At Charles J. Argento & Associates, our, Houston dog bite attorney understands the difficult nature of pursuing damages from a friend or family member after a dog bite occurs in their home or on their property.
The reality is, 77% of all dog bites are perpetrated by the victim’s family or friend’s pet, and more than half of all dog bite attacks occur on the dog owner’s property.
The complication of pursuing a premises liability case against someone you know and love is that most people fear they will damage their personal relationships as a result, which is why it is important to partner with a Houston dog bite attorney who will do the work for you.
As your Houston dog bite lawyer, we will take the lead in pursuing the dog owner’s insurance provider for the financial recovery you deserve, so you are not placed in the uncomfortable position of confronting your friend or family member personally for damages.
Our Houston dog bite lawyer knows that these injuries often require lengthy medical care and that you should never have to pay for these expenses out of your pocket. Allow our experienced Houston dog attack law firm to pursue the negligent dog owner while you focus on healing.
How Often Do Dog Bites Occur in the United States?
Nearly five million dog bites occur each year throughout the United States.
That’s one dog bite every 75 seconds, each day.
Of that number of dog bites:
Over 1,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments every day
1 in 5 dog bites become infected
On average, two people die from rabies each year
27,000 people require reconstructive surgery for their injuries
What Are The Dog Bite Laws In The State of Texas?
The State of Texas requires specific evidence to be presented to achieve success in a Houston dog bite claim.
The dog owner:
Knew the dog has bitten another person before or acted has previously acted aggressively
Was negligent in preventing the bite or in controlling the dog
Negligence caused your injuries
Proving negligence is often difficult in dog bite cases, as the owner will attempt to blame the victim. Often, dog owners state the victim provoked the dog, which led to the bite or attack and their insurance company will follow suit using the same allegations while doing everything they can to deny or devalue your claim.
Do not let them diminish your injuries. Allow our Houston dog bite attorney to present the facts and aggressively pursue the financial compensation you and your family deserve.
What Are the Most Common Dog Bite Injuries?
The Centers for Disease Control lists common dog bite infections like rabies, tetanus, and MRSA as the most common dog bite infections, which can require long-term care.
One in five dog bites become infected, and some can lead to serious and even fatal conditions.
Additional Houston dog bite injuries will require immediate medical care can include:
Broken or crushed bones
Pierced or ripped skin
Torn muscles or ligaments
Puncture wounds
Nerve damage
Face and neck injuries
Mobility problems
Scarring and disfigurement
Each dog bite injury is unique and requires customized medical care.
At Charles J. Argento & Associates, our dog bite attorney in Houston will take the lead in pursuing your case, so you can visit each physician, rehabilitation, and therapy appointment without worrying about the costs.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Houston Dog Bite?
Dog bites can lead to extremely costly care, which is difficult to recover from.
Throughout the United States each year:
Dog bite insurance claim costs have doubled in the past 15 years
Dog bite-related hospital stays are roughly 50% higher than average injury stays
Dog bite victims suffer over one billion dollars in monetary losses
Homeowners’ insurance paid nearly $700 million in liability claims related to dog bite injuries
Dog bite-related hospital stays average over $18,000 per injury victim
What Type of Compensation Can I Pursue After My Houston Dog Bite Injury?
Since all dog bite injuries are unique, the compensation our Houston attorneys will pursue on our clients’ behalf will reflect their exact needs.
That can include:
Current and future medical expenses
Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Permanent injuries, including scarring, disfigurement, or lost mobility
Last year, 36 dog attacks resulted in fatalities, including the deaths of 15 children and 21 adults.
If you have lost a loved one to a dog bite or attack, you may have a wrongful death case against the owner. Contact our Houston dog bite attorney today at (713) 225-5050 to ensure your rights are protected and that the dog owner is held accountable for their negligence.
How Do Houston Dog Bites Affect Children Differently?
The rate of dog bites in children is highest between the ages of five and nine, and because of their small size and stature, children are often severely injured when bitten or attacked by a dog.
In the United States last year:
27% of all dog bite fatality victims were newborns, infants, and toddlers ages two and under
60% of dog bite fatality victims were aged 10 and under
80% of severe dog bites in children involve the head and neck
Since children are unable to defend themselves, even against the smallest types of dogs, their injuries are often so much more severe and require surgeries to avoid life-long scarring or permanent damage.
At Charles J. Argento, our dog bite lawyers in Houston will pursue the dog owner’s insurance provider for your child’s complete recovery, so you can focus on getting your child the care they need without the stress of the costs.
What Is The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Personal Injury Cases in Houston, Texas?
In the State of Texas, dog bite injury victims must file a personal injury claim within two years of the incident occurring. There are very few exceptions to this statute, which is why it is important to contact our Houston dog bite injury lawyer before speaking with the insurance company.
At Charles J. Argento & Associates, Our Law Firm Also Focuses on the Following Practice Areas:
Have You Been Bitten By A Dog? Call Our Houston Dog Bite Lawyers Now
If you, your child, or loved one has been bitten by a dog and suffered injuries, as a result, contact our Houston personal injury attorney, Charles J. Argento, to schedule a free consultation by calling (713) 225-5050 or by contacting us online to discuss your case today.
Charles J. Argento focuses his practice on serious personal injury, auto accidents, wrongful death, and product liability. With over 37+ years of experience, he is known for aggressive representation and securing high-value results for injured clients across Texas. He has earned numerous prestigious awards, including Super Lawyer, AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell for 22 consecutive years, and a 10/10 rating by Avvo.
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I reached out to Charles J. Argento & Associates when I was in an accident that was not my fault. I was injured and becoming quickly overwhelmed with the process...
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Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites In Houston, Texas
Just as they will with car and truck accidents, insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying your personal injury claim. With an experienced Houston dog bite attorney by your side, their ability to deny, devalue, or delay your financial recovery will decrease from the moment we file your claim. Alone, they will simply continue to avoid their responsibility, forcing victims to pay for their injuries out of pocket.
No. The insurance company that is representing the dog’s owner will call you immediately after their policyholder contacts them. During this call the insurance representative will manipulate your responses, so it appears you are taking responsibility for the injury occurring. This will let them off the hook for your financial recovery. All insurance company calls should route through our law office, so you only worry about getting the best treatment for your injuries.
That depends. Your medical costs and overall financial needs will require different levels of care, which are accompanied by different expenses. We will fully outline each Houston dog bite injury case, so no detail is left to chance during our pursuit of financial recovery.
Typically, no one is liable for a stray dog’s actions unless the dog escaped from an animal shelter, vet, or other location that was responsible for keeping the animal detained.
Like your injuries, the circumstances of the dog bite will be examined on their own merits. Not all dogs are euthanized after a dog bite occurs unless they have shown to be a danger to the public based on their habitual aggressive behavior.