Austin Dog Bite Attorneys

Our office recently represented a seven year old girl who was bitten by a pitbull. The insurance carrier attempted to settle immediately with the family and offered the family $10,000.00. The little girl only presented to the hospital once and did not have to stay over night. The family was unclear if the offer was reasonable. The quick answer is, “NO!”. Our office ended up settling the case for $89,000.00.

The following are things you should know if you or your family has been bitten by a dog:

1. Whether or not the dog has a history of attacking people, the owner is responsible is most situations.
2. The “one-free-bite” rule does not apply to all dogs and all situations. If an owner knew or should have known the dog had propensity to bite, the rule does not apply. Also the type or breed of the dog is very important.
3. Will there be future medical costs? Did the bite leave a scar? If so, it is important to see a plastic surgeon for costs on future scar revision. Future medical costs will help in negotiating. Insurance companies will not help you determine these costs.
4. What is the emotional damage? A dog bite victim may have suffered posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) following and attack. Seeking the assistance of a licensed therapist may be necessary.

Contact us for a free initial consultation. We are experienced dog bite attorneys.