How To Protect Your Rights If Bitten By A Dog

To make a legal claim for injuries resulting from a dog bite you must prove:

1. The defendant owned a dog;

2. The dog bit or attacked you;

3. At the time of the bite you were at a public place or lawfully at a private place;

4. The dog bite caused you to suffer injury, damage, loss or harm;

5. The owner knew or should have known the dog might be vicious; and

6. The owner was negligent in protecting others from the dog.


You must also show you were not at fault yourself for the injuries. Some ways you could be responsible are:

1. Touching the dog;

2. Pulling the dog's chain or an object in the dog's mouth; or

3. Taunting the dog;


If the conditions for liability are met, you can get money for some or all of the following things:


1. Past medical treatment;

2. Future medical treatment, such as scar reduction;

3. Loss of earnings; and

4. Property damage, such as torn clothing and broken glasses.


Steps to take to protect your rights after a dog bite:

1. Get the name and address and telephone number of the owner of the dog.

2. Get the name, address and telephone number of any potential witness. (You may have to return to the accident scene, and knock on the doors of nearby homes and businesses. You also should revisit the scene of the accident several times at the same time at which the accident took place, because people may have a habit of going there as part of their daily routine.)

3. Take photos of all of your wounds, bruises and bloody clothing.

4. If possible, obtain insurance information from the dog owner.


There are several ways you can lose your rights. Here are some rules to follow :

1. Do not sign anything presented by an insurance company, the owner of the dog, the landlord or other owner of the property where the attack took place. Do not make a report for any insurance company, dog owner, landlord or other property owner.

2. Contact an Attorney. You must file a court case within a certain period of time after an incident or you will lose your rights to do so. Call a lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will help get evidence and monitor your medical treatment and your attorney will deal with the insurance company to make sure you get the full compensation you deserve.

Kraft & Associates

2777 Stemmons Freeway
Suite 1300
Dallas, Texas 75207

Dallas: (214) 999-9999
Fort Worth: (817) 999-9999
Toll Free: (800) 989-9999
FAX: (214) 637-2118
E-mail: info@kraftlaw.com

Please direct general business inquiries to:
Ms. Nita Maki, Office Administrator
nmaki@kraftlaw.com