Did a dog bite you after their owner failed to take your safety into account? This experience can be frightening. You may be able to pursue compensation by working with a dog bite attorney in Humble. However, this depends on how Texas dog bite injury laws apply to your case. The “one-bite rule” in Texas doesn’t mean the dog gets a free opportunity to bite people before they can sue. However, it does mean that the owner must have known, or should have known, the dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies before the attack.
As an attorney experienced with Texas’s one-bite rule, Ryan Nguyen is ready to help build a strong claim.
Texas’s “One-Bite Rule” Explained
In Texas, the “one-bite rule” means the dog owner may be liable for their dog’s behavior only if they knew, or should have known, the dog had dangerous or aggressive tendencies before the attack. This rule is not a formal statute. It is part of Texas common law and comes from the Marshall v. Ranne. Paul Marshall was injured by a hog that belonged to his neighbor, John Ranne. The court found that Ranne was responsible for the animal’s dangerous behavior because he had prior knowledge of the hog’s violent tendencies. We still use that legal precedent in animal attack injury cases today.
The “one-bite rule” differs from the strict liability rules in other states. In strict-liability states, owners can be held accountable.
How the One-Bite Rule Affects Liability & Negligence Claims
How does the “one-bite rule” affect liability and negligence in your personal injury claim?
The state of Texas allows negligence claims if the owner failed to use reasonable care in controlling the dog. The “one bite rule” addresses liability, while negligence is a separate legal theory. An attorney may also pursue negligence to strengthen the claim and potentially increase compensation.
Despite the name, the one-bite rule doesn’t require a dog to have bitten someone in the past to prove it was dangerous. Evidence like lunging, snapping, growling, or other aggressive behavior can also support liability.
This context is important for your personal injury claim because it demonstrates that Texas is not a pure strict-liability state for dog bites. A successful personal injury claim must prove either the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s dangerous behaviors or the owner’s negligence. Still, in many instances, a dog has typically shown aggressive tendencies beforehand. After an attack, working with an experienced dog bite attorney in Humble, like Ryan Nguyen, can help you build a personal injury claim.
How a Dog Bite Attorney in Humble Fights for Your Claim
As an experienced dog bite attorney in Humble, Ryan Nguyen is ready to fight for your personal injury claim. Ryan starts by investigating the attack quickly to preserve as much evidence as possible. He also proves liability under the Texas “one-bite rule.” But Ryan always takes it a step further, beyond liability, fighting to prove negligence. He may argue negligence when the owner fails to handle or restrain the dog. By arguing negligence, Ryan can expand the legal argument in your case.
Ryan will gather core evidence to demonstrate the true cost of a dog bite attack on your life, including:
- medical bills
- future treatment costs
- lost wages
- pain and suffering
- scarring
- emotional distress
If insurance refuses to offer a fair settlement, Ryan will take the case to court. With his determination and winning track record, he will do everything in his power to increase the odds of a fair outcome after you’re left hurting from a dog bite.
Bitten by a Dog? Speak to a Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Texas’s “one-bite rule” doesn’t let pet owners off the hook for their animal’s actions. Instead, it means that the pet owner is liable specifically when they should have known about their dog’s violent tendencies. As a passionate dog bite attorney in Humble, Ryan Nguyen wants to fight for fair compensation after someone has failed to keep their animal under control.
Ryan Nguyen wants to advocate for you after a dog bite. He works with Spanish- and Vietnamese-speaking clients and is committed to serving the entire Humble community. He works on a contingency fee basis, which means it costs nothing to work with him. Schedule a free consultation today.
