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In McAllen, dog owners typically care for their pets and manage them responsibly in public. However, dogs can be unpredictable. If they feel threatened, they may bite or attack. Each year, McAllen sees hundreds of reported dog bites, which can lead to serious injuries—and in rare cases, even fatalities.
Have you been injured by a dog bite in McAllen? You might be eligible for compensation from the dog’s owner. At the Ryan Solis Law Group, our personal injury lawyer is ready to assist you. Reach out to our McAllen law firm today for a free consultation. When you contact us, we will evaluate your case and outline your legal options.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) estimates that around 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs each year. Tragically, these bites can also be fatal. Between 2005 and 2019, over 520 people lost their lives due to dog attacks in the U.S.
A study on fatal dog bites in Texas reveals that 88% of deadly attacks occur on the owner’s property. Additionally, children are particularly vulnerable, with the AVMA noting that more than 45% of fatal dog bite victims were under 16 years old from 2008 to 2018.
If you find yourself attacked by a dog in McAllen, it’s essential to take steps to safeguard your health and legal rights. Here’s what you should do after a dog bite injury:
✅ Seek Medical Attention: If you’ve been bitten, get medical help right away. Even minor injuries can have hidden complications, so a professional evaluation is crucial. Be sure to keep records of all medical treatments and related expenses.
✅ Gather Information: Once you’ve received treatment, collect details about the dog and its owner. This includes the owner’s name and contact information, along with specifics about the dog’s breed and age.
✅ Document the Scene: Take photographs of the location where the attack occurred and your injuries. Close-up shots of bite marks or scratches can be invaluable for any legal proceedings.
✅ Report the Incident: Notify McAllen Animal Control Services about the attack. This allows them to document and investigate the incident and provide guidance on local animal control laws.
✅ Keep All Documentation: After reporting, make sure to keep all relevant documents, such as medical bills, police reports, and any other paperwork related to the incident.
✅ Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer: After a dog attack, consider reaching out to an experienced dog bite attorney who can guide you through your legal options.
Children are more frequently the victims of dog bites compared to adults. A study found that 68% of bite victims were children under 11, with over half of them being younger than three years old.
Dogs often become defensive when they feel provoked or threatened. Young children, in particular, may not know how to interact with animals safely or understand that their actions can provoke a response. They might take a dog’s food, pull its tail, or tease the animal, which can lead to a defensive reaction from the dog. This behavior helps explain why children are more often involved in dog bite incidents than adults.
A dog bite can be a traumatic experience, leading to significant pain and suffering. The last thing you want is to navigate a complicated dog bite injury claim on your own. Insurance companies often push back at every turn, trying to minimize the compensation you deserve.
By hiring a dog bite attorney in your area, you can focus on your recovery. Reach out to our experienced McAllen dog bite lawyer to arrange a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Remember, you have a limited time to take action, so don’t hesitate—call us for assistance today.
In McAllen, you have a limited time frame to file a dog bite lawsuit. Texas law sets a strict statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Generally, you have two years from the date of the dog attack to submit your claim. If you delay beyond this period, you may lose your right to seek compensation from the dog’s owner.
Texas operates under the “one-bite rule,” which means a person may seek compensation if they can demonstrate that the dog has bitten someone before or acted aggressively. This applies only if the owner was aware or should have been aware of the dog’s previous dangerous behavior. In other words, the victim must show that the dog’s owner had reason to know the animal could cause harm. A dog bite victim can use various evidence to establish the owner’s awareness of the dog’s biting tendencies, including:
✅ The dog is often kept chained or muzzled.
✅ The owner received reports of the dog growling, attacking other dogs, or lunging at people.
✅ The owner trained the dog for fighting or as a guard dog.
✅ The owner warned others about the dog’s tendency to bite.
✅The owner has a “Beware of Dog” sign on their property.
It’s important to note that there is a trespasser exception to this rule. If a dog bites you while you are trespassing on the owner’s property, the owner may not be held liable for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured because of a dog bite in the McAllen area, you may be entitled to compensation. There are two ways to frame your dog bite lawsuit. You can base your case on either negligence or strict liability.
Negligence
A dog owner might be liable for dog bite injuries if their own negligence contributed to the attack. Negligence occurs when:
✅ A person has and breaches a duty of care to others, and
✅ That breach causes an injury
Owners have a responsibility to limit the potential harm their dog could cause others. If an owner fails to control their dog, keep them in a fenced yard, or secure them on a leash, they may be considered negligent. When that negligence is a substantial factor in an injury or attack, the owner can be at fault and responsible for damages.
Strict Liability
Owners can also be strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog. Strict liability means that liability exists even when dog owners take precautions to control their dogs and keep others safe. Victims don’t have to prove that the owner was negligent. Instead, the victim just has to show:
✅ They were injured because of a dog bite or attack, and
✅ The dog’s owner knew – or should have known – about the dog’s history or propensity to be vicious.
If a dog has been violent or attacked someone in the past, the owner can be strictly liable for all future attacks.
It’s important to note that your ability to recover compensation may be limited if you provoked the dog or contributed to your injury in some way. These exceptions may not apply if the dog bite victim is a young child.
Compensation for dog bite cases is intended to address both economic and non-economic damages, reflecting the immediate and long-term effects of the injury. Here’s an overview of the types of compensation available and the factors that influence them:
Types of Compensation Available:
✅ Medical Expenses: This includes costs for emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and any future medical care needed as a result of the dog bite. Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses are also included.
✅ Lost Wages: If the injury caused you to miss work, you can claim compensation for lost wages. This also covers loss of earning capacity if the injuries hinder your ability to return to your previous job or perform at the same level.
✅ Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for pain and suffering account for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the dog bite. This can include anxiety, fear, and the effects of any scarring or disfigurement.
✅ Property Damage: If your personal property was damaged during the incident, such as clothing or glasses, you may receive compensation for repair or replacement costs.
✅ Punitive Damages: In cases where the dog owner acted particularly recklessly or egregiously, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish the owner and deter similar behavior in the future.
✅ Severity of Injuries: More serious and lasting injuries typically lead to higher compensation. Permanent injuries or disabilities usually result in greater awards.
✅ Impact on Quality of Life: Compensation can be affected by how the injuries change your daily life, including your ability to enjoy hobbies, complete household tasks, and maintain relationships.
✅ Economic Losses: The total amount of economic losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages, directly influences the compensation amount.
✅ Liability and Negligence: The level of fault attributed to the dog owner, as well as any “comparative negligence” on the victim’s part (if applicable), can adjust the compensation received.
✅ Insurance Coverage: The limits of the dog owner’s insurance policy can also affect the compensation amount, particularly during settlement negotiations.
An experienced dog bite attorney can assist victims in assessing the full scope of their damages, gathering necessary evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies to secure fair compensation.
✅ Proving Liability: One of the main hurdles in a dog bite case is demonstrating the owner’s liability. In Texas, showing that the owner knew or should have known about the dog’s aggressive behavior can be complicated. This often requires substantial evidence, including prior reports of aggression or witness testimonies.
✅ Comparative Negligence: Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which can complicate dog bite cases. If the victim is found to share some fault (for instance, by provoking the dog), the compensation awarded may be reduced.
✅ Gathering Evidence: Collecting thorough evidence to support your claim is essential but can be challenging. This includes medical records, injury photographs, witness statements, and any previous complaints about the dog. It’s crucial to gather evidence promptly to ensure its accuracy and relevance.
✅ Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. Victims may encounter low settlement offers or disputes regarding the severity of injuries and the need for compensation. A skilled dog bite attorney can negotiate effectively to secure fair compensation.
✅ Statute of Limitations: In Texas, dog bite cases must be filed within a specific time frame after the incident. Acting swiftly is vital to avoid missing this deadline, which could prevent the victim from pursuing compensation.
✅ Emotional and Psychological Impact: The emotional and psychological effects of a dog bite can be profound, yet proving these impacts in court is often difficult. Documenting emotional distress may require detailed records and, in some instances, expert testimony.
✅ Determining the Value of Your Claim: Accurately assessing the full value of your claim—including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care costs—can be complex. This requires a deep understanding of both immediate and long-term injury effects.
Confronting these challenges with the support of an experienced McAllen dog bite lawyer can greatly influence the outcome of your case and the compensation you receive. Our McAllen dog bite attorney has the expertise and resources to strengthen your case, advocating for your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Dog bites can have both physical and emotional repercussions. Here are some of the most common types of injuries associated with dog bites:
✅ Lacerations: These are deep cuts caused by the dog’s teeth. Such wounds can be painful and often require medical treatment to prevent infection.
✅ Scarring: Dog bites can lead to permanent scarring, especially if the wounds are not treated properly.
✅ Muscle Damage: Injuries may extend to the underlying muscles, tendons, and ligaments, resulting in severe pain and possibly necessitating surgical repair.
✅ Emotional Trauma: Being attacked by a dog can be a deeply traumatic experience, affecting both adults and children, and may lead to anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder.
✅ Infections: If a dog bite is not adequately treated, it can become infected. Common infections include tetanus, rabies, and bacterial infections like Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.
✅ Nerve Damage: A strong dog bite can injure nearby nerves, causing significant pain and loss of sensation. This may result in permanent or long-lasting nerve damage, leading to ongoing discomfort and physical challenges.
✅ Facial Injuries: Dog bites to the face can result in lacerations, scarring, and disfigurement. In severe cases, victims may also suffer facial fractures, broken teeth, or eye damage.
At the Ryan Solis Law Group, we believe there is no justification for irresponsible dog owners, who endanger the lives of others. When individuals suffer preventable injuries in such incidents, we strive to secure maximum compensation from the dog owner to ensure that victims and their families receive the financial support they need and deserve. We know how to hold irresponsible dog owners accountable and are prepared to assist you with your claim.
If you’ve suffered a dog bite injury caused by an irresponsible owner and have questions about your rights to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages, an experienced McAllen dog bite lawyer is ready to help. Call the Ryan Solis Law Group at 956-686-9600 or fill out our online contact form. Consultations are always free and come with no obligation.
Insurance companies will always try to minimize their payouts to you. One effective way to combat this is by staying informed. Below are some common questions from our dog bite injury clients that you might find useful.
To succeed in your dog bite case, you must demonstrate “negligence.” This usually involves establishing four key elements:
✅ Legal Duty of Care: The dog owner had a responsibility to keep others safe from harm.
✅ Breach of Duty: The owner failed to fulfill this duty, putting others at risk.
✅ Causation: This breach directly led to your injuries.
✅ Damages: You experienced actual damages as a result of the incident.
Proving these elements is essential for winning your case.
Key evidence includes photographs, witness statements, and medical records. The goal is to link your dog bite injuries to the compensation you seek. A dog bite lawyer can assist you in gathering this evidence and establishing the connection between your injuries, the dog, and the damages you deserve.
Yes, the first step after a dog bite is to call 911. This ensures that the police and/or animal control can manage the situation and secure the dog. In addition to handling the dog, emergency responders will create a report, which is essential for any potential claim. Make sure to clearly explain the incident to the authorities.
Texas dog bite laws implement a form of the “one-bite rule,” similar to those in several other states. According to this rule, a dog owner can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog if they are aware of the animal’s aggressive or vicious behavior.
In Texas, dogs, cats, or ferrets that bite or scratch a person must be monitored for 10 full days from the date of the incident, regardless of their rabies vaccination status. During this observation period, pet owners must keep their animals confined at home, and specific conditions must be followed.
Yes, Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations for filing a dog bite claim. This means you have two years from the date of the bite to start legal proceedings.
Dog bites can take place on private property, in public parks, or on sidewalks. However, they are relatively rare in public spaces. In fact, most dog bites occur at the dog’s home. A study on fatal dog bites in Texas revealed that 80 percent of these incidents happened on the owner’s property.
Each year, over 4.7 million dog bites are reported in the United States.
