Fort Worth Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Experienced Fort Worth Injury Lawyers Help Those Harmed by Dog Bites

Humans domesticated dogs thousands of years ago. Since then, dogs have worked alongside farmers and hunters. They’ve helped herd animals and manage pests. They’ve also provided endless loyalty and friendship, earning the title “man’s best friend.” 

Yet man’s best friend also has thousands of years’ worth of protective instincts. Today, millions of people in the US experience a dog bite each year. Any dog may bite, and any dog bite can cause serious injury, illness, and ongoing medical problems.

If you’ve suffered a dog bite or dog attack, speak to an experienced Fort Worth lawyer right away. The team at Chandler Ross PLLC can help you understand your legal rights and pursue the compensation you need. 

Statistics for Dog Bites in Fort Worth, Texas, and the US

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) estimates that US households collectively own about 53 million pet and working dogs. This makes the US the number-one dog-owning nation per capita. 

Texans – like all Americans – love their dogs. Yet not all dogs live peacefully among humans at all times. About 4.7 million US residents suffer dog bites each year, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). In about 800,000 cases each year, an injured person needs medical treatment to address the damage caused by a dog bite. About half of all dog bite victims annually are children. Elderly Americans are also at higher risk for dog bites. 

Texas ranks second in the United States for the highest rate of dog bites and attacks on postal carriers, according to the US Postal Service. Only California had a higher number of dog bites on postal workers in 2023. That year, 411 postal workers were bitten or attacked by dogs in Texas. 

In 2023, Fort Worth was Texas’s fourth most dangerous city for postal workers suffering dog bites. A total of 23 postal workers were injured by dogs in Fort Worth that year. Only San Antonio (26 injuries), Dallas (39 injuries), and Houston (56 injuries) ranked higher.

Common Harms Dog Bites Cause

Dogs are omnivores. In the wild, dogs eat both plants and animal matter, getting valuable nutrition from each. Their ability to hunt and need for certain nutrients from animals gives dogs their sharp teeth and strong jaws.

These teeth and jaws, well-designed for killing prey, can also do serious damage to the human body. Common injuries and illnesses that may occur when a dog bites a person include:

• Damage to skin, muscles, and nerves,
• Serious or uncontrolled bleeding, including internal bleeding,
• Scarring or disfigurement,
• Infections by rabies, tetanus, MRSA, and other dangerous bacteria. 

Dogs can also cause injuries without biting a person. A large dog who knocks someone down, for example, can cause brain or spinal cord injuries, back and neck injuries, or broken bones. While a dog’s teeth can be dangerous, a dog doesn’t need to bite someone to cause harm. 

These conditions can be serious or even life-threatening. For that reason, get prompt medical treatment if you have been injured by a dog bite or dog attack. 

Demonstrating Fault in a Texas Dog Bite Case

Dog bite liability varies by state in the US. Most states rely on some combination of two rules: a “one bite” rule and a “negligence” standard. 

Texas is one of these states. The Texas Supreme Court has held that Texas uses a “one bite” rule when applying strict liability. In other words, a dog’s owner can be held liable for a dog bite if the owner knew the dog was aggressive or had bitten someone before. In these cases, the owner is at fault even if they tried to use reasonable care to restrain the dog. 

The “one bite” rule is sometimes called the ‘first bite” rule, because most owners know their dog might bite only when it’s already bitten someone in the past. However, someone has to be the dog’s first-ever bite. If you were bitten by a dog that has never shown aggression before, you may have to prove negligence in order to demonstrate the dog’s owner is at fault. 

To demonstrate negligence, an injured person will have to show that:

• The dog’s owner had a duty to use reasonable care to prevent the dog from harming others,
• The dog’s owner “breached” (failed to live up to) that duty,
• The owner’s failure was both the actual and foreseeable cause of the injury, and
• The injury caused losses that can be compensated. 

In dog bite negligence cases, a dog’s owner may try to show the injured person was partly or wholly to blame for their injuries. For instance, the owner may claim the injured person provoked the dog or was trespassing. 

Because every dog bite case is unique, the questions that must be answered – and the claims a dog’s owner may try to make – vary from case to case. Speak to an experienced dog bite lawyer in Fort Worth to discuss your legal rights and options in the context of your unique case. 

Insurance Policies and Dog Bites

A dog bite claim seeks to hold a dog’s owner liable for the harm the dog causes – yet the owner isn’t always paying out of pocket. Many dog owners have access to insurance coverage that includes coverage for dog bite and dog attack injury claims. For example, many homeowner’s, renter’s, and landlord’s insurance policies in Texas cover dog bite injury claims. Some businesses that welcome dogs have insurance that addresses these claims as well, like general commercial property liability coverage or “umbrella” coverage.

Insurance companies tend to track dog bite claims because these claims add up for insurers. In 2024, approximately 22,658 dog bite claims were filed in courts throughout the United States, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm. Insurance companies estimate they paid over $1.5 billion dollars on dog bite injury claims just in 2024. 

Insurance exists to address situations in which a person suffers a covered loss and needs help. Navigating insurance demands, however, can be challenging. It’s especially tough when you’re already recovering from serious injuries. An experienced dog bite lawyer in Fort Worth can help you negotiate with insurance and secure a full, fair settlement – or prepare to make a strong case at trial. 

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Fort Worth Dog Bite Case?

According to III and State Farm, most homeowner’s insurance policies include about $100,000 to $300,000 of insurance coverage for dog-caused injuries when the homeowner opts for this coverage. Your total compensation, however, will depend on the unique facts of your case, such as the injuries you have suffered and how those injuries affect your daily life. 

Common losses covered by compensation in a dog bite injury case include:

• Medical bills, including existing bills and the costs of any future medical care you may need,
• Lost wages if you missed work to recover from your injury,
• Diminished future earning capacity if your injuries limit the work you can do or prevent you from working entirely,
• Property damage costs if any of your personal property was damaged or destroyed by the dog,
• Physical pain and suffering connected to the attack, the bite, and its immediate aftermath,
• Mental and emotional anguish or distress, including post-traumatic stress symptoms, and
• Scarring and disfigurement resulting from the dog bite. 

Compensation for other losses may be available as well. Since every case is based on a unique set of facts, it’s important to speak to an attorney after a dog bite. An experienced lawyer in Fort Worth can help you understand your legal rights and decide what to do. 

What to Do After a Dog Bite or Attack

You can take steps to protect your health and your legal rights after a dog bite. Put these steps to use, and speak to a dedicated dog bite lawyer in Fort Worth for further assistance.

First, get medical attention. Call 911 or go to an emergency room for serious injuries, severe pain, loss of function in a limb, or uncontrolled bleeding. See a doctor as soon as possible if you cannot verify that the dog had an up to date rabies vaccination or if you haven’t had a tetanus vaccination in the past five years. 

Contact local authorities. Report the bite to the local animal control agency or police department. It’s especially important to report the incident if the dog was acting strangely or if you cannot confirm the dog’s rabies vaccination was current. 

Speak to a lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options after a dog bite. 

Speak to an Experienced Fort Worth Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today

Many people love their dogs and consider them family members. Yet a dog bite or attack can cause serious injuries and illness. Medical issues can persist for weeks, months, or even years after the incident occurs. 

If you were injured by a dog in Fort Worth, speak to the experienced dog bite injury lawyers at Chandler Ross PLLC today. We’ve helped clients handle many dog bite scenarios, including those involving complex facial reconstruction. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

FAQs About Fort Worth Dog Bite Injury Claims

Does filing a dog bite lawsuit in Fort Worth, Texas, mean the dog will be euthanized?

No, a civil lawsuit alone will not lead to a dog being euthanized. The City of Fort Worth evaluates each case independently. Only in very rare cases involving ongoing threats to public safety or confirmed rabies infection is euthanasia considered. This rarely happens, and the animal is often returned to the owner. If the animal has displayed dangerous behavior before, it may be quarantined before it’s returned to the owner. In the rare instances where euthanasia becomes a possibility, the decision is made by the dog owner and not a governmental authority.

Can I sue if the dog never bit anyone before?

Yes. You can still pursue a claim based on negligence—for example, if the owner failed to follow Fort Worth’s leash laws or warn you about the dog’s behavior. You may be able to receive compensation from the owner if they demonstrate negligence through including, but not limited to, inadequate dog control measures, non-compliance with pet restrictions, and failure to notify visitors about dangerous specific dog behaviors.

Who pays for damages in a dog bite case?

The dog owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy will compensate you for your injuries in most cases.