San Antonio Dog Bite Lawyer


If you were attacked by a dog and are interested in seeking compensation for your injuries, get in touch with a San Antonio dog bite attorney.

Being bitten by a dog is a truly terrifying experience. The behavior of animals can be unpredictable, and you never know when an attack will happen or when it will end once it begins. Dog bites can result in significant injuries that you should not have to be responsible for—especially since it wasn’t your pet.

With the help of a San Antonio dog bite lawyer at J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP, you will have a chance to recover the compensation you deserve. You may have been attacked by an animal, but just because you can’t sue the dog doesn’t mean you have to cover the costs of your injuries. We will determine who should be responsible for your injuries and make sure you understand the value of your claim.

Who Is at Fault for My Dog Attack Injuries?

You might assume that the owner of the dog should always be held liable for the actions of his or her pet. While this is partially true, Texas follows what’s known as the "one bite" rule. Under this doctrine, compensation for your injuries can only be sought under specific circumstances.

The owner had to have previous knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior, and the dog had to have bitten or acted like it wanted to bite someone before. Compensation can also be recovered if the owner or handler of the dog was negligent.

To prove negligence, we must show that the dog owner did not exercise the kind of care that a “reasonably prudent and careful person” would. For example, in a public park, a reasonable person would have his or her dog on a leash, while an unreasonable person would allow a dog to roam free.

There are a few circumstances under Texas law in which someone other than the pet owner could be found liable. In some cases, a landlord or property owner who is not the dog handler could be held responsible because a renter owns the dog. In other cases, if someone is witnessing the attack and fails to stop it or attempt to stop it, he or she may also be found liable.

Your dog bite lawyer in San Antonio will interview witnesses and investigate the specifics of your case to determine which individuals hold some responsibility for your injuries.

Texas Dog Bite Laws to Remember

Laws surrounding dog bites vary by state. Texas is distinctive from other states in the way we handle dog bites. Apart from following the one bite rule, there are a few other key points to take away when you’re educating and preparing yourself for a personal injury claim involving a San Antonio dog bite.

Texas is one of only a handful of states that apply comparative negligence to dog bite claims. This means that, if you contributed in some way to the dog biting you—say you tried to pet a dog you had never encountered before—then the amount you would be able to recover would decrease based on your level of fault.

In cases in which children are injured, comparative negligence still applies. But because it is difficult to gauge a child’s ability to understand, appreciate, and foresee the potential danger in interacting with a passing pooch, children will be held to the same standard as another child of the same age, understanding, and cognitive capacity.

The Value of Your San Antonio Dog Bite Injury

Dog bites can result in severe injuries. A particularly vicious dog can leave a person permanently disfigured, and if the dog has attacked a child, the child could have serious physical and emotional trauma stemming from the attack. Some of the damages that can be recovered include the following:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety
  • Lost wages

Your San Antonio dog attack lawyer will establish a reasonable compensation request based on your physician’s opinion of the impact your injuries will have on your life or the life of your child.

Get Help from a San Antonio Dog Bite Attorney

When you have suffered injuries caused by a dog attack, the person responsible for the care of the dog should be held accountable for the expenses you’ve incurred. If you are ready to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party, contact the team of qualified attorneys at J.A. Davis & Associates, LLP.

Our accomplished attorneys will prioritize your needs so you can obtain full compensation for all of your losses. To schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a San Antonio dog bite lawyer, fill out our contact form below or give us a call at 210-732-1062.