A dog attack on April 26, 2017 seriously injured a young boy in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. Animal Services personnel were able to secure the dog after the attack, which resulted in the boy suffering bites on his face and back and bleeding profusely. It was not clear at the time of this writing whether or not any charges would be filed against the owner of the animal.
What Happens When a Dog Attack Occurs?
If you or someone close to you is ever the victim of a dog attack, it’s very important you realize that the owner of the dog has the responsibility to restrain the pet. However, owners are often negligent in providing the proper training and terrible incidents like the one mentioned above can happen. You need to talk to an attorney as soon as possible so that you completely understand your rights.
You might be able to file a premises liability lawsuit against the dog’s owner. You will need to get as much information as possible regarding the owner, such as his or her name, address and phone number. You’ll also need to get your medical records as they pertain to the attack, pictures of the bites, and any reports you can from either the police or Animal Control. If there were any witnesses, get their statements as well.
What you should never do, however, is try to negotiate any type of settlement on your own. This can be a very complex area of the law, and if you make a mistake it could cost you thousands of dollars. If you accept a “low-ball” settlement offer, it might not even cover your medical bills.
Take that risk out of the equation by getting in touch with attorney Todd Durham. Give us a call at (214) 222-4000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
