Dog Bite Attorney in El Paso

Holding Dog Owners Responsible for Your Injuries

Being attacked by a dog is a terrifying and confusing experience. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States every year, and over 800,000 of those result in the need for medical care or assistance. One of the most common scenarios includes a dog escaping its home and wandering loose through the streets. This happens every day.

If you’re attacked, seek legal assistance for your injuries. Our El Paso dog bite attorneys will help you with your case. Call (915) 532-2333 today to schedule a phone consultation.

El Paso Dog Bite Cases 

America is dog country. We love our dogs! According to data, about 36% of households own dogs, that is more than about 43,000 households. Many cities in America allow dogs in restaurants and bars and have special dog park facilities for dog owners to congregate. Despite the domestication of our beloved K9 friends, they are known to sometimes lash out or act in unpredictable ways. The result is often a serious injury, causing great harm and pain to its victim, whether it’s a child, elderly person, or someone walking down the street. 

Dog bite cases fall under personal injury lawsuits and are filed in the state’s civil court system. The Texas statute of limitations gives a person two years to file the case before it is dismissed without being heard. If you have been attacked and injured by a dog, you may be able to seek damages from the owner through a personal injury lawsuit, but the suit needs to be filed within this two-year window. 

The Law Offices of Rios, Parada & Seañez PLLC has handled hundreds of dog bite cases, sought, and won damages for innocent victims greatly affected by a dog attack. As experienced personal injury attorneys in El Paso, we understand the law and the best methods for seeking compensation for injuries suffered by you or your loved one. 

Liability in Regards to Dangerous Animal Attacks

Owning any kind of animal puts owners in a position of liability if the animal ever causes injury to someone. Here’s a fun fact: Texas allows exotic animals, and the state is actually home to a couple of thousand pet tigers. The chances of being attacked by a tiger on a Texas street, however, are slim to none when compared to the odds of being attacked by a dog. The most dangerous animal attacks happen when a domesticated dog escapes and goes for the unsuspecting jogger. Strict-liability statutes state that anybody who owns a dog should be responsible for any damages it causes, period! In some states, however, conditions apply, and the law can get complicated based on certain circumstances. 

Texas Law Regarding Dog Bites

Most dog bite cases are contingent upon establishing negligence on the part of the owner. In order to recover damages after a bite, Texas law requires that negligence is established, and one must prove the owner was aware of the dog’s aggression or failed to use reasonable care to prevent the dog from attacking. Damages from these injuries include pain and suffering, medical care, and other injuries suffered from the attack. For example, if you are riding a bicycle and a dog chases you, knocks you down or causes you to crash into something, your injuries could correlate to the animal attack.

The Texas Supreme Court adopted the view of the dog bite law contained in the Restatement of Torts section 509 and concluded it is intended to prove “negligence” or the “one bite rule.” This refers to the idea that in order to hold the owner responsible, the plaintiff must prove that the owner was aware of the dog’s aggressive temperament and/or failed to restrain or properly prevent the dog from escaping. If neither of these applies, the court may allow the suit to proceed under another legal principle. An experienced El Paso dog bite lawyer will guide you through these complicated laws and find the best course of action for your particular circumstance. 

Types of Damages 

When seeking compensation for a dog bite incident, you are able to claim various types of damages. Some of the most common damages sought in these cases include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement 
• Diminished quality of life

To get the compensation you deserve, contact our leading personal injury attorneys. Call (915) 532-2333 for a phone consultation.

What to Expect from Your First Consultation

As with all personal injury cases, The Law Offices of Rios, Parada & Seañez PLLC offers phone consultations for dog bite cases. Upon your scheduled consultation, we will listen to the details of your case and discuss the next steps. During this meeting, our dog attack lawyers will also discuss the following:

• An overview of how events unfolded
• Injuries sustained 
• Review of medical records, if any
• Other damages or damaged property
• Potential witnesses