Were you bitten by someone else’s dog in Corpus Christi, Texas? An experienced Corpus Christi dog bite lawyer can help you fight to hold the dog’s owner responsible for your damages. Contact the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C. at (361) 643-9200 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer who can help.
Our founding attorney has over 42 years of experience in personal injury law. We’ve successfully recovered over $300 million in compensation awards for injury victims like you.
If you, your child, or a loved one were bitten by a dog, we can help you understand your legal options.
Why Choose the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C. for Help After a Dog Bite Injury in Corpus Christi, TX?
For over four decades, our founding attorney at the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C. has been successfully fighting on behalf of injured clients. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars.
For our efforts, our Corpus Christi dog bite attorney has been honored to receive numerous awards and accolades, including:
- Super Lawyers
- National Top 100 civil attorneys
- America’s Top 100 high-stakes litigators
Our experienced Corpus Christi personal injury lawyer can help you identify all sources of compensation–and fight for every available dollar. Call us today for a free consultation.
Overview of Texas Dog Bite Injury Laws
Dog bite victims have the burden of proving the dog’s owner is liable for their damages. Dog owners aren’t automatically responsible for dog bite injuries in Texas.
Texas uses a cross between a “one bite law” and “strict liability law” in assessing liability for dog bite injuries.
Under Texas law, a dog’s owner is liable for a dog bite injury victim’s damages if the dog is known to be dangerous. So, if the dog has bitten in the past, strict liability theories apply. The law assumes that the dog’s owner knows the dog is dangerous, because the dog has bitten before.
If the dog has never bitten before, you must prove the dog was vicious to win a dog bite injury case.
To prove a dog’s owner was responsible, you must prove:
- The dog had shown vicious or dangerous propensities in the past
- The dog owner knew or should have known that the dog had dangerous tendencies
- The dog attacked and injured you
- You suffered damages
The scope of a dog owner’s responsibilities has been defined by Texas courts. Unlike other states, Texas doesn’t have a specific dog bite statute. Various legal theories may be relevant to your case.
Negligence and Texas Dog Bite Laws
A negligence claim could also apply to your dog bite injury claim. Everyone is responsible for their own negligence.
Someone is negligent when they:
- Owe you a duty of care
- Breach that duty of care
- Cause you to suffer some type of harm, so that you suffer damages
Dog owners have a legal responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent their dogs from harming others.
Dog owners may be legally liable for:
- Allowing their dogs to roam freely
- Failing to keep a dog on a leash in accordance with local leash laws
- Failing to adequately secure their dog on the premises
If you were bitten on someone else’s property, the property owner could also be liable.
Property owners in Texas have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for invited visitors and guests. If the owner knew the dog was on the property and posed a risk of harm, they may be liable under Texas premises liability laws.
How Much Is My Corpus Christi Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
Unfortunately, dog bites can leave victims struggling with severe injuries. It’s important to seek full compensation so you have the money to deal with all of your losses.
Key factors that will influence how much you can receive for your injuries include:
- The type of injuries sustained
- Whether you will suffer a permanent impairment or disfigurement
- Your total medical costs
- Your anticipated need for future medical care
- The value of any wages you’ve lost due to the injuries
- Projected future impacts on your earning capacity
- How the experience of the dog bite will impact your quality of life
Our Corpus Christi dog bite attorney will carefully assess your case to determine the extent of your losses. Every case is different. Contact us today to learn more about how much your case may be worth.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Corpus Christi, TX?
Dog bite victims can pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages–just like any other personal injury victim.
Under Texas law, you can receive compensation for:
- Medical bills and expenses, including ER visits, hospital stays, reconstructive surgeries, follow-up visits, and ongoing medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Mental health treatments
- Pain and suffering and physical discomfort
- Chronic pain
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
Our team understands the tactics insurance companies will use to deny, delay and undervalue claims. We also know exactly how to fight back. Contact us today to discuss your damages with an experienced attorney.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Corpus Christi Dog Bite Lawyer?
You can hire the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C. without worrying about any upfront financial costs. Like most law firms, we work on a contingency fee basis.
Your attorneys’ fees are a percentage of your settlement or verdict. That means you’ll never pay unless your attorney recovers compensation in your case. This allows injured victims to pursue a claim without added financial stress during recovery.
In addition, your lawyer may handle case-related expenses such as filing fees, expert costs, and investigation expenses as the case moves forward. These costs are typically reimbursed from the final recovery. This structure helps ensure that anyone, regardless of financial situation, has access to experienced legal representation.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for Provoking the Dog Bite in Texas?
Dog owners and their insurance companies often try to blame victims for provoking their dogs to bite.
Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence rules, you don’t automatically lose your right to damages. Instead, your damages are reduced in proportion to your share of fault. You do lose your right to damages if the owner can prove you were more than 50% responsible.
For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your compensation may be reduced by that same percentage. However, proving provocation is not always straightforward. Insurance companies may exaggerate or misinterpret what happened to reduce payouts.
An experienced attorney can help gather evidence, speak with witnesses, and challenge claims that you caused the attack. This can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Corpus Christi, TX
Dog bites can leave victims struggling with serious injuries. Infections can be life-threatening in the most severe cases.
At the Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C., we represent clients with all types of injuries, including:
- Deep puncture wounds and torn skin
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Amputations and other infection-related complications
- Sepsis and shock
- Catastrophic injuries
Our team is prepared to help you stand up to the insurance companies and fight for the money you need and deserve. To learn more about how we can help, call for a free consultation today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Texas?
Every state imposes deadlines for taking legal action after an injury. Under Texas personal injury laws, you have two years to file a lawsuit. This two-year period begins on the date the dog bit and attacked you.
If you miss the statutory deadline, you’ll lose the right to hold the dog’s owner accountable for your losses.
Dog bite victims don’t automatically receive compensation. Building a strong case for compensation can take time. If you were a victim, don’t wait another minute to seek legal advice. An experienced attorney can start investigating immediately to protect your right to damages.
Contact Our Corpus Christi Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Do you have questions about your legal rights and options after a dog bite? The Law Office of William J. Tinning, P.C. is here to help you understand your situation and what steps you can take next after an attack.
An experienced Corpus Christi dog bite attorney can review your case, explain your options, and help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to for your injuries, medical bills, and other losses. If you were bitten by a dog, contact us today to arrange a free consultation.