Dog Bites
Dog Bite Attorney in El Paso
Holding Dog Owners Responsible for Your Injuries
Being attacked by a dog is a terrifying and confusing experience. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States every year, and over 800,000 of those result in the need for medical care or assistance. One of the most common scenarios includes a dog escaping its home and wandering loose through the streets. This happens every day.
If you’re attacked, seek legal assistance for your injuries. Our El Paso dog bite attorneys will help you with your case. Call (915) 532-2333 today to schedule a phone consultation.
El Paso Dog Bite Cases
America is dog country. We love our dogs! According to data, about 36% of households own dogs, that is more than about 45,000,000 households. Despite the domestication of our beloved canine friends, they are known to sometimes lash out or act in unpredictable ways. The result is often a serious injury, causing great harm and pain to its victim, whether it’s a child, elderly person, or someone walking down the street.
Dog bite cases fall under personal injury lawsuits and are filed in the state’s civil court system. The Texas statute of limitations gives a person two years to file the case before it is dismissed without being heard. If you have been attacked and injured by a dog, you may be able to seek damages from the owner through a personal injury lawsuit, but the suit needs to be filed within this two-year window.
The Law Offices of Rios, Parada & Seañez PLLC has handled hundreds of dog bite cases. We have sought and won damages for countless innocent victims affected by dog attacks. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we understand the law and the best methods for seeking compensation for injuries suffered by you or your loved one.
Texas Law Regarding Dog Bites
Most dog bite cases are contingent upon establishing negligence on the part of the owner. In order to recover damages after a bite, Texas law requires that negligence is established, and one must prove the owner was aware of the dog’s aggression or failed to use reasonable care to prevent the dog from attacking. Damages from these injuries include pain and suffering, medical care, and other injuries suffered from the attack.
The Texas Supreme Court has adopted the “one bite rule.” This refers to the idea that in order to hold the owner responsible, the plaintiff must prove that the owner was aware of the dog’s aggressive temperament and/or failed to restrain or properly prevent the dog from escaping. If neither of these applies, the court may allow the suit to proceed under another legal principle. We will guide you through these complicated laws and find the best course of action for your circumstances.
Types of Damages
When seeking compensation for a dog bite incident, you are able to claim various types of damages. For example, if you are riding a bicycle and a dog chases you, knocks you down or causes you to crash into something, your injuries could correlate to the animal attack. Some of the most common damages sought in these cases include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
To get the compensation you deserve, contact our leading personal injury attorneys. Call (915) 532-2333 for a phone consultation.
Possible Medical Expenses
Dog bite injuries can result in significant and ongoing medical costs. From emergency treatment at the scene to long-term therapy, these expenses add up quickly. You don’t have to bear them alone. Below are common medical costs that may be recoverable in your personal injury claim.
- Emergency Room & Urgent Care: Initial wound cleaning, stitches, imaging, and evaluation immediately after the attack.
- Rabies Prophylaxis: A course of post-exposure rabies shots, which can run into thousands of dollars without insurance.
- Surgery & Reconstructive Procedures: Severe bites may require surgical repair of tendons, nerves, or blood vessels, and later reconstructive surgery.
- Hospitalization: Inpatient stays for serious infections, sepsis complications, or post-surgical monitoring.
- Wound Care & Follow-up Visits: Ongoing dressing changes, antibiotic treatment, and repeated check-ups to monitor healing.
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation: Sessions to restore mobility and strength in limbs or areas affected by nerve or tissue damage.
- Mental Health Counseling: Therapy to address PTSD, anxiety, or trauma that commonly follows a serious dog attack.
- Scar Revision & Cosmetic Treatment: Procedures to minimize permanent scarring on visible areas such as the face, neck, or hands.
- Prescription Medications: Antibiotics, pain management drugs, and any medications prescribed during recovery.
- Future Medical Care: Projected costs for anticipated treatments, follow-up surgeries, or long-term therapy needs.
What to Expect from Your First Consultation
As with all personal injury cases, The Law Offices of Rios, Parada & Seañez PLLC offers phone consultations for dog bite cases. Upon your scheduled consultation, we will listen to the details of your case and discuss the next steps. During this meeting, our dog attack lawyers will also discuss the following:
- An overview of how events unfolded
- Injuries sustained
- Review of medical records, if any
- Other damages or damaged property
- Potential witnesses
Why Choose Rios, Parada & Seañez?
Simply put: we understand Texas dog bite laws. Laws surrounding dog bites in Texas are more nuanced than many people realize. Recovering damages often requires proving the owner knew about the dog’s aggressive tendencies or failed to take reasonable precautions. Our attorneys know how to investigate, gather evidence, and establish negligence, even when the owner insists their dog was never aggressive before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Possibly, yes. While Texas follows the "one bite rule," which requires showing the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, you may still have a claim if the owner failed to use reasonable care to restrain the dog. For example, allowing a dog to roam loose or failing to use a leash in a public area could constitute negligence even if the dog had no prior bite history. Our attorneys will evaluate the full circumstances of your attack.
This is one of the most common reasons dog bite victims hesitate to take legal action, and it’s one of the most important reasons to speak with an attorney. In most cases, compensation for dog bite injuries is paid through the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, not directly out of their pocket. Pursuing a claim doesn't always mean suing someone you know personally; it often means holding their insurance company accountable.
Seek medical attention right away, even if the wound seems minor. Dog bites carry a serious risk of infection, and documentation of your injuries by a medical professional is critical to your case. Report the attack to El Paso Animal Services so an official record is created. Take photographs of your injuries, the location where the attack occurred, and the dog if possible. Then contact Rios, Parada & Seañez before speaking with the owner's insurance company.
Yes. Under Texas law, you may be able to recover damages for injuries caused by a dog even if you weren't bitten. If a dog chased you and caused you to fall, knocked you off a bicycle, or caused you to injure yourself while fleeing, those injuries may still be tied to the owner's negligence. Our attorneys handle all types of dog attack injuries, not just bites.
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Speak with a Dog Bite Lawyer in El Paso Today
If you’ve been attacked and hurt by a dog, give our dog bite lawyers a call right away. We will seek damages for your injuries and other damages sustained in the attack. Contact our personal injury lawyers in El Paso at (915) 532-2333 to schedule your phone consultation.