Austin Dog Bite Lawyer

If someone else’s dog bit you or your child in Austin, you may have a claim. It usually depends on whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous or failed to control it, and it is usually paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not out of your neighbor’s pocket. I am a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer at the Law Office of Robert House in River Place, Austin, Texas 78730, and I help people hurt by dog bites and attacks in the Austin area.

Who This Page Is For

This page is for people in the Austin area who were hurt by a dog they did not own:

• Adults bitten while walking, running, or visiting someone’s home
• Parents of children who were bitten
• Delivery drivers and service workers bitten on the job
• Families after a rare fatal attack. See my wrongful death lawyer Austin page when a death is involved

Dog bite claims are a lot like other property-owner claims, such as a fall in a store. See my Austin slip and fall lawyer page for that side of premises law.

“I Don’t Want to Sue My Neighbor”

This is the worry I hear most, and it keeps a lot of people from calling. In most dog bite claims, the money comes from the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. That is what the coverage is for. I handle the claim with the insurance company, not with your neighbor or friend personally, and most of these claims resolve without anyone going to court.

How Liability Works in Texas

Texas does not automatically hold an owner responsible for every bite. A claim usually rests on one of two ideas:

• The owner knew the dog was dangerous: if the owner knew the dog had bitten or acted aggressively before, the owner can be held responsible for a later bite, often called the “one-bite” idea.
• The owner was careless: even without a history, an owner who failed to use reasonable care, such as letting the dog run loose, leaving a broken fence, or ignoring leash rules, can be responsible for the injuries that followed.

Which one fits depends on the facts, and I look at both.

Austin Leash and Bite-Reporting Rules

Austin generally requires dogs to be leashed or otherwise restrained when they are off the owner’s property. A loose dog can be important evidence that the owner was careless. Dog bites in Austin are generally reported to Austin Animal Services, which you can reach through 311, so the dog can be checked for rabies. That report also creates a record of the bite.

Who Pays for a Dog Bite

Usually the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. A landlord can be responsible only in narrow situations. I do not promise coverage before I see the policy, because some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a prior bite. I check what coverage exists early so the claim goes to the right place.

When a Child Is Bitten

Children are often among the most seriously hurt, because a dog’s mouth is closer to a child’s face and hands. Those injuries can leave scars and may need care for years as the child grows, including future plastic surgery. Claims for minors can have different timing than adult claims; see my Texas personal injury statute of limitations page and call me so we do not guess.

Dog Bite Injuries

A bite is more than a puncture wound. Dog bites can lead to:

• Infection
• Nerve and tendon damage
• Scarring and disfigurement, sometimes needing plastic surgery
• Emotional trauma, including fear of dogs, especially in children

What to Do After a Dog Bite

• Get medical care right away, even for a bite that looks small.
• Photograph the wounds, and keep taking photos as they heal.
• Get the owner’s name, address, and insurance information.
• Report the bite to Austin Animal Services through 311.
• Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw it.
• Keep torn or bloody clothing.

Do not sign anything from the owner’s insurance company before you talk to a lawyer. If the insurer has already refused, see can insurance deny my claim in Texas.

Defenses the Insurer May Raise

Insurers sometimes argue that the dog was provoked or that the injured person was trespassing. Texas proportionate responsibility applies, so your recovery can be reduced by any share of fault assigned to you, and a large enough share can bar it. More detail: partly at fault in Texas.

Deadlines Still Apply

Dog bite claims have filing deadlines like any other injury claim, and an insurance company’s review does not stop the clock. For the general deadline, read Texas personal injury statute of limitations.

Why Work With a Board Certified Trial Lawyer

I am Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a certification I have held since 2017. You work with me directly from River Place, and I help people bitten on neighborhood streets, trails, and parks in Lakeway, Bee Cave, Steiner Ranch, West Lake Hills, River Place, and across Austin. I deal with the insurance company so you do not have to deal with your neighbor. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you. Call (512) 872-2264.

Austin Dog Bite FAQ

Can I sue if my neighbor’s dog bit me in Austin?

You may have a claim. It usually depends on whether your neighbor knew the dog was dangerous or failed to control it. In most cases the claim is paid by your neighbor’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, and I deal with the insurer, not your neighbor.

Does Texas have a one-bite rule?

In a sense. An owner who knew the dog had bitten or acted aggressively before can be held responsible for a later bite. But a prior bite is not required. An owner who was careless, such as letting the dog run loose, can also be responsible.

Who pays for a dog bite, the owner or insurance?

Usually insurance. Most claims are paid by the owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy. Some policies exclude certain breeds or dogs with a prior bite, so I check the coverage early.

What should I do right after a dog bite in Austin?

Get medical care, photograph the wounds, and get the owner’s name, address, and insurance information. Report the bite to Austin Animal Services through 311, get witness names, and keep your torn clothing. Do not sign anything from the owner’s insurer before you talk to a lawyer.

My child was bitten by a dog. What are our options?

You may be able to bring a claim for your child’s injuries, including scarring and future care. Children’s claims can have different timing than adult claims, so call me and we will sort out the deadlines and what the claim should include.