Have you been injured by a dog bite in Houston, TX? Call The de la Garza Law Group at 713-784-1010 for the legal representation you deserve today. An experienced Houston dog bite lawyer can help you fight to recover compensation for your medical treatment, lost income, pain, trauma, and more.
Our attorneys have over 46 years of combined experience in personal injury law. We’ve already put our skills to work and recovered over $50 million in settlements and verdicts for injured clients. If someone else’s dog has bitten you, our attorneys are here to help.
Why Should I Call The de la Garza Law Group for Legal Help After a Dog Bite Injury in Houston?
Recovering compensation after an injury in Houston, Texas, is rarely easy. Dog bite injuries are covered by most homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies. That means you’ll be forced to deal with the dog owner’s insurance company. Our team at The de la Garza Law Group knows the law and the insurance process inside and out.
Members of our firm have earned some of the top accolades awarded to lawyers in Texas, including:
- A perfect-10 Avvo lawyer rating
- The Avvo Clients’ Choice Awards
- Super Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers, with a “Top 100” ranking
Insurance companies recognize our name–and they know we don’t back down from a fight. We’re prepared to put our proven track record of success to work in your case. Contact our trusted Houston personal injury attorneys today to learn more about how we can protect your interests during this difficult time.
Statistics on Dog Bite Injuries in Texas
Roughly 68 million American households own a dog. Even a well-trained dog can cause significant injuries when they unexpectedly bite. It’s estimated that 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Roughly 800,000 dog bite victims require medical treatment. Houston is one of the most dangerous areas when it comes to dog bite injuries.
The Insurance Information Institute publishes statistics about insurance payouts to dog bite injury victims. In terms of cost, Texas ranks third on the list. Texas insurance companies paid out over $90 million to settle dog bite injury claims in 2024.
What Is My Houston Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury claim is dependent on a number of factors. The most relevant is the severity of your injuries. Severe injury cases are usually worth the most.
Additional factors that are likely to impact your case value are:
- Your current financial expenses
- Your prognosis for making a full recovery
- The value of any lost income if you were forced to miss work
- Long-term impacts associated with the injury
- The pain and trauma you’ve endured
- Your age at the time of the dog attack
Without understanding the details, it’s virtually impossible to put a dollar value on your case. Our Houston dog bite attorneys will carefully evaluate the facts.
What Types of Compensatory Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Injury Victims in Houston?
Compensatory damages are divided into two key classes in Texas: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Your economic damages award should cover all current and projected future costs associated with the dog bite, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Reconstructive surgeries
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Mental health counseling
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages awards can be significant in cases involving serious dog bite injuries. Examples of these more personal, subjective losses include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety and fear
- Lost ability to enjoy life
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement or scarring
- Damage to relationships
Victims have the burden of proving the damages they’ve suffered due to an injury. You’ll have to identify all of your specific losses. You’ll need receipts to prove your financial expenses. You’ll also have to convince the insurance company about the value of your non-financial losses.
Can I Recover Any Damages if I’m Partly Responsible for a Dog Bite Injury in Texas?
Dog owners often try to defend against liability by claiming the victim provoked the dog bite. You won’t automatically lose your right to compensation even if the dog owner can prove you did something to provoke the dog bite.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence law. Victims can receive partial compensation if their share of fault is not greater than 50%. Victim-blaming is a common tactic. It’s used to minimize the amount of money the insurance company will be forced to pay.
You don’t have to automatically accept these allegations; The de la Garza Law Group can help protect you from blame.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer To Handle a Dog Bite Injury Case in Texas?
Personal injury attorneys in Texas work on a contingency fee basis. You’ll never pay anything up front. Your fees depend entirely on your attorney’s ability to recover compensation in your case. After your attorney recovers compensation, you pay a fixed percentage.
Our Attorneys in Houston Are Ready To Fight for Compensation for All of Your Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs have the ability to cause a tremendous amount of damage. The overall severity of the injuries will generally depend on the dog that attacks and the victim. Unfortunately, children are often vulnerable to the most serious injuries.
Our attorneys at The de la Garza Law Group represent clients with all types of injuries, including:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder and joint injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Sepsis and shock
- Amputations, typically caused by infection
- Catastrophic injuries
Recovering from your physical injuries should be your top priority. Dog bites can also leave victims struggling with serious mental scars. From an emotional standpoint, animal attacks can be incredibly traumatic. These non-physical injuries should also be considered in your overall compensation award.
What Laws Govern Dog Bite Injury Cases in Texas?
Laws governing dog bite claims vary from state to state. Some states follow strict liability, meaning a dog owner is automatically responsible when their dog bites someone. Others apply a “one bite rule,” where liability depends on whether the owner knew—or should have known—that the dog was dangerous based on prior behavior.
Texas Dog Bite Law Overview
Texas does not have a specific statute addressing dog bite liability. Instead, these cases are governed by legal standards established by the Texas Supreme Court.
In Texas, a dog owner may be held liable if either of the following is proven:
- The dog has bitten someone before, putting the owner on notice that the dog is dangerous
- The dog has not bitten before, but the owner knew the dog had vicious or aggressive tendencies
Together, these standards determine whether an owner can be held legally responsible for a dog bite injury.
This framework essentially combines elements of the one bite rule and strict liability. Once a dog has demonstrated dangerous behavior, the owner can be held responsible regardless of their actions at the time of the incident.
Proving Liability Without a Prior Bite
If the dog has no history of biting, proving liability can be more challenging. In these cases, you typically need evidence showing:
- The dog previously displayed aggressive or harmful behavior
- The owner was aware of the dog’s dangerous tendencies
- The dog ultimately bit and caused injury
These elements help establish what the owner knew and whether they failed to act appropriately.
Negligence in Texas Dog Bite Cases
Strict liability is not the only path to recovery. Dog owners may still be held responsible under negligence laws, even if the dog has no known history of aggression.
For example, an owner may be liable if they:
- Failed to properly secure the dog
- Allowed the dog to roam freely without a leash
- Violated local leash laws, such as those in Houston
In these cases, liability is based on the owner’s failure to use reasonable care.
Third-Party Liability and Premises Liability
In some situations, someone other than the dog’s owner may be responsible. Under premises liability laws, property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors.
A property owner may be liable if:
- They knew a dangerous dog was on the property
- They failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm
These claims focus on whether a property owner failed to address a known safety risk.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Dog Bite Injury in Texas?
The statute of limitations in personal injury cases is two years. After a dog bite, you have two years to file a lawsuit. Once the two-year anniversary of the injury date has passed, your case will be dismissed, and you’ll have lost your right to seek compensation.
Contact an Experienced Houston Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation Today
Were you bitten by someone else’s dog in Houston, Texas? Call The de la Garza Law Group for a free consultation. An experienced Houston dog bite attorney from our team can help you fight for the money you deserve.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Houston, TX
The de la Garza Law Group
1616 S Voss Rd Suite 870,
Houston, TX 77057
(713) 784-1010
24/7
