Bedford Dog Bite Lawyer

How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps After a Bedford Dog Bite

A Bedford dog bite lawyer investigates the attack, proves the owner is responsible, and handles the insurance claim while you heal. Owners and their insurers often claim the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing, and an attorney protects you from that blame.

Brad Parker has represented injured people in Bedford, Hurst, Euless, and the rest of Northeast Tarrant County since 1985. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

When you hire us, we:

• Investigate the attack and the dog’s history of aggression
• Check animal control records, registration, and any “dangerous dog” designation
• Gather evidence and identify everyone who shares responsibility
• Find the insurance policies that cover the claim
• Handle communications, paperwork, and negotiations
• Consult animal behavior professionals when they help your case
• Represent you in Tarrant County courts if a fair settlement isn’t offered

▶Play video

What Do I Have to Prove in a Texas Dog Bite Case?

Texas has no civil statute that makes dog owners automatically liable for bites. Instead, you can recover by proving one of two things:

1. The owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, and the dog caused your injuries. This is the “one-bite rule.” If the dog had bitten someone before or shown vicious tendencies, the owner was on notice and can be held strictly liable.
2. The owner was negligent, meaning they failed to use reasonable care to control the dog or prevent the attack, and that failure caused your injuries.

The second path matters because many dogs that bite have no known history. An owner can be liable for negligence if they:

• Let the dog run loose
• Violated a leash or restraint rule
• Left a gate or door open
• Failed to warn visitors about a dog they knew was nervous or territorial
• Left a child alone with the dog

Can a Dog Owner Face Criminal Charges in Texas?

Yes. The Texas Health and Safety Code makes it a crime for an owner to fail to secure a dog that then makes an unprovoked attack off the owner’s property and causes serious bodily injury or death. It is also an offense when an owner knows the dog is a “dangerous dog” and it attacks outside a secure enclosure.

A criminal case is separate from your injury claim, but records from animal control and any prosecution can be strong evidence in a civil case. We check whether the dog was designated dangerous, properly registered, and insured.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Dog attacks can cause injuries far beyond a puncture wound, especially for young children, whose faces and necks are closer to a dog’s height. Common injuries include:

• Puncture wounds, cuts, and bruises
• Facial injuries and scarring
• Neck injuries
• Nerve damage
• Muscle and other soft tissue damage
• Broken bones and crush injuries
• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury
• Amputations
• Infections
• Emotional trauma, including fear of dogs and PTSD

See a doctor after any bite, especially from an unfamiliar dog. Bites often become infected and may need antibiotics, a tetanus shot, or rabies treatment. If your child was hurt, see our Bedford child injury lawyer page.

What Compensation Can Dog Bite Victims Recover?

Dog bite victims in Bedford can recover economic and non-economic damages. The value of a claim depends on how serious the injuries are, whether they caused permanent scarring or disability, what led to the attack, and the insurance available.

Economic damages can include:

• Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, and wound care
• Future treatment, such as plastic surgery or physical therapy
• Lost income and job benefits
• Reduced earning ability
• Out-of-pocket costs

Non-economic damages can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Emotional trauma and PTSD
• Reduced quality of life

Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. A landlord or property owner who knew about a dangerous dog may also share responsibility under premises liability law.

What If I’m Blamed for Provoking the Dog?

Provocation is one of the most common defenses in Texas dog bite cases. When a claim is based on negligence, Texas modified comparative fault can reduce your recovery.

If a jury finds you 30% at fault, you recover 70% of your damages. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Insurance companies know this rule well and use it to pay less. We gather witness statements, photos, and the dog’s history to show what really happened.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Texas?

Texas law generally gives you two years from the date of the dog bite to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you will likely be barred from recovering compensation from the owner.

Don’t wait until the deadline is near. Evidence can be lost, wounds heal before they’re photographed, and witnesses forget details or move away. Contact our Bedford office to start your claim.

About Brad Parker

Bedford Dog Bite FAQs

Visit Our Bedford Office