Lewisville Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

Speak to an Experienced Denton County Lawyer After a Dog Bite Injury

For over 12,000 years, dogs have lived alongside humans. Throughout the ages, they’ve assisted with farming, herding, pest control, and more. They’ve also become valued members of our families, earning their title “man’s best friend.” 

For all their time among humans, however, dogs retain their dog instincts. These include instincts to bite or attack, especially in unfamiliar situations that they interpret as threatening. 

If you’ve been injured by a dog in Lewisville, don’t wait: Speak to a dedicated Lewisville dog bite injury lawyer right away. The team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can help. 

Dog Bite Injury Statistics

About 53 million dogs reside in households throughout the United States, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Texans and other US residents love their dogs: the US has more pet dogs per capita than any other nation.

Unfortunately, not all these dogs live peacefully alongside humans. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates that 4.7 million US residents experience a dog bite each year. Around 800,000 of these injured people need medical attention for their injuries. About half of all people harmed by dog bites are children. 

In 2023, the US Postal Service ranked Texas 2nd in the nation for dog bite injuries to postal carriers. California ranked first. In total, 411 postal carriers suffered dog bite injuries in Texas in 2023, up from 404 in 2022. The most dangerous Texas cities for postal carriers suffering dog bite injuries included:

• Houston: 56 injuries
• Dallas: 39 injuries
• San Antonio: 26 injuries
• Fort Worth: 23 injuries

DSHS does not keep statistics for dog bites in every Texas county. A 2020 study in Veterinary World, however, estimates that in Harris County, Texas, 6,683 dog bites were reported to the county’s Veterinary Public Health unit between 2013 and 2016.

Common Injuries and Illnesses Connected to Dog Bites

Dog bites can cause serious damage. A dog’s teeth are designed to tear flesh. This trait is useful in dogs who must hunt to survive, but it can do serious damage when a dog bites a person. 

Common injuries in dog bite and dog attack cases include damage to the skin, muscles, and nerves at the site of the bite. Scarring is common and can be severe. In an attack, a dog might knock a person to the ground, causing head, neck, or back injuries, broken bones, and other damage.

A dog’s bite can also spread several kinds of bacteria. Nearly 20 percent of dog bites end up infected. Illnesses that can be transmitted via a dog’s bite include:

• Rabies. Rabies is rare, but it still exists in the US. The rabies virus attacks the brain; once symptoms appear, it is often fatal. Vaccinated dogs do not spread rabies. If you suffer a dog bite, talk to a healthcare provider to see if you need treatment for rabies risk.
• Capnocytophaga is a family of bacteria that commonly lives in the mouths of dogs and cats. Not everyone exposed to the bacteria becomes ill, but those with weakened immune systems face a higher risk.
• Pasteurella is a bacterium that appears in over half of infected dog bite wounds. A painful infection at the site of the bite is a common symptom. Those with compromised immune systems can suffer other symptoms as well, including swollen glands and joints.
• MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a drug-resistant type of staph infection. Dogs may show no signs of MRSA, but in humans, the bacteria can cause stubborn or even life-threatening infections. 
• Tetanus is a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium tetani. Tetanus infections can cause serious, fatal damage. Deep bite wounds are more likely to transmit tetanus.

Getting medical attention following a dog attack is essential. See a doctor or go to a local emergency room immediately for treatment. 

Proving the Dog’s Owner is at Fault

Some states have a specific statute that covers dog bites. Texas is not one of them. Instead, Texas relies on the 1974 ruling of the Texas Supreme Court in Marshall v. Ranne. There, the Texas Supreme Court held that Texas’s dog bite rule is similar to the one stated in Section 509 of the Restatement of Torts. In other words, Texas uses a “negligence” or “one bite” standard for most dog bite injury cases. 

Under this standard, a dog’s owner is at fault for the bite if:

• The owner negligently failed to use reasonable care to control the dog or prevent the bite, causing the injured person to be bitten or attacked, or
• The dog’s owner knew the dog had a history of past aggression or of biting people. 

Some states use a “strict liability” rule, which holds a dog’s owner liable whether or not the owner was negligent and whether or not the owner knew the dog was dangerous. In Texas, strict liability applies only if the owner knows the dog has a history of aggressive behavior. If the owner has no reason to think the dog will act out, the state’s negligence rule applies. 

A dog’s owner may argue that the injured person was partly or wholly at fault for their own injuries. For instance, the owner may argue that the injured person provoked the dog or was trespassing. These arguments, if proven, may reduce or eliminate your ability to recover compensation. Talk to an experienced dog bite lawyer in Lewisville to learn more. 

Does Insurance Cover Dog Bites?

Some insurance policies cover the damages caused by dog bites or dog attacks. A dog’s owner or the premises on which you are injured may have any of the following types of insurance, which often cover dog bites:

• Homeowner’s insurance
• Renter’s insurance
• Landlord’s insurance
• Commercial general liability insurance
• Umbrella insurance policy

If the dog’s owner has insurance, the policy may pay to cover damages resulting from the dog bite or attack. The owner may not pay out of pocket to cover these costs. Insurance can help ensure that an injured person gets the compensation they need, regardless of the dog owner’s personal financial situation. 

Navigating insurance claims can be challenging. For assistance, speak to a Lewisville dog bite injury lawyer. 

Compensation in a Lewisville Dog Bite Injury Case

In 2024, 22,658 dog bite lawsuits were filed nationwide, costing insurers over $1.5 billion, according to the Insurance Information Institute and State Farm. 

Most homeowners’ insurance policies offer limits between $100,000 and $300,000 for expenses related to dog bite injuries. These limits cover losses like:

• Past and future medical expenses related to the bite,
• Lost income and compensation for diminished future earning capacity,
• Costs to repair or replace any property damaged in the attack,
• Physical pain and suffering,
• Emotional and mental anguish or distress,
• Scarring and disfigurement. 

If the dog’s owner has no insurance, an injured person may still bring a lawsuit and prove the extent of their damages. 

The value of your specific case depends on your unique injuries and losses. To discuss a possible estimate for your specific situation, speak to an experienced Lewisville dog bite injury attorney today. 

What to Do If You’re Bitten or Attacked by a Dog

A dog attack can be frightening. Many such attacks seem to emerge from nowhere. To protect yourself during and after a dog attack:

• Use an item, such as a purse, jacket, or bag, as a barrier between yourself and the dog.
• If you’re knocked to the ground, curl into a ball. Use your hands to protect your ears and neck. 
• As soon as you’re in a safe place, immediately wash bites and any other open wounds with soap and water. Minor wounds can be treated with antibiotic ointment and bandages. 
• For deep wounds, apply pressure with a clean, dry cloth. See a healthcare provider as soon as possible. 

Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room if:

• You experience extreme pain or loss of function in any body part,
• The bleeding doesn’t stop after a few minutes, 
• You see exposed bone or muscle, or the wound is so large it won’t likely close on its own,
• Damage occurred to your face or neck,
• You develop a fever or the wound becomes red, warm, painful, or swollen,
• You don’t know if the dog has a current rabies vaccination, or
• You suffered a deep bite and haven’t had a tetanus shot in at least five years. 

Report the bite to your local animal control agency or police department. It’s especially important to report if the dog appeared sick, was acting strangely, or if you couldn’t confirm that the dog had a current rabies vaccination. 

Speak to an Experienced Lewisville Dog Bite Injury Lawyer Today

A dog bite injury can cause significant distress, pain, and ongoing medical issues. If you or someone you love suffers injuries, reach out to the team at Chandler Ross PLLC today. Our Lewisville dog bite injury lawyers have experience successfully handling complex dog bite cases, including cases involving facial reconstruction and other major surgeries. To learn more, schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys today.

Questions About Dog Bite Cases in Lewisville, Texas

Will a lawsuit automatically result in the dog being euthanized?

No. In fact, it rarely happens. Filing a lawsuit does not mean that the dog will be euthanized. An injury claim in made against the dog owner. Separately, the Lewisville Animal Services may conduct an independent assessment. It is only in very rare and severe cases, such as the animal being a direct danger to public safety or showing signs of rabies infection, where it may be euthanized. If the animal has displayed dangerous behavior before, it may be quarantined before it’s returned to the owner. Generally, if an animal is euthanized, it is the decision of the owner and not some governmental entity.

Can I still sue if the dog never bit anyone before?

Yes, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. Even if the dog has no history of aggression, you can file a claim. Our lawyers can help you file a claim if the owner acted negligently in some way, including but not limited to such as violating leash laws or failing to control the animal. If you were injured, although the owner may indicate no type of dangerous behavior has ever been present, you deserve to receive the proper treatment and compensation for your injuries. In fact, approximately 50% of the dog bite cases handled by Chandler | Ross Injury Attorneys are first-time bites, and the animal is returned back to the owner unharmed. The law acknowledges that animals, like humans, can sometimes get spooked and/or momentarily act out of character and this almost never results in the animal being euthanized. 

Who pays for my damages after a dog bite injury?

In most cases, the owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance covers your damages. By filing a claim for a dog bite, you are rarely “suing” or going after any individual personally, but rather making a standard claim on the homeowners or renters’ insurance policy, which protects them in situations like this.