Were you or your child injured because of a dog bite or dog attack in Fort Worth, TX? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries from the dog owner and/or a third party.
At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our lawyers have over 35 years of experience handling personal injury cases. Our founding lawyer, Brad Parker, is Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. His expertise gives our legal team a level of experience and skills that benefit our clients.
We represent clients for a contingency fee. Our legal fees are based on a percentage of what we recover for a settlement or jury verdict. Therefore, you do not pay attorney’s fees until we recover money for your dog bite injury claim.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation at (817) 839-3143 with a Fort Worth dog bite attorney to discuss your case.
How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Can Help You With a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Fort Worth
Dog bites can cause horrific disfigurement and scarring. Victims can also sustain permanent impairments. In the worst cases, a dog attack can cause a wrongful death.
At Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we stand up for your rights. Our lawyers are fierce advocates for injured victims. We do not stop pursuing your case until we exhaust all possible sources of compensation for your claim.
We have an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating they award attorneys. We have also been recognized by Super Lawyers.
When you hire our top-rated Fort Worth personal injury lawyers, you can trust that we will handle all aspects of your case, including:
- Obtain copies of reports and complaints from government agencies about the dog, if available
- Initiate an independent investigation into why you were injured
- Gather evidence proving the dog owner and/or other parties are responsible for your injuries
- Document your damages to calculate how much your dog bite case is worth
- File insurance claims and handle all matters to settle those claims
- Aggressively pursue top-dollar settlements and jury awards
While we focus on recovering money for a dog bite injury, you can focus on healing. Contact our law firm to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced dog bite lawyer in Fort Worth, Texas.
How Common Are Dog Bites and Dog Attacks?
It is estimated that more than 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year. Texas has the highest number of fatal dog attacks in the country.
Unfortunately, dogs often unexpectedly bite and attack people. Even friendly dogs can bite someone without warning. Dogs that have never shown any aggression or tendency to be vicious could become violent.
Dogs bite people for different reasons. In many cases, the dog is reacting to a stimulus or a situation. For example, a dog might bite someone because they are being protective of puppies or a person. Dog bites happen because someone disturbs a dog when they are sleeping or eating.
A dog does not need to be vicious to bite someone. However, dogs can be trained to be aggressive and attack people without cause. Regardless of why a dog attacks or bites you, seeking legal counsel from an experienced Fort Worth dog bite attorney as soon as possible is essential.
Texas Law Governing Dog Bite Claims in Fort Worth
Some states, including Texas, have a “one bite rule” that “forgives” a dog for the first bite. You would need to prove that the dog owner was negligent or knew the dog had an inclination to harm people.
Texas does not technically have a statute establishing this law. Instead, the state’s supreme court ruled on the issue and effectively created the same type of standard.
Dog Bites and Negligence Claims in Fort Worth, TX
If a dog owner is negligent in caring for the dog and the dog bites someone, the victim can sue the dog owner under general negligence laws. This is true even despite the state’s “one bite” doctrine. Dog owners have a duty of care to take reasonable measures to prevent their dogs from attacking and biting people.
Examples of a dog owner’s negligence that could lead to a dog bite injury claim include, but are not limited to:
- Intentionally training a dog to attack people or be aggressive
- Failure to follow leash laws
- Not keeping a dog in a secure area, such as a home or a fenced area
- Failure to post warning signs for a vicious or dangerous dog
- Allowing a dog to roam freely through a neighborhood or other area
The City of Fort Worth has animal control laws that dog owners must follow. Tarrant County also has rules regarding dogs, including specific actions owners must take if their dog is declared a “dangerous animal” by a judge. Failing to comply with these laws could be considered negligence.
Furthermore, failing to follow leash laws and other laws governing animals could be considered negligence per se. Negligence per se creates a presumption that the dog owner was negligent. It shifts some of the burden of proof to the dog owner to prove they were not negligent in causing the dog bite.
Dog Bites and Strict Liability Claims in Fort Worth, TX
Some dog bite cases are based on strict liability. In a strict liability case, you do not need to prove the dog owner was negligent to recover compensation for your injuries.
Instead, you only need to prove the dog owner knew the dog was a “dangerous dog.” An owner can also be held strictly liable if they should have known the dog was dangerous. For example, dogs with a history of being vicious, aggressive, biting, or attempting to attack people could be considered dangerous dogs.
Who Can Be Liable for a Dog Bite Claim in Fort Worth, TX?
The dog owner is liable for the damages caused by their dog. However, landlords or property owners could also share liability if they knew a dangerous dog was on the property and did not take reasonable steps to protect or warn people of danger. Our Fort Worth dog bite attorneys explore all parties who could share liability.
Common Injuries Caused When a Dog Attacks or Bites Someone
A dog bite can cause severe injuries. Common injuries caused by dog bites and dog attacks include:
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Rabies and other infections
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic head injury
- Facial injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological and emotional disorders
- Tetanus
- Avulsion
- PTSD
A victim could sustain secondary infections that could become life-threatening. Prompt medical treatment for dog bites can reduce the risk of long-term impairments and infections.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Fort Worth Dog Bite Injury Claim?
A dog bite personal injury claim can include compensation for your economic damages, such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Past and future lost wages
- Decrease in earning capacity
- Reconstructive and plastic surgery
Victims of dog attacks and dog bites can also receive compensation for the pain and suffering they experience. These damages are called non-economic damages. Examples include:
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical pain
- Impairments and disabilities
- Diminished quality of life
The value of damages depends on many factors. The severity of your injuries directly impacts the value of damages. However, other factors could affect your compensation for a dog bite injury claim.
If you were partly at fault for causing your injury, your damages could be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you provoked the dog and it bit you. Texas contributory fault laws bar you from receiving any money for damages if your level of responsibility for your injury is more than 50 percent.
Our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers understand the defenses raised in dog bite cases. We are prepared to defend you against the unfounded allegations to protect your right to compensation for all damages.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Texas Dog Bite Cases?
The Texas statute of limitations sets deadlines for filing personal injury cases. Generally, personal injury cases have a two-year deadline, including most dog bite claims. The court may dismiss your claim if you do not file a lawsuit before the two-year deadline.
Exceptions to the statute of limitations can change the deadline for filing claims. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to consult with our attorneys as soon as possible after an injury. Waiting too long to talk with a lawyer could result in waiving your legal rights to file a claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Fort Worth Dog Bite Lawyers
You should not be responsible for the damages you sustained because of a dog bite. We can help you hold the dog owner responsible for your injuries. Contact us to schedule a free case review at (817) 839-3143 with a Fort Worth dog bite attorney.
What Our Fort Worth Clients Are Saying About Us
Read more of our Google Reviews.
Highly Rated Hospitals
- Medical City Fort Worth – 900 8th Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104
- Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth – 1301 Pennsylvania Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104
- John Peter Smith Hospital – 1500 S Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76104
- USMD | Medical Clinic of North Texas – 800 5th Ave Suite 300, Fort Worth, TX 76104
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Our personal injury law firm in Fort Worth, TX also provides:
- Bicycle Attorneys in Fort Worth, TX
- Brain Attorney in Fort Worth, TX
- Boating Accident Attorneys in Fort Worth
- Bus Accident Lawyers in Fort Worth, FL
- Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer
- Fort Worth Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
- Construction Accident Lawyer in Fort Worth, FL
- Fort Worth Dog Bite Lawyers
- Motorcycle Lawyer in Fort Worth, TX
- Fort Worth Pedestrian Attorneys
- Premises Liability Lawyers in Fort Worth, TX
- Lyft Accident Attorneys in Fort Worth, FL
- Product Liability Attorney in Fort Worth, FL
- Slip and Fall Attorneys in Fort Worth, TX
- Fort Worth Truck Accident Lawyer
- Workplace Injury Attorney in Fort Worth, TX
- Uber Accident Attorneys in Fort Worth
- Wrongful Death Lawyer in Fort Worth, TX
Additional Fort Worth Dog Bites Resources
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Fort Worth, TX
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Fort Worth, TX
209 N Hampton St
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 510-9400
Hours of Operation
Monday – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed
