CALL (512) 246 2224 TO SPEAK WITH A MIDLAND DOG BITE LAWYER FOR FREE
Most of the time, dogs are kind, gentle, and loving. However, some dogs can be dangerous and vicious, depending on the circumstances. Being attacked by a dog is frightening, unexpected, and can be very serious. Dog bites can cause an array of injuries that can be very painful for a recovering victim.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. If a dog has bitten you, you may be able to seek compensation. The legal process following an injury can be intimidating, but thankfully, you don’t have to go through it alone. Zinda Law Group can help.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a dog bite, call Zinda Law Group at (512) 246-2224 for a 100% free case evaluation with our dog bite attorneys today.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationTypes of Dog Bite Lawsuits
Just like dog breeds themselves, dog bite lawsuits come in many shapes and colors. The following are some common types of dog bite cases that may lead to a future lawsuit:
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationNon-aggressive dog accidents
Dog bites can occur from non-aggressive dogs that unintentionally attack humans. Sometimes dogs can become excited and may jump on or bite a person even though it is not their intention to hurt you. Other times, the injured party may provoke a non-aggressive dog.
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
Standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ready to answer in your time of need.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDangerous dog breeds
Some dogs, depending on their upbringing or their bread, can be more inherently dangerous than others. These breeds often have a higher tendency to attack humans. In this case, an owner may be liable for not taking the proper precautions to safeguard other people from their dog who they know or should know is potentially more dangerous.
Cole Gumm
Attorney
We are here to ensure you won’t have to face this difficult time alone.
Available 24 / 7|Free ConsultationDog attacks on young children
Dog bites on children can be particularly dangerous because children are so vulnerable. Children who have been attacked and bitten by a dog not only experience physical injuries, but they often experience emotional trauma resulting from the incident.
Common Causes
Here are three common reasons why dogs bite:
Provocation
Most often, a dog decides to bite a human because they were provoked. Animals have an inherent instinct to protect themselves. If they misinterpret your actions as dangerous, they may be provoked to bite.
Abuse and Neglect
While it is true that some dogs may be inherently more dangerous than others, it is also true that nurture can play a larger role than nature. If a dog owner mistreats their dog with physical abuse, their dog may be more likely to view the world as a cruel place. Thus, this dog is more likely to harm those who come into contact with it.
The Dog is Sick
Dogs don’t have the same luxury we do of expressing our feelings and what hurts us. If a dog is sick, they may try to tell you by lashing out aggressively. The dog may simply want to be left alone and will bite you to keep you away.
Common Injuries
Dog bite injuries can range from mild to severe. The following is a list of the types of injuries that may occur:
- Facial injuries
- Bruises
- Puncture wounds
- Eye injuries such as corneal scratches
- Nerve Damage
- Rabies
- Emotional Trauma
What to do after been bitten by a dog
1. Seek Medical Attention
If a dog has bitten you, the first step you should take is to seek medical attention and treatment for your injuries.
2. Document the Scene and your injuries
If possible, try to photograph the scene where the dog bite took place and try to take photos of your injuries. This documentation may serve as important evidence later on.
3. Contact a Dog Bite Attorney
Contacting an experienced attorney is the best way to make sure your interests are protected. Our team of experienced attorneys at Zinda Law Group will offer you a 100% free initial case consultation to see if we can help.
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Dog Owner Responsibility
As a dog owner, you have a few responsibilities to make sure others are safe around your dog. If you have reason to know or should know that your dog is dangerous, you have a heightened responsibility to protect other people from your dog. For example, if you know your dog gets aggressive when they see the mailman, you shouldn’t let them outside off leash when you know the mailman is coming.
Every state has different laws about how to control your dog in public to reduce the risk that they hurt someone, so make sure to check with your state. However, a lot of states have leash laws. These laws mandate that you keep your dog on a leash in public spaces. If you fail to do this and your dog bites someone, you may be liable for negligence.
Who can I sue?
If you are bitten by a dog, you can potentially sue the owner of the dog that bit you or the person who was in charge of the dog at the time depending on how the incident occurred. Essentially, whoever is responsible is the person that can be sued.
If you provoked a dog, were trespassing on someone else’s land, or did something else to cause the incident, you may not be able to sue for your injuries.
CASE RESULTS
Filing a Dog Bite Claim
Here a few steps you can take to file a claim:
1. Receive medical attention
Medical professionals can prepare an official record of injuries and their costs, which can be used as evidence in fighting your claim.
2. Call an attorney
Before speaking with the liable party or their insurance, speak to a personal injury attorney who specializes in dog bite claims. Having an experienced attorney looking out for your best interests can make a huge difference when seeking compensation for your claim.
3. Establish fault through an investigation
In order to seek compensation, you must establish that your injuries were the result of the dog owner’s negligence or that strict liability applies. The attorney, investigators, and expert witnesses at Zinda Law Group do everything in their power to thoroughly investigate what happened and why. All you need to do is to worry about yourself and your physical and emotional recovery.
Dog Bite Compensation
If a dog has bitten you, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are easily calculated because they compensate you for bills and other expenses that are easily quantifiable. Economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Other incidentals
Non-economic damages are typically calculated by multiplying your medical bills by a number anywhere between 1 and 5. The multiplier used depends on the severity of your dog bite. Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Statute of Limitations
If you’re considering filing a dog bite claim, it’s important to understand your state’s statute of limitations in regard to personal injury claims. The statute of limitations is the law in your state that establishes a time limit on your ability to bring a particular type of claim. The standard time limit for personal injury claims is between 2-3 years, however, this can vary. A consultation with a dog bite attorney can tell you the specific statute of limitations for your area.
Why hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Having an attorney is in your best interest. Dog bite injuries are very common, however, it can be difficult to determine liability and hold the dog owner accountable without experience. If you choose to represent yourself, you may be unsuccessful in seeking compensation for your injuries.
Zinda Law Group has an experienced group of attorneys that will fight tirelessly to make sure you are being treated fairly. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means that if we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us anything.
FAQs
Can I get compensation for a dog bite?
You may be able to seek compensation for a dog bite, however, this is heavily dependent on the circumstances. If a dog bit you due to another person’s negligence, then you may be able to seek compensation. However, if you provoked a dog into biting you, you may be unable to file a claim.
How long after a dog bite can you sue?
In Texas, you have 2 years after a dog bite to sue.
How long does it take for a dog bite settlement?
It is hard to give a generally applicable estimate of how long your claim will take because each claim is different. However, the general timeline of a personal injury case includes an investigation to establish fault, notifying the insurance companies, negotiating a settlement, and then potentially filing a lawsuit.
Trust Zinda Law Group With Your Case
The injury lawyers at Zinda Law Group have experience representing victims of dog bite cases. Our dog bite lawyers will seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. If you were injured by a dog or animal, call our attorneys today at 800-863-5312 to receive a free legal consultation. We can help you understand your case and the best course of action moving forward.
Meetings with attorneys by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA
Jason Aldridge
Attorney
We have successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
