Melissa Dog Bite Lawyer

Getting bitten by a dog can result in more than a minor lacerations. Canines can cause devastating harm, especially when they bite a small child. In addition to physical injuries, these attacks can result in long-term mental anguish.

If you or your loved one was bitten by an aggressive canine, you may benefit from speaking with a knowledgeable local attorney. A Melissa dog bite lawyer could review your case and help you put together a claim against the negligent pet owner.

What are the Dog Bite Laws in Melissa?

Texas does not have a specific statute that relates to a pet owner’s civil liability for dog bites like many other states have. Instead, case law sets forth that a claimant must prove that the dog owner knew the animal had acted aggressively before or had previously bitten another person. Strict liability may attach to a dog owner that knows of a canine’s predisposition for aggression but still fails to prevent an attack.

A claimant and their local attorney must prove that the dog owner was negligent in failing to prevent the bite. This requires a showing that the pet owner breached their duty of care to control their dog, such as by not keeping the dog leashed, and that this breach led to the injury.

What are Common Injuries from Canine Bites?

Injuries from a dog bite may be minor, or they can be very serious, especially when they involve children. Some dog attacks may even be fatal. In some cases, injuries from a canine bite can require surgery or ongoing treatment, which can quickly become expensive.

Common dog bite injuries include, but are not limited to:

• Eye and face injuries
• Broken bones
• Punctures in the skin and muscle
• Crushing injuries
• Lacerations
• Head and brain trauma
• Infections
• Rabies

These physical injuries can lead to expensive medical treatment, but may also cause great psychological harm.

Mental Impact of a Dog Attack

Physical scars are not the only ones a person may suffer from a dog attack. Mental anguish can be just as or more harmful to a person than the physical damage. This may include:

• Post-traumatic stress
• Insomnia
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• New fear of dogs
• Depression and anxiety

Courts recognize that these types of harm have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. A compassionate Melissa lawyer could consider these types of harm when calculating damages in a dog bite claim.

Financial Compensation After a Dog Bite

A successful dog bite lawsuit may result in substantial financial compensation for the injured claimant. Damages can account for both economic and non-economic losses, including:

• Past and future medical bills
• Costs of rehabilitation and therapy services
• Lost income or lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Wrongful death

These damages may be able to help a claimant and their family put their lives back together after a devastating canine attack.

Speak with a Melissa Dog Bite Attorney Today

Pet owners are required to control their dogs, especially when the animal has a history of aggressive behavior. If you or a loved one were harmed by another’s dog, you could be eligible for financial compensation.

Contact a Melissa dog bite lawyer for help moving forward with your case. Schedule a free consultation today.