Plano Dog Bite Lawyer

If you were bitten or attacked by a dog or another domesticated animal, you may be entitled to monetary compensation, and an experienced Plano dog bite lawyer may be able to assist you with obtaining it. In addition to a legal claim based on the One-Bite Rule in Texas, you may also have a legal claim against the animal’s owner based upon negligence statutes. Read on to learn more about how a professional Plano injury attorney can make a difference for you. En Español.

One-Bite Rule in Plano

Under Plano’s version of the One-Bite Rule, an individual bitten by a dog may be able to recover compensation from the owner of a dog if one of the following conditions is true: 

• The dog previously bit another individual or acted as though it wanted to bite someone
• The dog owner was aware of the dog’s prior vicious conduct

If neither of these conditions is met, however, the injured individual may not use the One-Bite Rule as a basis for recovering monetary compensation. In other words, a dog owner may not be liable for injuries caused by the dog unless the dog is vicious, or if the facts show that the dog owner had actual constructive knowledge of the dog’s vicious and dangerous proclivities.

Proving Negligence

All dog owners have a duty to exercise reasonable care when it comes to dogs, and a dog owner’s failure to act in a reasonable manner under the circumstances may result in civil liability. For someone injured by a dog bite to successfully recover compensation from a negligent handling claim, they must prove that: 

• The negligent party owned or possessed a dog
• The negligent party owed a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent the dog from injuring others
• The negligent party violated their duty of care
• The negligent party’s violation proximately resulted in injuries and/or damages to the individual

Know that a professional Plano dog bite lawyer can assist in gathering evidence and speaking to key witnesses in order to help prove these circumstances.

Negligence Per Se

Under Plano personal injury law, a dog’s owner is presumed to have acted in an unreasonable negligent manner by violating animal control law. For example, if a dog owner violates an animal control law by walking a dog without a leash or letting the dog roam around their neighborhood at large, the owner may be presumed negligent if the dog later bites or attacks someone. These laws apply regardless of whether or not the violator owns the dog.

Potential Defenses

In Plano, dog owners may allege that the individual harmed by the dog was trespassing, or that they otherwise contributed to the bite by provoking the dog. In these situations, the plaintiff may benefit from having a knowledgeable Plano dog bite lawyer on their side to advocate for them and advance their legal interests. 

Call a Qualified Plano Dog Bite Attorney

Dog bites can leave individuals with permanent scarring, abrasions, bite marks, broken bones, fractures, and even dangerous infections. Between medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and sometimes permanent damage, the effects of such an attack can be significant. Know that you do not have to face these circumstances alone. Reach out to a reliable Plano dog bite lawyer today to see what legal options for recovery may be available for you.