Dog Bite Attorney in Galveston, TX
Dog owners in Galveston enjoy Lindale Dog Park and Menard Dog Park, and many people in the area regularly have positive interactions with dogs. However, dogs can attack unexpectedly, sometimes causing devastating injuries. If this happens to you, it’s vital to speak with a Galveston dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. A skilled attorney can help you understand your legal options and the Texas laws that apply to your case.
Representing Dog Bite Injury Claims in Galveston, TX
The team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates can provide compassionate and results-driven legal counsel when you must file a personal injury case against a dog owner. Your Galveston personal injury lawyer will be a crucial asset when it comes to establishing fault for the incident and recovering compensation for the damages you suffered. We’ve helped many past clients navigate complex cases, and we’re ready to leverage this experience on your behalf.
Each year in the US, nearly 13,000 Americans require hospitalization for dog bite injuries. About 1,000 attacks occur every day, and it is possible for any dog attack to result in life-changing harm. Our firm will review the details of the incident and explain applicable Texas laws. You may be eligible to claim compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you suffered, but you will need a skilled attorney on your side to navigate your case successfully.
Our firm approaches every personal injury case we accept with the goal of helping our client prove liability for the damages they suffered and to maximize their recovery as much as state law allows. When you hire our firm to represent you, you will have a dedicated legal advocate ready to answer questions, address concerns, and prepare you for each new phase of your proceedings.
Building a Dog Bite Case in Galveston
Texas upholds a “one bite” statute that applies to most dog attacks, which means a dog owner is not liable for the first time their pet bites someone. However, once the dog has any known history of aggression and/or has bitten someone in the past, the owner is strictly liable for any further harm their pet causes to anyone else. Alternatively, if a dog owner is negligent, they can be liable for the victim’s damages regardless of whether the dog has bitten someone in the past.
Your Galveston dog bite lawyer can help you determine which Texas statutes apply to your case, whether the dog owner is liable for negligence or strictly liable due to their dog’s past behavior, and what damages you are eligible to claim. Dog attacks may result in more than just bite-related injuries. Victims could fall and suffer head injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries. You need a lawyer who can ensure full compensation for the entire scope of injuries you suffered.
Dog bite cases can be contentious, so you need to hire a dog bite lawyer with proven experience handling these cases to ensure the greatest chance of success. Your attorney can determine which Texas statutes apply to your case and pursue compensation for the economic and non-economic damages resulting from the attack.
The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates can provide comprehensive legal support for all of the proceedings likely to follow a dog attack in Galveston. Our firm has secured many substantial case awards for past clients in Galveston and surrounding Texas communities. We are ready to apply our resources and experience to your dog bite injury claim. You have limited time to build your case, so reach out to our firm right away to learn more about our legal services.
FAQs About Dog Bite Injury in Galveston, TX
What Does Strict Liability Mean in a Dog Bite Case?
In a dog bite case, strict liability means the dog’s owner is strictly liable for any damages their pet causes. Texas upholds strict liability once a dog has bitten or otherwise injured a person. If they have not, the “one bite” rule applies. The first time a dog bites someone, the owner cannot be held liable. Your attorney can determine whether the one bite rule, the strict liability rule, or negligence applies to your case.
What Happens to a Dog After it Bites Someone in Galveston?
After a dog bites someone in Galveston, it must be placed in quarantine to medically examine it for rabies and other infectious diseases. Animal control authorities must also assess whether the dog poses any other threats to public safety. At the end of this quarantine period, the dog is usually returned to its owner, who will then need to follow specific rules to prevent the dog from attacking anyone else. If it does, the owner faces strict liability for resulting damages.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Dog Bite in Galveston?
The amount of compensation you can claim for a dog bite in Galveston depends on several factors. You may be eligible to claim compensation for all medical treatment costs for your injuries, any income you are unable to earn while you recover, and compensation for your pain and suffering. A Galveston dog bite lawyer can accurately calculate the full scope of damages you are eligible to claim.
How Is Pain and Suffering Compensation Calculated in a Dog Bite Case?
In a dog bite case, pain and suffering compensation is typically calculated on the overall severity of the victim’s injuries and whether they have suffered any permanent harm. For example, your attorney is likely to add the total of your economic damages and then multiply this amount by a factor that reflects the overall severity of any long-term or permanent harm the defendant caused.
Q: Why Should I Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Galveston?
A: You should hire a dog bite lawyer in Galveston to maximize your chance of success with your case. A skilled local attorney can help prove liability when the dog owner does not have one-bite protection and accurately calculate the full scope of your damages. Ultimately, you are more likely to succeed with your case and more likely to maximize your total compensation with an attorney representing you.
Contact Our Dog Bite Injury Lawyers
The team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates has years of proven experience handling complex personal injury cases for clients in Galveston and the surrounding areas. We know the various challenges you might encounter in the aftermath of a dog attack and how to overcome them. If you’re ready to learn how an experienced Galveston dog bite lawyer can help, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team.