A McAllen dog bite lawyer helps people bitten by a dog hold the dog owner responsible and recover for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and emotional trauma. The Lopez Law Group represents dog bite victims in McAllen, Weslaco and across the Rio Grande Valley, in English and Spanish. As a personal injury law firm, we work on contingency, so you pay no attorney's fee and no case expenses unless we recover for you. Contact us for a free consultation.
A McAllen dog bite lawyer helps people bitten by a dog hold the dog owner responsible and recover for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and emotional trauma. The Lopez Law Group represents dog bite victims in McAllen, Weslaco and across the Rio Grande Valley, in English and Spanish. Phone: (956) 968-7800.
Texas dog bite law and when the owner is liable
Texas does not have a strict "one bite free" pass, but it comes close. Under Texas dog bite laws, a dog owner can be held liable when the owner knew or should have known the dog had aggressive behavior or a tendency to bite and failed to control it. An owner can also be liable for negligence, such as letting a dog off a leash where a leash law applies. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so a dog bite victim can still recover as long as the victim is not more than 50 percent at fault. An experienced McAllen dog bite attorney gathers the proof of what the owner knew, prior incidents, complaints to animal control and warnings from neighbors.
Common dog bite injuries
A dog attack causes more than a wound. Common dog bite injuries include deep puncture wounds, torn muscle and nerve damage, broken bones, infection, and scarring that needs surgery. Dog bites can cause lasting psychological trauma, especially for a child, and the emotional distress caused by the dog is a real part of the claim. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that a large number of people are injured by a dog each year, and children are bitten most often. A dog bite injury lawyer makes sure both the physical and the emotional effects of a dog bite are documented, because a bite caused by the dog is not only skin deep.
Understanding why dogs bite and who is at risk
Understanding why dogs bite helps prove the owner's fault. Dogs bite out of fear, guarding of food or territory, pain, or a history of aggressive behavior the owner ignored. When a dog may have shown that behavior before and the owner did nothing, that is the heart of a Texas dog bite lawsuit. Dog bites in Texas fall hardest on children and delivery workers, and a McAllen personal injury lawyer uses that pattern of dog bite incidents to show the owner knew the risk. Victims of dog bites are often family friends or neighbors, which makes people hesitate to file, but a claim is against the insurance, not the friendship.
Steps to take after a dog bite in McAllen
What you do after a dog bite protects your health and your claim:
- Seek medical attention right away, because bites carry a high infection risk
- Report the bite to local animal control so there is an official record
- Get the dog owner's name, address and any insurance information
- Photograph the injury and the location where the dog bite in McAllen happened
- Identify witnesses
These steps make a dog bite case far easier to prove and let you focus on your recovery.
Who pays and what you can recover
In most Texas dog bite cases the owner's homeowner or renter insurance covers the claim, which is why insurance companies get involved and push to pay less. A dog bite victim may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages:
- Compensation for medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages and lost earning ability
- Pain and suffering and emotional trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
How much a dog bite claim is worth depends on the severity of the bite injury and the evidence, so no honest lawyer quotes an average settlement before reviewing the case. Anyone injured by a dog may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, and our job is to prove the full value and get you fair compensation and the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
The deadline to file a dog bite claim in Texas
In most cases you have two years from the date of the bite to file a personal injury lawsuit under Texas law and Section 16.003. A dog bite claim filed after that can be blocked. Because evidence of the dog's history fades, contact a trusted McAllen dog bite lawyer soon after the attack.
How our McAllen dog bite attorneys handle your case
The legal process gets the same care whether your case settles or goes to court. It starts with a free consultation where we explain your legal rights in plain words. We investigate the dog's history, pull animal control records, gather the medical records, document the emotional distress, and file an injury claim with a full demand against the owner's insurer. When there is no fair offer, we file a lawsuit. That is how an experienced dog bite lawyer moves a claim from a low first offer to a fair result while advocating for your rights. For any other injury, our McAllen personal injury attorney page covers the other personal injury cases.
Why McAllen and Weslaco dog bite victims choose The Lopez Law Group
We are a bilingual personal injury law firm with roots in Hidalgo County and offices serving McAllen and Weslaco. You get an experienced McAllen dog bite lawyer, direct access to attorney Fernando J. Lopez, and a firm that has represented more than 2,500 clients over 18 years. We work only on contingency, so you never pay unless we recover money for you, and Spanish-speaking families get everything in their language. You pay no attorney's fee and no case expenses unless we recover for you, and the consultation is free.
Frequently asked questions on Dog Bite Lawyer McAllen
How much does a dog bite attorney cost?
Personal injury cases in Texas are handled on a contingency fee. The attorney's fee is a share of the recovery, agreed in writing before the case begins. You pay no attorney's fee and no case expenses unless we recover for you. The exact percentage is stated in the written agreement you sign.
Is it worth suing for a dog bite?
For a serious bite, yes. Medical bills, scarring and emotional trauma add up, and the owner's insurance is meant to cover exactly this. A dog bite lawyer can tell you whether your case is worth pursuing after a free evaluation.
Can I sue for a dog bite in Texas?
Yes. If the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, or was negligent in controlling it, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit. A McAllen dog bite attorney gathers the evidence of what the owner knew.
What is the average settlement for a dog bite in Texas?
There is no reliable average. A dog bite settlement depends on the severity of the injury, the scarring, the emotional impact and the insurance available. Any figure quoted before a lawyer reviews your records is a guess.
Contact a McAllen dog bite lawyer today
If you or your child was the victim of a dog attack in McAllen, Weslaco or anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley, contact our Mcallen dog bite team and speak with a dog bite attorney in McAllen for a free consultation. We handle dog bite cases in McAllen and know how the owner's insurer values them. You pay no attorney's fee and no case expenses unless we recover for you. The attorney responsible for the content of this page is Fernando J. Lopez. Our primary office is in Weslaco, Texas.
Resources and Where to Find Us
Follow The Lopez Law Group
Case updates, Texas injury law explained in English and Spanish, and answers to the questions people ask before they hire a lawyer.
The Lopez Law Group, PLLC — 2611 N Texas Blvd #1, Weslaco, TX 78599 · (956) 968-7800 · Serving McAllen, Weslaco, Brownsville, Edinburg and the Rio Grande Valley. Hablamos español.
