Animal Attack Lawyer in Houston, TX

ANIMAL ATTACK/DOG BITE INJURY LAWYERS

Dogs attack approximately 5 million individuals a year in the United States. Practically half of those injured are children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. Roughly 800,000 Americans annually seek medical attention for injuries from dog attacks, and 386,000 require emergency room treatment. Around 16 people die annually after being attacked by a dog. The CDC's numbers do not consider the psychological trauma of experiencing an animal attack.

It is a simple fact of life that dogs bite. This includes any dog of any breed. A dog bite can be anything from a nip to a traumatic attack that leaves a serious injury. A serious injury suffered in a dog attack is cause to hold the dog's owner accountable, and for the dog attack victim to seek compensation for all medical costs, pain and suffering and other harm caused by the bite.

If you have sustained a severe injury or lost a loved one in an animal attack that happened in the Houston area or anywhere else in Texas, the personal injury lawyers at Dunk Law Firm, want to assist you.

SERIOUS INJURIES FROM DOG ATTACKS

A serious bite is not a playful nip or even a minor injury that bruises someone who came into contact with a dog at the wrong time. A serious dog attack is one that consists of biting and scratching that results in significant traumatic injury, such as deep cuts, tearing, fractures or more. A serious attack by a dog can also result in significant emotional and psychological injury.

According to dog bite statistics from the CDC, roughly 885,000 dog bite victims every year-- or 20 percent of all of those who are attacked by dogs-- require medical attention for their injuries.

The most common victims are:

• Children ages 5-9
• Elderly people
• Post letter carriers

Dogs usually bite an individual's arm, hand, leg, foot, head or neck, according to the CDC. Typical injuries in dog attacks include:

• Cuts, bruises and scratches
• Puncture wounds
• Tearing (avulsion)
• Dislocations
• Bone fractures
• Amputations
• Crushing (head/ skull injuries)

DogsBite.org, a nonprofit, public education website concerning dangerous dog breeds, reports that severe dog attacks can cause acute injuries that can require $250,000 to $1 million in specialized medical care.

The CDC specifies that about 27,000 dog bite victims every year undergo reconstructive surgery. This may include skin grafting, tissue expansion and scar diminishment. A victim may require a number of procedures over several years.

SEEKING COMPENSATION AFTER A DOG ATTACK

Dog bite victims may seek reimbursement to cover their:

• Past and future medical costs
• Lost income and decreased earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Psychological distress
• Other relevant losses

Claims can be made against the dog owner and, potentially, a third party if that party's negligence caused the injury.

People who have been seriously wounded by an attacking dog deserve compensation and should not be reluctant to seek it via civil legal action and contact a dog attack attorney-- it will not come out of a friend or neighbor's pocket. The compensation recovered in a dog bite claim almost always comes from the dog owner's insurance, such as homeowners' insurance or business liability insurance.

The Insurance Information Institute and State Farm Insurance report that dog attacks made up more than one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid in 2013 and resulted in more than $483 million in compensation for victims. The average settlement for dog attack claims was $27,862.

An experienced attorney can investigate your dog bite case to establish whether the dog's owner is responsible and determine the compensation you may be due for your injuries.

Many cases can be resolved through negotiations with the dog owner's insurance provider. If a proper settlement agreement can not be reached, we would be ready to seek appropriate compensation for you in court.

TAKING ACTION AFTER AN ATTACK

You can act to help yourself, a loved one or a friend that has been wounded by a dog bite. Below are some steps you should try to follow:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Any type of dog bite should be seen by a medical professional.
• Immediately report the injury to the police and obtain a copy of the police accident report.
• Get the name and contact information of the dog owner if possible.
• Obtain the name and contact information of any people that witnessed the attack.
• Photograph the animal that caused your injuries along with the location of the incident.
• Photograph any kind of visible injuries you have suffered as a result of the incident with the animal.
• Save any clothing that may have been damaged by the animal.
• Keep and, ideally, photograph any property damaged by the animal.
• Do not communicate with the owner of the dog or the owner's insurance company. If you accept any form of compensation, you might forgo your right to sue for additional damages.

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR DOG ATTACK LAWYERS

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog attack injury or other animal attack that caused serious injury or scarring, you have legal rights that deserve to be protected. Contact a Houston dog bite attorney at Dunk Law Firm, without delay and schedule a free consultation.

We will offer a team of legal professionals, medical professionals and investigators who are dedicated to your case. We can help you make informed decisions concerning your legal options. Our dog bite lawyers will strive to make sure you receive the compensation you are entitled to.