While dogs may be theĀ winners of the internetĀ and generallyĀ do humans a lot of good, there do happen to be occasions where manās best friend can become manās worst enemy. Animal attacks or dog bites are frighteningĀ andĀ can result inĀ pain, disease, injury andĀ lastingĀ damage.Ā Thompson Law hasĀ meaningful experience inĀ dog bite injury cases–Ā just seeĀ our resultsĀ for the story of our past success.Ā
Legal issues around dog owner responsibility, premises duty of care, victim trespassing and more can complicate dog bite injury cases. In these circumstances, the experience and specialization of Thompson Law, DFWās dog bite injury lawyer, are tremendous assets to winning you the best possible outcome and gaining youĀ every lastĀ penny of your just compensation.Ā Ā
Who isĀ Liable forĀ a Dog Bite Incident when the Victim is a Trespasser?Ā
The question of liability in a dog bite case is often more complicated than you might think, due to theĀ variousĀ individuals who may be responsible for the actions of an animalĀ at a given time and place. This becomes even more complicated when the victim of the dog bite attack is trespassing at the time of the incident. Whether or not you are liable isĀ a question that an experienced animal attack attorney can help to answer.Ā Ā
Potential Liable Parties:Ā
- The dog owner (includingĀ theĀ parents of a minor dog owner)Ā Ā
- Landlord / Property Owner of the location where the incident occurredĀ Ā
- Security Company responsible for the safety of a given premisesĀ Ā
- Commercial Company responsible for the space where the incident occurredĀ Ā
- Insurer for the property owner or renter of the location of the attackĀ
- Dog walkersĀ
- Kennel ownersĀ Ā
What if I have a āBeware of Dogā sign?Ā
Comparative Negligence does play a role in Texas dog bite disputes. For example, a dog owner who posts a āBeware of dogā sign on the enclosed area where the dog is located canĀ argue for lesser responsibility in the attack incident. The posting may constitute a reasonable warning to property visitors that means those visitors also have a responsibility to their own safety on that property.Ā Ā
InvitedĀ GuestĀ vs.Ā TrespasserĀ vs.Ā SalespersonĀ
In most cases, property owners or renters have a āduty of careāĀ on private propertyĀ to provide for the safety and well-being of individuals entering that property, including their invited guests and other visitors such as salespeople, delivery people, or other solicitors. Trespassers complicate this question of the duty of care, and the regulations on animal owners in the circumstance of an attack on a trespasser vary by state. In Texas, as in many states, the duty of care or standard of care owed to trespassers is lower than to lawful individuals on a property. Thus, if you as the property owner have taken reasonable measures to secure your animal or warn individuals on your property as to the presence of an animal, your liability for the incident may be decreased.Ā Ā
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Dog ClassificationsĀ
According to theĀ City of Dallas (any many other cities and townships utilize similar classifications, typically as mandated by the state), an aggressive dog and a dangerous dog have distinct meanings, and owners of these animals are required to comply with animal ownership regulations accordingly.Ā
AnĀ aggressive dogĀ is a dog that has at least once, while not legally restrained, killed or injured a legally restrained domestic or livestock anima.Ā Ā
AĀ dangerous dogĀ is an animal that attacks and causes injury to a human without provocation.Ā Ā
Each of these categorizations has a related legal definition and a distinct determination process as regulated by city code. Owner of dangerous or aggressive dogs are subject to increased annual registration fees, compliance in entry to a city-wide database of dangerous or aggressive animals, and meeting requirements of ownership. Ā
Additionally,Ā Texas is a āStrict Liabilityā state, meaning a victim injured by a dog already deemed aggressive or dangerous by the state does not need to prove the failure of reasonable care or restraint by the owner. The classification of the animal is enough to confirm liability. Ā
What to do After a Dog Bites a Trespasser?Ā
In the immediate aftermath ofĀ a dog biteĀ attack, itās understandable that you may be extremely overwhelmed. With that understood, it is critically important to call the proper authorities and contact an experienced dog bite attorneyĀ forĀ adviceĀ onĀ how to proceed.Ā Ā Ā Ā
First ā Seek safety at the scene.Ā In a situation where your dog has bitten a trespasser, the individual may be harmless and have accidentally wandered on to your property, or they may be there for purposes of malintent.Ā EitherĀ way, be sure you stay safe. Secure the animal if you are able to do so without compromising your own safety and move to a separate but nearby location.Ā Ā
Second ā Call the Proper Authorities after an animal attack ā the police. Once the police arrive and are taking the report, they will engage in animal control and other agencies as needed. Of course, if injuries are very severe, call 911 for help from both police and emergency medical services (EMS). Fast and expert medical help can make all the difference in a successful recovery after a serious dog bite.Ā Ā Ā
Third ā Call an Expert Personal Injury Lawyer. Children are not the only victims who need help and representation by legal counsel after an attack, adults too should seek legal resources to help on their path to recovery and just compensation for the event.Ā Ā Ā
Call (844) 308-8180
Related ResourcesĀ
City of Dallas Animal Services ā Dog ClassificationsĀ
DallasĀ City Code on Dog BitesĀ
Contact Thompson Law for HelpĀ
GetĀ LegalĀ HelpĀ After aĀ DogĀ Bite with Thompson LawĀ
After a dog bite injury, manyĀ people are hesitant to reach out for help from a medical provider, let alone from an attorney.Ā However, the fact isĀ that aĀ standard of careĀ isĀ owed to you as a human being entering the domain of another individual or company, regardless ofĀ whether or not dogs areĀ on the premises. You are deserving of health andĀ healing, and if you have experienced a dog attack, you are deserving of recovery and compensation for your medical bills, pain, and suffering.Ā
Ryan āThe Lionā ThompsonĀ and hisĀ experienced attorneys at Thompson Law knowĀ your rightsĀ and will fight hard for what you deserve.Ā If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite attack, reach out anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,Ā for the advice you need and the fierce representation you want. Call the fours at 214-444-4444 in Dallas, 817-444-4444 in Fort Worth, 972-444-4444 in North Dallas, 469-444-4444 in the DFW Mid-Cities, or toll free at the number listed below:Ā
Call (844) 308-8180
Ā
Learn more about the help that a personal injury lawyer can provide after a dog bite incident.Ā Ā
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Texas is two years, so if you have been injured inĀ a dog bite accident, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. The sooner you know your options, the sooner you are on the path to recovery and your deserved compensation. Call the 4 and get the roar lawyer right away for assistance with your injury and claim: 214-444-4444, 817-444-4444, 972-444-4444, 469-444-4444, or toll free at the phone number below.Ā
Call (844) 308-8180
Ā
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