If you have been injured in a dog bite attack, the El Paso dog bite attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC can help you seek justice and compensation. For more than 30 years, our lawyers have fought for the rights of those injured in unprovoked pet attacks and other personal injury incidents. We are ready to put our experience to work for you.
You should never have to pay for medical expenses and other unexpected costs if someone elseās dog bites you. Nor should you have to suffer silently with the emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress that often comes after a vicious attack. Let us help you recover the money you need to get the treatment you deserve. Call us or reach out to our dog bite lawyers in El Paso online for a free consultation today.
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?
If a family member, friend, neighbor, or strangerās dog bit you, take the following steps right away to protect yourself:
- Seek prompt medical attention and follow your doctorās care plan
- Attend all follow-up doctorās appointments as scheduled
- Report the dog attack incident to the owner and your local authorities
- Write down the ownerās contact and insurance information for reference
- Take pictures of visible injuries and damage caused by the attack
- Keep all medical bills and other documentation of losses
- Avoid discussing your case with the dog owner, their insurer, or their attorney
- Avoid sharing information about the attack online while your case is pending
- Contact a knowledgeable dog bite injury lawyer for legal help
Does Texas Have a Specific Dog Bite Law?
Unlike most states, Texas does not have a statute regarding liability for a dog bite or attack. However, the Texas Supreme Courtās ruling in Marshall v. Ranne in 1974 established the āone-biteā rule for dog bite injury cases in Texas.
Under the one-bite rule, a dog owner is usually not liable for injuries their dog inflicts if the dog has never bitten anyone or acted aggressively in the past. However, if a dog has previously bitten someone or acted aggressively, its owner could be liable for any injuries the dog inflicts in a subsequent attack.
In other words, if a dog has previously bitten or attacked someone, its owner can be held civilly liable for failing to prevent future bites. Additionally, Texas dog owners can face criminal charges if they fail to properly restrain dogs that are known to be dangerous and those dogs injure or kill someone unprovoked.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite in El Paso?
Dog owners are not the only parties who could be liable for dog bite injuries in Texas. Any party responsible for harboring, handling, or controlling a dog may be liable if the dog causes bodily injury or death, whether via a bite or other harmful behavior. This means any of the following parties may be liable for a dog bite in El Paso:
- Dog owners
- Property owners
- Landlords
- Dog groomers
- Vets and vet techs
- Veterinary clinics
- Animal shelters
- Dog kennels
- Boarding facilities
- Pet stores