San Antonio Dog Bite Lawyer
Effective legal help after a dog attack starts with a lawyer who lives and works where you do. I’m Minesh Patel, a San Antonio dog bite attorney at The Patel Firm, and my practice is dedicated to guiding injured neighbors through Texas’s complex dog-bite rules with compassion and skill.
We know the local system inside out. Our office on the NE I-410 Loop puts us minutes from Animal Care Services and the Bexar County courts, so we can file reports, pull records, and start your claim without delay.
You never pay upfront fees. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning our fee comes only from a successful recovery, not your pocket.
Our team partners with leading surgeons, infectious-disease doctors, and psychologists to fully value injuries ranging from puncture wounds to PTSD. This collaboration helps us demand compensation that covers both immediate care and long-term needs.
You don’t have to face this alone – call (210) 325-9990 today and let us fight for the justice you deserve.
What Should I Do After a Dog Bite?
Immediate action after a dog bite protects health and legal rights.
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even a small puncture can introduce dangerous bacteria and one in five bite victims nationwide needs professional care. Prompt treatment reduces infection risk and documents the injury for any future claim. - Report the Bite to Animal Care Services by Calling 311
San Antonio requires every bite that breaks the skin to be reported so the dog can be quarantined or tested for rabies. Timely reporting also creates an official record that supports your case later. - Gather Information and Evidence
Ask for the dog owner’s name, address, and vaccination records and take clear photos of your wounds and the scene. Witness statements and a quick smartphone video can confirm what happened when memories fade. - Clean the Wound and Keep Records
Wash the area with soap and water as first aid, then save every medical bill, prescription receipt, and doctor note. A simple pain journal that tracks symptoms and emotional distress strengthens the claim for noneconomic damages. - Contact a San Antonio Dog Bite Attorney as Soon as Possible
We investigate fast, secure animal control reports, and speak with insurers before they try to shift blame. Call us at (210) 325 9990 for a free consultation so we can protect your rights while you recover.
How Long Do I Have to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Texas?
Texas sets a two year deadline for filing a lawsuit after a dog bite injury. The clock starts on the date of the attack, and missing this statute of limitations almost always ends a victim’s right to seek compensation.
An important exception applies to children. When the injured person is a minor, the two year period usually does not begin until the child turns eighteen, but evidence is still easiest to gather soon after the incident.
Acting quickly protects your claim because medical records, witness memories, and animal control reports are strongest when fresh. We encourage you to call us as soon as possible so we can preserve vital proof, handle the paperwork, and make sure no legal deadline threatens your recovery.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite Injury in Texas?
Responsibility for a dog bite usually starts with the person who owns or controls the dog. Texas recognizes the one bite rule that holds an owner strictly liable once they know their animal has shown dangerous tendencies.
If the dog has never bitten before victims can still recover by proving negligence. Negligence means the owner failed to act like a reasonable pet owner such as allowing the dog to roam off leash ignoring past aggressive behavior or leaving a gate open in a crowded neighborhood park.
Liability can also extend beyond the owner. A landlord or property manager who knew a tenant kept a dangerous dog and did nothing to protect visitors may share the blame. Even a sitter, walker, or business that had custody of the animal at the time of the attack can be held accountable when their actions or omissions lead to harm.
The Patel Firm examines every possible defendant to maximize your recovery. Our investigation looks at animal control records, witness statements, and any local ordinance violations to show exactly whose choices put you in danger.
What Are the Texas Dog Bite Laws Victims Should Know?
Texas dog bite claims grow out of court decisions rather than a special statute. The landmark case Marshall v. Ranne established the one bite rule and makes an owner strictly liable once the dog’s past aggression is known.
First bites can still lead to recovery through negligence. When an owner ignores leash requirements, leaves a yard gate open, or fails to restrain an anxious animal, a court can find that careless behavior caused the injury.
San Antonio ordinances add extra protection. City law requires every dog to be leashed or securely fenced and owners of animals declared dangerous must post warning signs and carry added liability insurance. A violation can create negligence per se, meaning the ordinance breach itself helps prove fault.
Texas follows modified comparative negligence at fifty one percent. If a victim is less than fifty one percent responsible, damages are reduced by that share but never erased. Children are rarely assigned any legal blame under this rule.
We collect animal control reports, witness statements, and city citation records to show an owner knew or should have known the danger and to defeat any attempt to shift blame onto the victim.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I Provoked the Dog or It Was an Accident?
Texas law allows recovery even when facts are complicated. Owners remain primarily responsible unless a victim intentionally caused the attack.
Provocation is a common defense. An insurer may claim a victim teased or frightened the animal to reduce or deny payment. Normal activities such as walking past a yard or petting a neighbor dog rarely qualify as legal provocation.
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence rule at fifty one percent. If a victim is less than fifty one percent at fault compensation is reduced by that percentage but not barred entirely. Children are almost never considered negligent because the law recognizes their limited judgment.
Accidental encounters are covered too. A loose dog that bites during a chaotic playdate still places liability on the person who failed to restrain it. Even a first bite can lead to recovery when owner negligence is clear.
We gather witness accounts, security footage and animal control findings to defeat blame shifting. By showing that ordinary behavior did not provoke the attack we protect the full value of your claim.
What Injuries and Losses Can I Recover Compensation For?
Dog bite victims can claim several categories of compensation under Texas law. Our job is to make sure every loss is counted before any settlement talks begin.
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Income and Earning Capacity
- Pain Suffering and Emotional Distress
- Scarring Disfigurement and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Property Damage and Other Costs
We gather medical bills, expert opinions and detailed journals to prove the full picture of harm. By presenting both economic and human losses we press insurers to pay the true value of your case so you can move forward with confidence.
Ready to Speak with a San Antonio Dog Bite Lawyer?
You deserve help right now. Our team is ready to listen to your story and explain the next steps in plain language.
We offer free consultations and we work on a contingency fee so you never pay us unless we win compensation for you. Texas gives victims two years to file a lawsuit, but evidence fades quickly, so acting soon protects your claim.
Call the Patel Firm at (210) 325 9990 or visit our office at 100 NE Interstate 410 Loop Suite 1425, San Antonio, TX 78216. We handle the paperwork, negotiate with insurers, and fight in court when needed, so you can focus on healing while we pursue the justice you deserve.
