Can You Sue for a Dog Bite or Attack in Texas?

If you are injured by someone else’s dog in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation. This compensation often comes through the dog owner’s homeowners insurance, which typically covers incidents where the dog causes injury—even if it happens away from the owner’s home. For example, if you are attacked at a dog park, the owner’s homeowners coverage may still apply.

You do not actually have to be bitten to have a valid dog bite case. If a dog charges or attempts to attack you and you are injured while trying to get away, you may also be entitled to compensation. Texas law is fairly strict when it comes to dog bite incidents. If the dog had a prior history of aggression that the owner knew—or should have known about—the owner may be strictly liable under what is often called the “one bite rule.” In such cases, you would not be held contributorily at fault.

The main question then becomes the extent of your damages and what you may be compensated for. Many attorneys are not familiar with how to properly present dog bite claims. Unlike car accident cases or other injuries that are more objective, dog bite cases often involve significant emotional stress. Bites can leave scars, which require proper documentation and may qualify as physical disfigurement under Texas law. You could be entitled to compensation for past and future disfigurement, mental anguish, and past and future medical expenses resulting from the attack.

Having an experienced attorney is very important to ensure all available insurance coverage is identified and your claim is presented for its full value.