Abilene Dog Bite Lawyers

Compassionate Legal Advocacy for Dog Attack Victims

If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Dog attack injuries can be severe, resulting in disfigurement, infection, and other complications. Our Abilene dog bite attorneys at Hanna Allen, PLLC are dedicated to helping dog bite victims and their families fight for the justice and compensation they need to recover from injury.

Call (432) 220-2649 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation with our team.

What to Do After a Dog Bite

After a dog bite, you must take certain steps to protect your health and your legal rights. You should consider the following:

• Get to safety: If you are able, try to get yourself and any others to a safe place away from the dog. If the dog is not on a leash or behind a fence, try to put something between you and the dog, such as a backpack or a purse.
• Seek medical attention: Dog bites can be extremely dangerous and can lead to severe infections, including rabies. Even if your wounds do not seem that bad, you should still see a medical professional as soon as possible. They will be able to clean the wound and will likely recommend a rabies shot, as well. Additionally, the medical report will serve as important evidence if you choose to file a claim for compensation.
• Identify the dog and the dog owner: You should obtain the name and contact information of the dog owner, as well as the dog's breed, age, and any other information you can obtain. If the dog has an owner, it is possible that the owner has homeowner's insurance that will cover your damages.
• Document the scene: If you are able, take pictures of the scene of the incident. This may include taking pictures of the dog, the dog's tags, the dog's owner, the dog owner's property, and your injuries.
• Identify any witnesses: If there were any witnesses to the dog bite, you should try to get their names and contact information, as well. Your attorney may be able to use their testimony to help prove your case.
• Report the incident: You should report the dog bite to the local animal control agency or police department. They will be able to launch an investigation into the incident and will be able to determine if the dog has a history of violent behavior.

Who is Liable for a Dog Bite?

In many states, including Texas, a dog owner is strictly liable for all injuries and damages that their dog causes. However, Texas is an exception to this rule. In Texas, a dog owner is only liable for a dog bite if the victim can prove that the dog's owner knew or should have known that the dog had "dangerous propensities."

According to Texas law, a dog owner is considered to know that their dog has dangerous propensities if:

• The dog has previously bitten someone
• The dog has acted aggressively towards someone
• The dog has been trained to fight
• The dog is a known dangerous breed

However, this does not mean that you are unable to recover compensation if you were bitten by a dog that had no previous history of aggression. Our attorneys can review the facts of your case and help you determine if you have a valid claim.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Dog Bite Lawsuit?

If you were bitten by a dog, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages

While there is no way to reverse the physical and emotional trauma that a dog bite can cause, a successful personal injury claim can help you recover the compensation you need to move forward. Our firm can help you fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.

How Our Team Can Help You

At Hanna Law Office, PLLC, our Abilene dog bite attorneys are dedicated to helping dog bite victims and their families recover the compensation they need to move forward. We offer compassionate, personalized legal services and will work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. When you choose our firm, you can rely on us to provide the strong legal advocacy you deserve.

Contact our Abilene dog bite lawyers today at (432) 220-2649 to learn more about how we can help you.