Although they can be cute and cuddly, dogs can inflict severe damage if they attack or bite a person. Fortunately, most dogs are nonaggressive and want to make friends with humans. However, dangerous dogs do live in and around Houston. Learning about dog bite laws in Texas can help you or a family member find a legal remedy if an unprovoked attack occurs.
As you may already know, dog bite victims can pursue economic damages to help with the expenses associated with an attack. These damages typically cover medical care costs and can replace wages lost due to missed work. In many cases, victims may also obtain noneconomic damages, which are commonly known as pain and suffering damages, as well. Common examples include the following:
- Emotional or mental anguish
- Disfigurement or severe scarring
- Physical pain and suffering
- Damage to the victim’s quality or enjoyment of life
When dog bites harm someone close to you, you may be eligible to seek non-economic damages for loss of consortium. For this to be an option, your loved one must have suffered injuries so severe that they interfere with your relationship. For example, if your spouse suffers a serious dog attack and can no longer maintain a sexual relationship with you, loss of consortium damages might apply.
If an animal attack affects anyone in your family, it is wise to act quickly. In Texas, victims have only two years in which to file an injury claim involving dog bites. The faster you act, the quicker you can acquire the compensation you need to move forward with your life.