personal injury lawyers<\/a> who can counter those arguments from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDangerous Dog Designations Under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 822 creates a formal process for designating a dog as “dangerous,” and that designation has direct consequences for your civil claim. A dog can be labeled dangerous if it makes an unprovoked attack on a person causing bodily injury, or if it commits unprovoked acts in a place other than a secure enclosure that make a reasonable person believe the dog will attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under Section 822.0421, if someone reports an incident to the local animal control authority, that authority may investigate and issue a written dangerous dog determination to the owner. The owner then has 15 days to appeal that determination to a justice, county, or municipal court. If the dog is confirmed as dangerous, the owner must comply with strict requirements under Section 822.042, including registering the dog annually with the animal control authority, paying a $50 registration fee, maintaining a secure enclosure, keeping a current rabies vaccination, and carrying liability insurance or demonstrating financial responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If an owner of a registered dangerous dog allows the dog to make an unprovoked attack outside its enclosure and causes bodily injury, that owner commits a Class C misdemeanor under Section 822.044. Repeat violations escalate to a Class B misdemeanor under Section 822.045. These criminal violations are separate from your civil claim but support your argument that the owner had clear notice of the dog’s danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a dangerous dog causes serious bodily injury, the court may order the dog destroyed under Section 822.003. That hearing must be held within 10 days of the warrant being issued. The court will notify the dog’s owner and the person who filed the complaint, and any interested party, including the county or city attorney, may present evidence. If the court finds the dog caused a death, destruction is mandatory. If the finding involves serious bodily injury, destruction is at the court’s discretion, with certain exceptions for dogs protecting property from trespassers or assisting law enforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Common Dog Bite Injuries Seen in Justin and the Surrounding Denton County Area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dog attacks are not minor incidents. The physical damage can be severe, and the emotional toll often lasts far longer than the wounds themselves. Knowing what types of injuries qualify for compensation helps you understand the full value of your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Puncture wounds are the most common injury from a dog bite. They can appear small on the surface but cause deep tissue damage, severed tendons, and serious infections. Dog mouths carry bacteria including Pasteurella, Capnocytophaga, and Staphylococcus, any of which can cause dangerous infections if not treated promptly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lacerations and degloving injuries are more severe. A large dog can tear skin and muscle tissue in a single bite, requiring surgery, skin grafts, and months of rehabilitation. Facial injuries are especially common in attacks involving children. Injuries to the face and neck can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, requiring reconstructive procedures that are expensive and emotionally devastating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nerve damage is another serious consequence. A bite in the wrong location can sever or compress nerves, leaving victims with numbness, weakness, or loss of function in an arm, hand, or leg. In some cases, that damage is permanent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beyond the physical injuries, dog attacks cause real psychological harm. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and a lasting fear of dogs are well-documented consequences of serious attacks. These are compensable damages under Texas personal injury law, just like your medical bills and lost wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wrongful death is also a tragic outcome in the most severe attacks. If a dog killed a family member, Texas law gives surviving relatives the right to pursue a wrongful death claim, and the two-year statute of limitations under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 begins from the date of death, not the date of the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The steps you take right after a dog attack directly affect both your health and your legal claim. Acting quickly and carefully protects both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get medical attention first. Even a bite that looks minor can become infected within hours. Seek care at a local emergency room or urgent care clinic. The Texas Department of State Health Services requires any dog that bites a person to be quarantined for at least 10 days after the attack. Reporting the bite triggers that process and creates an official record of the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Report the attack to animal control or law enforcement. In Justin and the surrounding Denton County area, animal control can investigate the dog’s history, check for prior complaints, and initiate a dangerous dog determination if warranted. That official report becomes evidence in your civil claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Document everything you can at the scene. Take photographs of your injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog if it is safe to do so. Get the name and contact information of the dog’s owner. Gather contact details from any witnesses who saw the attack. If the attack happened near a business, a park like Denton’s Quakertown Park, or along a well-traveled road, there may be surveillance footage available. That footage disappears quickly, so time matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do not give a recorded statement to the dog owner’s insurance company without first speaking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to use your words to reduce or deny your claim. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before you speak to anyone from the insurance company. Our team can protect your rights from the very first conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Compensation You Can Recover in a Justin Dog Bite Claim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Texas law allows dog bite victims to seek compensation for every way the attack has affected their lives. The categories of damages available to you depend on the facts of your case, but they can be substantial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medical expenses are the most direct category. This includes emergency room visits, surgery, hospitalization, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any future medical care you will need. If your injuries require long-term treatment or reconstructive procedures, those future costs are part of your claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lost wages cover the income you missed while you were recovering. If your injuries affect your ability to work in the long term, you may also recover damages for reduced earning capacity. For example, if a bite to your dominant hand causes permanent nerve damage that prevents you from returning to your trade or profession, that loss of future income is compensable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress the attack caused. These are real damages under Texas law, and they are often the largest component of a dog bite settlement or verdict. Scarring and disfigurement carry their own separate category of damages, particularly for facial injuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cases where the dog owner’s conduct was especially reckless or grossly negligent, Texas law may allow punitive damages. These are designed to punish the owner and deter similar conduct. While not available in every case, they are worth discussing with your attorney if the facts support them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 gives you two years from the date of the attack to file your lawsuit. If the victim is a minor, the clock does not start until their 18th birthday. Missing that deadline almost certainly means losing your right to any compensation, regardless of how strong your case is. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to make sure your claim is filed on time and built to win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FAQs About Justin Dog Bite Attorney<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDoes Texas give dog owners a “free bite” before they can be held liable?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Not exactly. Texas follows the one-bite rule, but it does not mean a dog gets one free attack with no consequences. The rule means an owner can be held strictly liable if they knew or should have known their dog was dangerous before the attack. That knowledge can come from a prior bite, prior aggressive behavior, or a formal dangerous dog designation. Even without that prior knowledge, an owner can still be sued under a negligence theory if they failed to use reasonable care in controlling their dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What if the dog that bit me has no history of aggression?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can still have a valid claim. If the owner was negligent, such as by letting the dog roam off-leash in violation of a local ordinance, failing to secure a gate, or failing to warn you about the dog’s behavior, Texas law allows you to pursue a negligence claim even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. An attorney can help you identify the specific facts that support a negligence theory in your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Texas?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you have two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the victim is a minor, the clock generally does not start until they turn 18. If the attack caused a death, the two-year period starts from the date of death. Missing this deadline will almost certainly bar you from recovering any compensation, so contact an attorney as soon as possible after the attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can I sue someone other than the dog’s owner after a bite in Justin?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes, in some situations. If the attack happened in a common area of an apartment complex or rental property, and the landlord knew the tenant’s dog was dangerous but failed to act, the landlord may share liability. A property owner who allowed a dangerous dog on their premises may also face a premises liability claim. Dog sitters and professional dog walkers who had custody of the dog at the time of the attack can also be held responsible for their own negligence in controlling the animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What should I do if the dog owner’s insurance company contacts me after the attack?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters represent the dog owner’s interests, not yours. Their goal is to minimize the amount the company pays on your claim. Anything you say can be used to reduce your compensation. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 before you respond to any insurance communication. We can handle those conversations on your behalf and make sure your rights are fully protected from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Content on this page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Past results in any matter do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases, as each case depends on its own unique facts and applicable law. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is responsible for this content. Principal office located in Denton, Texas.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n