How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps With a Dog Bite Claim in Fort Worth
Our Fort Worth dog bite lawyers build the case against the owner and deal with the insurance company so you can focus on healing. Dog bite claims are often paid through homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, and insurers look for reasons to deny or reduce them.
When you hire us, our attorneys will:
- Investigate the attack and the dog’s history
- Gather animal control records, witness statements, photos, and medical records
- Identify every responsible party and insurance policy
- Respond to claims that you provoked the dog or caused your own injury
- Calculate the full value of your case, including future scar treatment
- Negotiate a settlement or take your case to trial
We work on a contingency fee, so you don’t owe attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. We serve all of Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
What Is Texas Dog Bite Law?
Texas has no single dog bite statute. Injured people usually recover under one of two legal theories: strict liability under the “one bite” rule, or ordinary negligence. Many cases use both.
Strict liability and the one bite rule
An owner who knew or should have known that their dog was dangerous is responsible for the injuries it causes, even if they took precautions. Evidence of known danger can include:
- A prior bite or attack
- Growling, lunging, or snapping at people
- Complaints from neighbors or animal control
- The owner’s own warnings, such as “beware of dog” signs
Negligence
An owner who failed to use reasonable care to control the dog can be liable even without a history of aggression. Examples include:
- Letting the dog roam loose or off-leash
- Violating Fort Worth animal control laws
- Leaving gates open or fences in disrepair
- Leaving a dog alone with young children
Who Can Be Liable for a Dog Bite in Fort Worth?
The dog’s owner is usually responsible, but others who controlled the dog or the property may share liability. Depending on the facts, that can include:
- The person keeping, walking, or watching the dog
- A landlord who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous and could have removed it
- A business or property owner that allowed a dangerous dog on its premises
Some dog bites are also premises liability claims, especially when an attack happens at an apartment complex, business, or rental home.
What If the Owner Says I Provoked the Dog?
You can still recover if you were partly at fault, as long as your share is 50% or less. Texas follows modified comparative fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and at 51% or more you recover nothing.
Owners and insurers often claim the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing. Witness statements, video, and the dog’s history help answer those arguments. Children are often bitten, and they are not held to the same standard as adults.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks can cause serious injuries, especially to children’s faces and hands. Our clients’ cases often involve:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Infections
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Injuries from being knocked down
- Anxiety, fear of dogs, and PTSD
Many victims need reconstructive surgery and long-term scar treatment. For the most serious attacks, see our catastrophic injury and wrongful death pages.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite?
You can seek compensation for both your financial losses and the personal impact of the attack. Economic damages include:
- Emergency care, surgery, and future medical bills
- Reconstructive and cosmetic procedures
- Counseling
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Texas Dog Bite Case?
You generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. After the statute of limitations passes, you lose the right to sue. Report the bite to Tarrant County animal control or the city, get medical care, and contact a lawyer while evidence of the dog’s history is still easy to find.
About Brad Parker
Fort Worth Dog Bite FAQs
What is the one bite rule in Texas?
Under the one bite rule, a dog owner is strictly liable for injuries if they knew, or should have known, that their dog had dangerous tendencies. Proof can include an earlier bite, prior attacks, growling or lunging at people, or complaints from neighbors. When the rule applies, you don't have to prove the owner was careless on the day of the attack.
Can I sue if the dog had never bitten anyone before?
Possibly. Even without a history of aggression, an owner can be liable for negligence if they failed to use reasonable care to control the dog. Examples include letting the dog run loose, violating Fort Worth leash and restraint rules, leaving a gate open, or ignoring signs the dog was about to attack.
Who can be liable for a dog bite besides the owner?
Depending on the facts, liability may extend to a person who was keeping or walking the dog, a landlord who knew a tenant's dog was dangerous and could have acted, or a business that allowed a dangerous dog on its property. Homeowner's and renter's insurance policies often cover dog bite claims.
What should I do after a dog bite in Fort Worth?
Get medical care right away, because bites can become infected. Get the owner's name and contact information and ask about rabies vaccination. Photograph your injuries and the location. Report the bite to Fort Worth animal control. Get names of witnesses, and don't give a recorded statement to an insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas. After that deadline passes, you lose the right to sue. Claims involving a child may follow different timing rules, so talk to a lawyer early.
How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?
We handle dog bite cases on a contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront and don't owe attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee will never exceed your recovery, and we explain the exact terms in writing before we begin.
Visit Our Fort Worth Office
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
209 N Hampton St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday Closed