefully because “immediate control” is not always as clear as an owner claims.

Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys investigates every angle of your case. We gather animal control records, interview witnesses, and work to establish the owner’s knowledge and responsibility. Past results in any case do not guarantee the same outcome in yours, but we work hard to give every client the strongest possible claim. Call (940) 800-2500 to talk through your situation today.

FAQs About Bridgeport Dog Bite Claims

How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Texas?

Texas gives dog bite victims two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit, under the general statute of limitations in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to recover any compensation, no matter how serious your injuries are. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys as soon as possible so we can protect your deadline and begin building your case right away.

Can I still recover damages if the dog had never bitten anyone before?

Yes. Texas law gives you two paths to compensation. The one-bite rule applies when the owner knew the dog was dangerous, but a separate negligence claim does not require prior biting. If the owner failed to leash the dog, left an enclosure unsecured, or otherwise acted carelessly, you can pursue a negligence claim even if the dog had no prior history of aggression. An attorney can evaluate the specific facts of your case to determine which legal theory applies.

What if the dog that bit me is owned by a landlord’s tenant?

A landlord can be held liable for a dog bite if the landlord knew, or should have known, that a tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to take action. Texas courts have recognized that landlords who control common areas of a property have a duty to keep those areas reasonably safe, and that duty can extend to known aggressive dogs. If your attack happened in a common area of an apartment complex or rental property in Bridgeport, both the tenant and the landlord may share liability.

Does homeowner’s or renter’s insurance cover dog bite claims?

Many homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies include liability coverage for dog bite incidents. In 2024, insurers across the United States paid out $1.56 billion in dog-related injury claims. However, some policies exclude certain breeds or cap the amount of coverage available. The dog owner’s insurer will work to minimize what they pay you. Having an attorney negotiate on your behalf ensures you are not accepting a settlement that falls short of covering your full losses, including future medical care and lost income.

What if the dog bite happened while I was working, such as making a delivery?

Delivery workers, postal employees, and others who are bitten on the job in Bridgeport may have both a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury claim against the dog owner. These two claims are separate and can both be pursued at the same time. Texas law does not limit a bite victim’s right to sue a negligent dog owner simply because the attack happened during work hours. The specific facts of your employment status and the circumstances of the attack will determine the best strategy for your situation.

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