A dog attack can happen quickly, but the injuries may have lasting effects. One moment you are walking through your neighborhood, and the next you may face puncture wounds, infection, and unexpected medical bills. Serious bites can leave permanent scars and lasting fear, especially for children. A skilled personal injury attorney from Javier Villarreal Injury Law Firm can handle the insurance company and fight for compensation for your losses.
Owner liability is not automatic. You must show that the owner acted carelessly or knew the dog was dangerous, and insurers may expect you to give up before you find supporting evidence. An Edinburg dog bite lawyer from our team can investigate the dog’s history, secure witness accounts and records, and use that evidence to support your claim.
The law does not automatically hold a dog owner liable for every bite. Instead, you can hold an owner responsible in two ways. The one-bite rule applies when the owner knew the dog was dangerous because of a prior bite or warning signs such as growling, snapping, or lunging. You can also pursue a negligence claim when the owner failed to control the animal or violated a local leash law.
Anyone who owns a dog with a dangerous-dog designation also has specific duties. Under Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.042, those owners must keep the animal in a secure enclosure and carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance. If an owner violates these requirements or conceals the dog’s history, our attorneys can use that evidence to support your dog bite claim in Edinburg.
Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional harm. Deep lacerations, nerve damage, infections, and emotional trauma can persist long after the initial injury, and children may suffer facial injuries. These injuries can also lead to substantial financial and personal losses.
After a dog bite in Edinburg, our lawyers can help you seek compensation for losses such as:
In most cases, the owner’s home or renter’s policy covers the damages, which means an insurance adjuster will hunt for any reason to shrink your payout. Our legal team will push back and fight to make it right.
You do not have unlimited time to act. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, you can lose your right to pursue the case. Insurers know the deadline and can delay negotiations in hopes that it expires.
Waiting can also weaken your claim. Witnesses can forget details, and the dog can disappear before anyone documents its history. If a dog bites you in Edinburg, our attorneys can begin protecting your rights before important evidence disappears.
A dog attack can leave you hurt, frightened, and facing unexpected bills. You do not have to take on the owner and their insurer alone. With the right legal team, you can hold the careless owner accountable and pursue compensation for your losses.
For more than 25 years, we have helped over 10,000 injured clients pursue claims against insurers. An Edinburg dog bite lawyer on our team will fight for you. Call the Law Champ for a free consultation.
