Were You a Victim of a Dog Attack? A Look at the Legalese of Liability Law

If a dog has ever attacked you, you know how frightening and painful an experience it can be. Unfortunately, not everyone is fortunate enough to escape such a situation unharmed. As the statistics show, in the United States alone, over 900,000 people are attacked by dogs every year; around 20 of those individuals will die from their injuries. 

If you have been attacked by a dog and are suffering from physical or psychological trauma due to the attack, you may be eligible to seek financial compensation through third-party liability claims and personal injury lawsuits. 

In this article, we will look in-depth at dog attack liability laws that may assist you if you’re attacked by a dog and want to file legal action against its owner.

Filing a Dog Attack Liability Claim

If you were attacked or bitten by a dog, you could hire a Houston dog attack attorney to help you file a dog attack liability claim to get financial compensation for your loss. Such a claim will allow you to seek compensation for your injuries and losses caused by the attack. 

A dog attack liability claim can be filed against the dog’s owner and any other parties who may be legally liable for the attack, such as the owner’s landlord, the owner’s employer, and the owner’s landlord.

Types of Damages for a Dog Attack

A dog attack can cause severe injuries and even death in extreme cases. Dog bites can also lead to long-term medical complications, such as scarring, amputation, and other long-term impairments. 

That said, dog attack victims may be entitled to compensation for the following damages: 

Medical Expenses

The most common damages incurred during a dog attack are medical expenses for treating your dog bite injuries and psychological trauma related to the attack. 

You can seek compensation for the medical expenses you incurred due to your injuries. This can include the price of surgery, hospitalization, doctor visits, prescriptions, and other treatments. 

Economic Losses

If you lost wages, missed work, or were unable to work due to your injuries, you can file a dog attack liability claim for those losses with the help of a Houston dog attack attorney.

Dog Owner Liability for a Dog Attack

Dog owners are responsible for controlling their pets and keeping them on a leash in public places. When dog owner fails to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of others, they can be held liable for any injuries resulting from their negligence. 

When Can You Hold the Dog’s Owner Liable?

The most important factor in determining whether the dog’s owner is liable for your attack injuries is whether the attack occurred on private or public property. 

If the attack occurred on private property, you might find holding the dog owner liable for your injuries challenging. However, if the attack occurred on public property, it may be easier for you to hold the dog owner accountable for your injuries.

Limitations on Holding the Dog’s Owner Liable

If the dog was provoked before it attacked you, its owner might not be held liable for your injuries. You must be able to show that you did not provoke the attack. Other limitations on holding the dog’s owner liable for your injuries may include the following:

• You were trespassing on the dog owner’s property.
• The attack occurred because the dog was protecting its pups.
• The dog was protecting its owner or another person.
• The attack was due to a health condition of the dog (e.g., the dog was blind or had some other disability that prevented it from knowing you were there).

In Summary

We all love our dogs, but keeping them as pets comes with risks. Even the sweetest and most well-mannered pooch may snap and bite another person if startled or provoked in the right way. That’s why dog owners are liable for any damages their pets cause to other people or their property and, thus, should be aware of dog liability laws wherever they live.