Dog bite victims in Plano have the right to pursue compensation from the owner of the animal that attacked them. Whether the attack happened at a neighbor's home, on a public trail, or in a park, Texas law holds negligent owners financially responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
At The NMW Law Firm, we represent dog bite victims across Collin County, and our Plano dog bite lawyers take these cases as seriously as any catastrophic injury claim. Trusted by families and chosen for the care we provide, our firm handles the legal burden so you can recover. Call to schedule a free case review and discuss your next steps.
Get a Free ConsultationHow The NMW Law Firm Represents Dog Bite Injury Victims
Our Plano dog bite lawyers manage every phase of your claim, from the initial investigation through settlement or verdict. How each stage is handled directly affects your outcome, and our team is built to get that right.
Comprehensive Investigation
We start by identifying the animal, its owner, and any prior history of aggressive behavior. Our attorneys pull Collin County Animal Services records, contact witnesses, and obtain any available video from nearby homes or businesses.
Ring doorbells and security cameras are common, and footage often captures the attack itself or the dog's behavior leading up to it. We move quickly to recover it.
Detailed Medical Documentation
We coordinate with your medical providers to build a complete record of your treatment from the initial visit through any follow-up care and recovery.
Expert Witnesses
When injuries are severe, we work with qualified specialists to strengthen your claim. Plastic surgeons can evaluate permanent scarring and disfigurement, animal behavior specialists can assess the dog's history and temperament, and economists can calculate future lost earning capacity. Their professional opinions provide detailed, evidence-based support that strengthens the value of your case well beyond a standard demand letter.
Settlement Demands
Once your medical treatment stabilizes, we prepare a demand package for the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance carrier. The demand includes a detailed breakdown of your medical costs, income losses, and pain and suffering, supported by the evidence from our investigation.
Aggressive Litigation
If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we file suit. Dog bite cases in Collin County are heard in the district courts in McKinney, and our attorneys are prepared to present your case to a jury if negotiations stall. Collin County juries tend to take animal attack cases seriously, especially when children are involved or when the owner had reason to know the dog was dangerous.
Case Resolution
Winning your case is not the final step. After a settlement or verdict, our attorneys negotiate outstanding medical liens and health insurance subrogation claims to reduce the amounts owed from your recovery. Hospitals, surgeons, and insurance carriers often assert liens that can consume a significant portion of your settlement if left unchallenged.
We work to lower those balances so more money stays in your hands. Once liens are resolved, we distribute your settlement funds promptly so you are not left waiting weeks or months for money you need now.
Do not wait to get legal advice after a dog attack. Call The NMW Law Firm for a no-cost consultation.
Past Case Results
What Do I Need to Do After Being Bitten by a Dog?
What you do in the hours and days after a dog bite matters. Taking the right steps protects your health and strengthens your legal position:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Report the bite to Plano Animal Services or the Collin County Sheriff's Office
- Photograph your injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog if it is safe to do so
- Get the dog owner's name, address, and homeowner's insurance information
- Ask witnesses for their contact details and a brief description of what they saw
- Keep records of every medical visit, prescription, and missed workday
- Do not provide a recorded statement to the dog owner's insurance company
Your case starts with the evidence you collect now. Talk to our attorneys before speaking with any insurer.
How Does Texas Law Protect Dog Bite Accident Victims?
Texas does not have a single dog bite statute. Liability is determined by a combination of case law and negligence principles developed over decades of court decisions.
The One Bite Rule
Texas follows the "one bite rule." Under this doctrine, a dog owner can be held liable if they knew or should have known that their animal had a dangerous tendency. Prior aggressive behavior, previous bites, or a history of lunging at people all establish this knowledge.
Once the owner is on notice that the dog poses a risk, they are responsible for any injuries resulting from failing to control the animal. Under Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.042, owners of dogs declared dangerous face specific containment and registration requirements, and courts can order seizure of the animal when those requirements are not met.
Owners of declared dangerous dogs face specific containment and registration requirements. Violations can result in criminal penalties and heightened civil liability.
Negligence in Texas Dog Bites
Even without prior knowledge of the dog's aggressive tendencies, an owner can be liable under general negligence principles. Failing to leash the dog in a public area, leaving a gate open, or allowing the animal to roam freely in violation of local ordinances all support a negligence claim.
Plano's municipal code requires dogs to be leashed or confined on the owner's property. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, Texas applies a modified comparative fault standard. If the injured person is found to be more than 50% responsible for the incident, they cannot recover damages.
Insurance companies routinely argue that the victim provoked the animal or trespassed on private property. Our Plano dog bite lawyers counter those arguments with witness statements, medical evidence, and animal control records.
Negligence Per Se
When a dog owner violates a specific safety statute or local ordinance, that violation can serve as automatic evidence of negligence. In legal terms, this is called "negligence per se."
If Plano's leash law required the dog to be restrained and the owner let it roam freely, you do not need to separately prove that the owner acted unreasonably. The ordinance violation itself establishes the breach of duty.
Bystander Claims
Dog attacks can traumatize more than the person who was bitten. In some cases, a parent, spouse, or other close family member who witnesses the attack may have a separate claim for emotional distress.
Texas law may recognize these bystander claims when the witness is closely related to the victim, present during the incident, and suffers serious emotional harm from seeing the attack occur.
If a dog owner's negligence caused your injuries, our firm will hold them accountable. Reach out for a free case evaluation.
Hear From Our Clients
Who Is Liable for My Medical Bills and Income Losses?
The dog's owner is the most common defendant in a bite case. However, liability can extend beyond a single individual depending on the circumstances. Your claim may target:
- The dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
- A landlord who permitted a known dangerous dog on their property
- A property manager who failed to enforce pet policies or breed restrictions
- A dog walker, pet sitter, or kennel that was responsible for the animal at the time of the attack
- A business owner who allowed an unleashed dog on commercial premises
How Much Money Can I Get for a Dog Bite Injury in Texas?
Dog bite injuries generate both economic and non-economic damages. The compensation available in your case may include:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Surgical costs related to your injuries
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Prescription medications and medical devices
- Pain and physical suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological harm
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003, you have two years from the date of the attack to file a civil lawsuit. Missing that deadline eliminates your ability to pursue a claim in court.
For injuries to children, the statute may be tolled until the child turns 18, but you should not rely on that extension without legal guidance. Children are disproportionately affected by dog bites.
Injuries to young victims are often severe and can require ongoing care over several years. When a child suffers a catastrophic injury from a dog attack, the long-term costs of treatment, therapy, and potential disfigurement must be calculated carefully.
In the most tragic cases, a dog attack can result in death, particularly with young children or elderly victims. Our firm also handles wrongful death claims arising from fatal animal attacks in Plano and across North Texas.
Your medical bills should not be your burden when someone else's animal caused the attack. Call The NMW Law Firm now.
Dog Bites FAQ: Answers for Plano Injury Victims
What Should I Do If The Dog Owner Says Their Dog Has Never Bitten Anyone Before?
That claim does not eliminate their liability. Under Texas negligence law, an owner can be held responsible even without a prior bite history if they failed to control the animal or violated local leash laws. Our attorneys investigate animal control records independently because owners frequently understate or deny their dog's past behavior.
Can I File A Dog Bite Claim If I Was Attacked At A Plano Park Or On A Public Trail?
Yes. Plano requires dogs to be leashed in public parks and on trails unless the area is designated as an off-leash zone. If an unleashed or poorly controlled dog attacked you at a park, trail, or any public space, the owner likely violated a local ordinance, which strengthens your negligence claim.
What If I Was Bitten By A Dog While Visiting Someone's Home In Plano?
Yes. Being a guest at someone's home does not prevent you from pursuing compensation for a dog bite injury. Homeowner's insurance policies regularly cover these claims, meaning you pursue the policy rather than the dog owner personally.
Under Texas premises liability principles, property owners must warn guests of known dangers, including aggressive dogs, and take reasonable steps to control animals during visits. When a dog has been declared dangerous under Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.042, the owner faces specific containment requirements, and violations can support heightened civil liability.
Why Plano Families Choose The NMW Law Firm for Dog Bite Cases
Plano families choose The NMW Law Firm because we treat dog bite cases with the same preparation and attention as any serious injury claim. Insurance companies routinely minimize these cases, and our attorneys are built to counter that. Dog bite injuries can alter your quality of life for years, and the emotional toll, especially for children, cannot be reduced to a line item on an adjuster's spreadsheet.
The NMW Law Firm has recovered over $200 million in settlements for injury victims. Results may vary. Prior case outcomes do not guarantee similar results.
With more than 70 years of combined legal experience and over 3,000 resolved cases, our firm has the resources and track record to hold negligent dog owners and their insurers accountable.
We handle dog bite cases filed in the Collin County district courts in McKinney and in Plano Municipal Court when local ordinance violations are involved. Our attorneys know how Collin County juries respond to these cases, and we build every claim with that audience in mind.
Your injuries are real, your losses are real, and the financial consequences of someone else's negligence should not fall on you.
Get Answers From The NMW Law Firm About Your Plano Dog Bite Case
The insurance company's adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and delay the process. Our attorneys are trained to counter that at every stage. Call The NMW Law Firm for a free case review or complete our online contact form today.
At The NMW Law Firm, we take your dog bite case personally. We investigate aggressively, document thoroughly, and push for full accountability from the dog owner and their insurer.