In Texas, dogs are one of the most popular household pets with 43% of households in Texas owning at least one dog. With their popularity as pets, it’s not uncommon to see dogs almost everywhere you go.
And if you’ve been involved in a dog attack, that thought can feel extremely threatening and scary.
Places that used to feel safe, such as the park or visiting friends, suddenly feel tense. Another dog attack could happen at any time.
The injuries you sustained from the attack leave you in pain and unable to go about your daily life like you once did. If your accident was severe, you may even need reconstruction surgery and rehabilitation.
You shouldn’t have to pay medical bills and recover from an injury that wasn’t your fault.
That’s why Biggs & Greenslade are ready to fight to bring you the justice and compensation you deserve. If you’re worried about paying medical bills, we cover your immediate expenses and pursue the maximum compensation to get you the care you need.
Feel confident going out again by scheduling a free consultation with our experienced animal injury lawyers today.
As one of the most experienced trial lawyers in Waco, TX, Kenneth Biggs has brought over 100 cases to a jury verdict if his case goes to trial.
Though many lawyers can reach a settlement, few have as much trial experience as Mr. Biggs.
John Greenslade brings extensive experience litigating for and against insurance companies, giving him a distinct advantage in your case.
With over 10 years of experience in personal injury law, he ensures you are treated fairly.
As a former chief prosecutor in the county court at Law of Rusk County, Annie Northcutt brings expertise and dedication to all her cases.
Since 2017, she has represented East Texans at every stage of the litigation and trial process.
Being bitten by a dog is a scary and traumatic experience. Try to remain calm and follow these steps:
It’s important to make contact with the dog’s owner to get their contact information and the dog’s vaccination records. Having the vaccination records informs the medical care you need.
Don’t delay in getting medical care. You can administer first aid at the scene of your accident and then visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Dogs carry harmful bacteria and diseases in their mouth, such as rabies and tetanus, so it’s essential to follow up at a medical facility.
It’s important to file a report with animal control if you’ve been bitten by an animal. This is an essential part in the legal process, and our team will guide you through the steps.
Providing as many details as possible about your dog bite accident will support your claim. You should keep detailed records of:
This evidence will establish your case and help you get the compensation you need to treat your injuries. With detailed records, you minimize the challenges to your testimony.
Sometimes, a dog bite case is not as straightforward as you think. With an experienced lawyer like Biggs & Greenslade on your side, we gather the necessary information to fight on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve.
In Texas, dog owners are held strictly liable for injuries when the owner knows about their dog’s aggressive or vicious tendencies, when a dog has previously bit someone, attempted to bite someone, or acted like it wanted to bite someone.
However, if the dog doesn’t have a history of bite attacks or aggressive behavior, or if the owner doesn’t have knowledge of these tendencies, the owner may not be held liable. This can make it difficult for your case to stick, even if you have clear evidence of a dog bite.
While this can complicate your case, Biggs & Greenslade will work to hold the dog owner responsible and get you the care you need.
If your injury was the first sign of aggression from the dog that bit you, the owner may not be held responsible for the harm due to the one-bite rule.
But that doesn’t mean they are completely free of liability.
A dog owner can still be held liable for the dog bite if they are negligent in handling their animal properly. If their dog causes harm and they didn’t take the necessary steps to prevent an accident, they can be responsible regardless of the dog’s history.
Some instances of negligence include not having the dog on a leash or letting it roam around a neighborhood.
In Waco, there are local ordinances to protect people from animal attacks. If pet owners don’t comply with these laws, you may have a way to recover your compensation.
These laws can extend to landlords as well since they are required to provide you with a safe place to live. If the landlord knows about an aggressive dog on property, they have a duty to protect you, usually by asking the owner to find a new place to live or relocating their animal.
If they don’t and it causes an accident, they can also be held liable for your injuries. Since the accident happened on their property, you may be able to file a premises liability claim to get compensated for your injuries.
At Biggs & Greenslade, we will carefully review the details of your case to determine negligence to get you the right compensation.
In addition to the initial puncture, serious injuries can arise from a dog bite attack. Depending on the severity, you may need significant medical care to fully recover. Some complications that can arise from a dog bite include:
When your injuries are severe, the last thing you should be doing is fighting a legal case alone. Biggs & Greenslade give you the space to recover by researching the details of your case and pursuing the necessary compensation for your injuries.
A dog bite injury can entitle you to several categories of damage claims, which include physical and non-physical suffering or losses.
When you need medical treatment for your dog bite injury, you’re entitled to reimbursement for those expenses. We ensure the final settlement covers any future medical expenses you need too.
Unfortunately, life and bills don’t stop because of an injury. But that doesn’t mean you should have to worry about those while you’re recovering. If you lost wages or need to pay bills, we make sure that’s included in the final settlement.
Your dog bite injury may cause you to be permanently injured or disfigured. Our team will include compensation for physical and emotional care in your final settlement.
Experiencing a dog bite can lead to pain and suffering that affects your daily life. We ensure you’re compensated for the non-tangible ways the dog bite affected your life.
Depending on your case, we may be able to pursue punitive damages in addition to personal injury damages.
Our dog bite accident attorneys will pursue every type of compensation you’re entitled to, so you can focus on your recovery.
Unfortunately, children can also be victims of dog bite attacks, which creates a traumatic and dangerous experience for them.
Children usually aren’t able to identify the warning signs of a dog attack or defend themselves in the event of an attack.
If your child was involved in a dog attack, you can pursue a personal injury claim on their behalf as their parent or guardian.
Biggs & Greenslade will pay to get your child the medical care they need right away. When we get to the final settlement, we ensure it covers the emotional damages and future care your child needs for their full recovery.
While dogs are the usual culprits of an animal attack, other animals can cause injury to you or your child too.
We can file claims against owners of many other animal types, too, including:
If you were injured in any way due to the aggression of an animal, schedule a consultation with our team to share the details of your case. You shouldn’t have to suffer due to the negligence of someone else.
If you've been the victim of a dog bite, you deserve an advocate who will fight for justice and the compensation you’re entitled to.
At Biggs & Greenslade, we provide free consultations to thoroughly understand the specifics of your case and guide you on the best path forward.
During your consultation, we'll evaluate your case with complete honesty and care. Our focus isn't on the number of clients we take on—we are committed to delivering the best possible results for you.
Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation with a dog bite accident attorney.