A friendly walk or visit with a neighbor’s pet can quickly turn tragic when a dog attacks. Victims often face not only severe injuries but also confusion about who is responsible, how to pay medical bills, and whether they can take legal action. At Daly & Black, P.C., our dog bite lawyers are here to protect your rights and guide you through every step of the recovery and claims process. We represent victims across the country who have suffered serious harm due to negligent dog owners and property managers.
If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog, don’t wait. Early legal intervention can make a critical difference in preserving evidence and maximizing your recovery.
Contact Daly & Black, P.C. now for a free consultation, our contingency fee policy means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
After a Dog Bite: What to Do Now
A dog attack is traumatic, and every moment after matters. Taking the right steps can protect both your health and your claim.
Get Medical Care and Document Your Injuries
Always seek immediate medical attention—even seemingly minor bites can lead to infection, nerve damage, or long-term complications. Request detailed records and take photos of your wounds, medical visits, and recovery progress.
Report the Incident
Notify animal control or local law enforcement as soon as possible. An official report helps establish accountability and prevents future attacks.
Preserve Evidence
Keep any damaged clothing, photograph the scene, and obtain contact details from witnesses or neighbors who saw the attack. Surveillance footage or veterinary records can also strengthen your case.
Who’s Liable for a Dog Bite?
Dog bite laws vary widely from state to state. Understanding who bears responsibility requires knowing how liability works in your jurisdiction.
Strict Liability vs. the “One-Bite” Rule
In strict liability states, a dog’s owner is automatically responsible for injuries their dog causes, regardless of prior behavior. Other states apply the “one-bite rule,” meaning the victim must show that the owner knew—or should have known—the dog was dangerous. Because these distinctions matter, our attorneys analyze state statutes, ordinances, and prior complaints to establish liability.
Negligence and Dangerous Dog Laws
Even if a state follows the one-bite rule, owners can still be held liable for negligence, such as failing to restrain a dog, violating leash laws, or ignoring warnings. We investigate whether the dog had prior aggression reports or whether the owner breached local safety ordinances.
Landlords, Property Managers, and Businesses
In some cases, third parties share liability—especially landlords who knew a tenant’s dog was dangerous, or businesses that failed to maintain safe premises.
Insurance Coverage and Compensation
Dog bites frequently trigger homeowners’ or renters’ insurance claims—but victims are often undervalued or denied fair compensation.
Homeowners and Renters Insurance
Most homeowners’ policies cover dog bites, though some exclude specific breeds or off-premises attacks. Our lawyers analyze coverage and pursue all available sources of recovery.
What Damages Can Be Claimed After a Dog Bite
When pursuing a dog bite claim, victims may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. These categories cover the full spectrum of harm—physical, financial, and emotional—that a bite can cause.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the tangible, financial losses that can be directly measured and proven. These include emergency room visits, hospitalization, and ongoing treatment such as physical therapy or reconstructive surgery. Victims may also recover the cost of medications, assistive devices, and any out-of-pocket expenses related to recovery. If your injuries prevent you from working, lost wages and diminished future earning capacity can be claimed.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the intangible harm that follows a traumatic dog attack. Beyond the visible wounds, victims often endure emotional distress, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), chronic pain, anxiety, or fear of animals. These damages also cover loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, or permanent scarring that affects confidence and quality of life. Our lawyers work with mental health experts and physicians to document how the attack has changed your day-to-day life, ensuring these effects are fully represented in your claim.
Common Dog Bite Injuries We Handle
Every case is unique, but certain injuries occur frequently in serious attacks:
- Puncture wounds and crush injuries
- Severe bleeding or infections such as MRSA or tetanus
- Nerve damage leading to loss of sensation or function
- Facial lacerations, disfigurement, and permanent scarring
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Psychological trauma and fear of dogs
Dog Bites Involving Children
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children account for roughly half of all dog bite injuries requiring medical attention in the United States, making them the most frequent victims of dog attacks. Their smaller size and natural curiosity make them particularly vulnerable to facial wounds and emotional trauma.
Liability and Supervision
Cases involving minors often raise unique legal questions, such as whether a child was properly supervised or whether the dog had known aggressive tendencies. Our attorneys understand how to counter provocation defenses and advocate for full recovery.
Long-Term Impacts
Beyond physical injuries, child victims may need therapy for trauma or surgeries as they grow. We work closely with medical experts to ensure settlements account for future medical and psychological care.
Statutes of Limitations: Time Is Critical
Most states require victims to file dog bite claims within one to three years of the incident, but exact timelines vary by jurisdiction.
Texas Statute of Limitations
Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, dog bite victims generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline typically means losing the right to recover compensation, regardless of how strong the case is. Because Texas follows a modified comparative negligence system, early investigation and documentation are crucial to avoid disputes over shared fault.
Louisiana Statute of Limitations
In Louisiana, the filing window — known as the prescriptive period — is two years from the date of the bite, per Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492. While still shorter than in many other jurisdictions, this period allows victims some time to recover and seek counsel. However, missing this two-year deadline can bar recovery entirely. Exceptions may apply for minors or cases involving delayed discovery of injury, but those are rare and strictly interpreted by the courts.
Why Timing Matters
Because evidence fades quickly and deadlines differ by state, contacting Daly & Black as soon as possible ensures that your rights are protected. Our attorneys verify your jurisdiction’s rules, secure vital evidence, and file your claim within the statutory timeframe to preserve your opportunity for full compensation.
How a Dog Bite Lawyer Helps
Recovering after a dog bite is more than medical—it’s financial, emotional, and legal. Our lawyers handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on healing.
Investigating Liability
We collect medical records, witness statements, police reports, and prior complaint data to build a clear case.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
We push back against insurers who undervalue claims or deny coverage, ensuring your injuries and suffering are fully recognized.
Maximizing Compensation
We work with medical experts, reconstructive surgeons, and economists to document your full losses and secure the best possible outcome.
Why Choose Daly & Black, P.C.
When you’ve been injured by a dog, you need a firm that’s trial-tested, compassionate, and relentless.
Proven Track Record
With years of experience handling complex personal injury and dog bite cases, we’ve secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our reputation speaks for itself: as multiple-time Insurance Litigation Firm of the Year nominees and previous winner, we’ve earned recognition across the legal community for exceptional advocacy and client results.
This distinction reflects both our skill in high-stakes litigation and our dedication to restoring the lives of injured clients. Every new case is another opportunity to pursue justice with the same intensity and integrity that defines Daly & Black’s legacy of success.
Trial-Ready Representation
Our attorneys prepare every case as though it will go before a jury. From the initial investigation to expert witness coordination, this readiness often compels insurers to offer stronger settlements. When necessary, we litigate aggressively to ensure clients receive full and fair compensation.
ALL IN. ALL THE TIME.
This isn’t just a motto—it defines how we operate. Every attorney, paralegal, and investigator at Daly & Black commits to total client advocacy, maintaining open communication, transparent updates, and relentless pursuit of justice until your case is resolved.
Free Case Review
If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog, contact Daly & Black, P.C. today for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This ensures that every victim can access experienced legal representation without upfront costs or financial risk.
FAQ
Do I need a lawyer for a minor dog bite?
Even small bites can lead to infection or nerve damage. A lawyer ensures medical costs and emotional suffering are fully considered.
Who pays for a dog bite injury?
Usually the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance covers claims, but policies and exclusions vary.
What if the dog belonged to a friend or family member?
You can still file a claim—insurance pays compensation, not the individual directly.
What if the owner says I provoked the dog?
States differ on how provocation impacts liability. Our lawyers investigate evidence to counter these defenses.
Speak With A Dog BIte Lawyer Today
Dog bite cases can be legally complex and emotionally exhausting. You don’t have to face them alone. Daly & Black, P.C. will take on the insurance companies and negligent owners so you can focus on recovery.
Free Consultation — No Fees Unless We Win. Call today or fill out our secure online form to speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer.