Comparative Fault in Dallas Dog Bite Cases - How Does It Affect Your Claim?

As shocking as they often are for victims and dog owners alike, Dallas dog bites cases are not so uncommon. CBS News reports that there were over 800 dog bite incidents in Dallas in 2022. That article attributes the higher number of bites from the previous year to an increased number of vacant positions in animal control, which has offered more incentives to attract officers and lighten the workload on current staff.

Despite that push, dog bites continue to be an issue in Dallas. The Dallas office of Data Analytics and Business Intelligence (DBI) publishes data on all kinds of happenings in Dallas, including dog bites, and their 2023 report shows that these numbers are not significantly decreasing. If you or someone you love is a victim of a dog bite, then you need a lawyer to secure the largest possible personal injury claim in Dallas.

Carabin Shaw has the experience and drive to help get you justice and the compensation you deserve after a dog bite in Dallas. Securing quality representation is important in these cases because the issue of comparative fault often comes into play. Having the expert Dallas dog bite attorneys at Carabin Shaw in your corner is the first step to success.

Comparative Fault is an element of the law that compares the amount of fault each party has contributed to a single injury. A defendant will usually invoke this to reduce the amount of damages they have to pay a plaintiff. Comparative fault in dog bite cases will include an examination of the victim’s behavior prior to the bite, where lawyers will determine if any property lines were crossed or “Beware” signs ignored, among other negligent behaviors.

The comparative calculation, then, attributes a percentage of fault to each party. If the defendant is found to be 75% to blame for the dog bite, then the plaintiff can be awarded up to 75% of their claimed damages. You can imagine how this might be a tricky law to understand alone, which is why our team can be a vital asset on your road to greater dog bite injury compensation.

It’s important to know that Texas is a “one-bite” state, meaning that “owners, harborers, or keepers” of dogs can be held liable for bites if the dog has bitten or attempted to bite someone before. This applies to some other aggressive behaviors, making it all the more valuable to have our dog bite attorneys on your side.

In Texas, the person responsible for a dog in a given moment can also be deemed negligent if they fail to stop attacking actions or do not adhere to local leash laws. If you choose us, we promise we’ll fight with all of our experience and passion for your maximum compensation. You don’t have to take just our word for it, though. Check out Carabin Shaw’s client reviews to hear from other Texans whose decision to hire us helped them make a fuller recovery from their injuries.

Trying to get back to your regular life after a major injury is a difficult process no matter the situation, and it’s made even harder when the negligence of another has harmed you not only physically, but financially. This is why Carabin Shaw always offers free case reviews to each potential client—we don’t want anyone who needs our help to feel like they have to spend even more money just to talk with us.

Furthermore, we offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, which means we don’t get paid until we win for you. You can stay focused on your recovery while our lawyers focus on getting you the most compensation available to you.

When you’re ready to learn how we can help you after a Dallas dog bite, please feel free to call us 24/7 on our toll-free number, 800-862-1260. We have English and Spanish-speaking representatives available to take your call.

For more information:

• CBS News
• Dallas Open Data