Harlingen Dog Bite Lawyer

Dogs are a source of joy for many, but not so much for a person who has been bitten, whether by a friend’s dog, a stray, or a neighbor’s dog that got loose.

Many people in Harlingen have dogs, and they must follow the state’s laws and the city’s local laws for keeping dogs, including dangerous dog laws.

If you or a loved one sustained a dog bite injury, contact Kenny Perez Law in Harlingen for a free case evaluation.

Harlingen Dog Parks

The city has several dog parks. Most of them require you to leash the dog as you enter and exit the park, and your dog is under voice control. No aggressive dogs are allowed in any dog park, and you must keep your dog in sight at all times. However, not everyone follows the rules. And not every dog is 100 percent reliable when it comes to biting.

A dog that has never been aggressive could become aggressive if it is not feeling well or feels threatened by another dog. This could cause a normally docile dog to bite. The city’s health department has an animal control division that is responsible for documenting dog bites and impounding dogs that bite.

You can also call them if you notice a stray dog or know of a vicious animal that tried to attack you. The department helps the Harlingen Police Department in its investigations regarding animal cruelty cases.

Kenny Perez Law handles several types of personal injury cases, including dog bite cases. We can help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve after a dog bite or in a case where an aggressive dog causes death to a loved one.

Texas Dog Bite Laws

In addition to state laws, Harlingen has local ordinances for keeping animals, including dogs. The city does have a leash law that it enforces. You could receive a fine if you allow your dog to run loose—and the fine is higher if your dog is loose and unaltered.

The city also requires that you tie a dog out on a tie that is no shorter than 10 feet if you do not have a fence. However, those who do tie their dogs out should not use a tie-out that is long enough to allow the dog to reach the front of the house. While an owner might think that their dog would never bite, no one can ever guarantee that.

Dog Bite Injuries in Harlingen

Dog bites can cause minimal damage or catastrophic damage, depending on the aggressiveness of the dog, the size of the dog, and the victim’s size and weight.

Injuries could range from minor scratches to catastrophic injuries and include:

• Bruises, bumps, scratches, and small gouges that do not require stitches.
• Large gouges and punctures that require medical attention.
• Face and eye injuries.
• Traumatic brain injuries if the dog knocks you down and you hit your head.
• Simple and compound fractures. In some cases, you could suffer crushed bones.
• Head, back, neck, shoulder, and spinal cord injuries if the dog causes you to fall.
• Infections from the wounds or secondary infections that manifest at a surgery site.
• Amputation if the dog destroys a limb or digit enough that a doctor cannot repair it, or if gangrene sets into a bite wound or surgical wound.
• Strains, sprains, torn muscles, pulled muscles, and other soft tissue injuries.
• Internal injuries from falling or a deep bite during an aggressive attack.

Dog Bite Injury FAQs

What Damages Can I Recover After a Dog Bite?

Depending on the severity of your dog bite injuries, you could recover medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, funeral expenses, replacement of personal property, pain and suffering, loss of companionship and/or consortium, loss of use of a body part and/or function, disfigurement, and excessive scarring.

How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Claim?

In most cases, you have up to two years to file a dog bite personal injury claim in Texas.

However, you should contact a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. You are more likely to remember pertinent facts, insurance companies won’t be able to use the excuse that you were not really hurt, and your attorney has time to file a claim with the insurance company and investigate, if needed. Additionally, insurance companies could give you as little as seven to fourteen days to file a claim.

Who is Responsible for My Injuries?

A dog’s owner is responsible for your injuries. You can file a claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance. If you do not know who owns a dog that bit you, try to take photos of the dog so that Animal Control can help identify the owner. The dog’s owner is responsible for all damages, not just medical expenses.

Why Should I Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer?

Dog bites can cause extensive injuries that could turn into long-term or permanent disabilities or excessive scarring. Insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible if they can’t outright deny a claim.

A dog bite attorney knows the tricks insurance companies pull to try to get out of paying, so it is better to allow the attorney to file your claim for you. Additionally, insurance companies know that if you have an attorney, that you are more likely to pursue a lawsuit if the insurance company does not make a fair and reasonable settlement offer.

Contact a Dedicated Harlingen Dog Bite Lawyer

Severe dog bite injuries could mean a significant recovery time, including time in the hospital or a recovery facility. You do not have to wait until you get out of the hospital or therapy to contact a Harlingen dog bite lawyer. If you cannot come to us, we can come to you or set up a video conference call.

Contact a Harlingen dog bite lawyer at Kenny Perez Law to schedule a free case evaluation by calling (956) 544-9292 today.

Kenny Perez Law

513 E Jackson Ave # 304,
Harlingen, TX 78550
(956) 659-9553

“Definitely a law firm that you can trust! Professional, reasonable, and knowledgeable. The legal team has great customer service skills. They were able to help and guide us every step of the way after our accident.” – Cynthia Barrera
Rating: 5/5
03/14/2021
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