Dog bites can leave more than just physical scars—they often lead to emotional trauma, financial stress, and an overwhelming feeling of vulnerability. Victims may find themselves facing steep medical bills, missed time from work, and ongoing fear around animals that once felt familiar.
In some cases, children suffer the worst of these attacks, changing the way they see the world around them. No one should have to suffer through these painful consequences alone.
At Harrell & Paulson, we work with individuals and families in Kaufman, Heath, Forney, Terrell, and Rockwall, Texas, who are seeking justice after suffering a dog bite injury.
Our personal injury lawyers are committed to helping victims pursue compensation and move forward with confidence. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, knowing your legal options is the first step. Reach out to us today to discuss how we can help you.
Know Your Rights as a Dog Bite Victim in Texas
Texas law doesn't have a statewide "strict liability" statute for dog bites like some other states. Instead, it follows what’s commonly referred to as the “one bite rule.”
This can make it more challenging to hold a dog owner responsible, but it’s far from impossible. If the dog has previously shown aggressive behavior or bitten someone before, the owner can be held liable for failing to control the animal.
In addition, even if the dog has never bitten before, an owner can still be found negligent if they didn’t take reasonable steps to prevent the bite—such as securing their dog properly or warning others about their dog's tendencies.
If you're bitten, you have legal rights, and pursuing a claim is often the only way to cover the expenses related to your injury and hold the responsible party accountable.
Take Immediate Steps After a Dog Bite Injury
What you do immediately after a dog bite can significantly affect your health, recovery, and the strength of any legal claim you might pursue. Even if the injury doesn’t seem severe at first, the risk of infection, long-term scarring, and psychological effects should never be underestimated.
After a dog bite, take these important steps:
Seek medical care immediately: Even minor bites can become infected quickly. Medical records also serve as key documentation for your case.
Report the bite to local authorities: File a report with animal control or the local police department in your area. This creates an official record of the incident
Identify the dog and its owner: Try to gather the name and contact information of the dog owner and any witnesses at the scene.
Document your injuries: Take clear photos of the bite wounds, torn clothing, and the location where the incident occurred.
Avoid giving statements to insurance adjusters: Don’t speak with the dog owner’s insurance company until you’ve consulted with a lawyer.
Preserve all related expenses: Keep receipts and records of medical bills, prescriptions, missed workdays, and any mental health care you seek.
Taking these actions can help protect your health and lay the groundwork for a successful claim. Let your personal injury lawyers handle communication with the dog owner or their insurance—your focus should be on healing.
Determine Liability and Prove Negligence
To pursue compensation, you’ll need to prove that the dog owner or caretaker was negligent in their handling of the animal. In some cases, this is straightforward. In others, it requires a closer investigation into the dog’s history and the owner’s conduct.
Common factors that can help prove negligence include:
Prior aggressive behavior: If the dog had previously growled, snapped, or bitten someone, the owner may be held responsible for not taking preventive action.
Improper restraint or fencing: If the dog was off-leash or escaped a poorly maintained fence, this can point to carelessness.
No warning signs: Failing to post signs warning others of a dangerous dog on private property can also be considered negligent.
Violation of local ordinances: Many cities and counties have leash laws or breed-specific regulations. Violating these rules can support a legal claim.
Owner failed to intervene: If the owner witnessed the attack and did nothing to stop it, this may strengthen your case.
Establishing fault is essential, but it’s also just one part of the legal process. Experienced personal injury lawyers can help collect evidence, interview witnesses, and build a case that reflects the full scope of your damages.
Know What Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Dog bites can result in a wide range of losses—some immediate, others long-term. The value of your case depends on the severity of the injury, how it impacts your daily life, and whether permanent damage has occurred.
Victims may pursue compensation for the following damages:
Medical expenses: Including emergency care, hospital visits, surgery, antibiotics, and follow-up appointments.
Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may recover the income lost during your recovery period.
Future treatment costs: Some victims require plastic surgery, physical therapy, or long-term counseling after a bite.
Pain and suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the attack.
Scarring and disfigurement: Visible scars can lead to long-lasting psychological trauma and reduced quality of life.
Loss of earning capacity: In cases where victims can't return to their previous job due to lasting injuries.
Punitive damages: If the dog owner’s behavior was especially reckless, a court may award additional damages to punish that behavior.
Every case is different, and the total compensation available will vary based on individual circumstances. Our personal injury lawyers can assess your case and estimate what compensation may look like for you.
Common Defenses Dog Owners Might Use
If you’re pursuing a claim, it’s important to be prepared for common arguments that a dog owner—or their insurance company—might use to reduce or deny liability. These tactics can delay your case or weaken your ability to recover fair compensation if not properly addressed.
Be aware of these common defenses in dog bite claims:
The victim provoked the dog: Owners may claim you teased, hit, or threatened the dog, which led to the bite.
You were trespassing: If the incident occurred on private property, they might argue you had no legal right to be there.
The dog was protecting its owner: This argument may come up if the dog was acting in defense of someone else.
Assumption of risk: In some cases, they may say you willingly approached a known dangerous dog.
No knowledge of prior aggression: They may argue the dog had never shown signs of aggression before, which makes liability harder to prove under Texas law.
Skilled personal injury lawyers like us will anticipate these arguments and develop a strategy to respond. This includes gathering evidence that disproves these claims and shows you acted reasonably and legally during the incident.
Contact Our Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or someone in your family has been bitten by a dog, don’t wait to seek help. These injuries can cause lasting damage and emotional trauma, and you shouldn’t be left to deal with the aftermath on your own. Whether the attack happened in Kaufman, Heath, Forney, Terrell, or Rockwall, Texas, you deserve support and trusted guidance.
At Harrell & Paulson, we’re here to help you pursue compensation effectively. C. R. Harrell and David Paulson have experience representing dog bite victims across the region and are ready to help you build your case and move forward.
We’ll take the time to listen to your story, explain your legal options, and fight for the recovery you’re entitled to. Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward justice.
