Pit Bull Attack Lawyer Niles Sneed
In Texas, American Pit Bull Terrier bites and attacks are a unfortunately common occurrence, and with often deadly consequences. On February 17, 2023, an elderly man in San Antonio was savagely mauled by a three dogs including several pit bulls. Then, only days before in Baytown four pit bulls mauled a man that was walking in his neighborhood. Within the same week, a man was attacked by two pit bulls outside his Fort Worth home and required hospitalization for nearly a week. Incidents in Houston, Austin, and Dallas occur with similar frequency as we have seen an increase in cases of irresponsible pet owners.
If you or someone you know has been bitten by a pit bull in Texas, speak with pit bull attack lawyer Niles Sneed. After you seek medical attention, contact Niles Sneed to help determine if the dog owner is liable. Our law firm has decades of combined experience, a winning track records, and the resources required to effectively recover maximum compensation for you. You and your family may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. If you find yourself in this situation, it's important to speak with an experienced dog bite lawyer who can help you understand your rights and options.
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What is a pit bull attack lawyer?
A pit bull attack lawyer is a dog bite attorney and expensive experience specifically representing clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries after being attacked by American Pit Bull Terriers. A pit bull attack lawyer is accustomed to handling the more serious dog bite injuries, including puncture wounds, crush injuries, organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, infections, even wrongful death. These attorneys understand the forms of post-operative medical treatment often required and fight to make sure the victim's settlement or jury award include both past and future compensation needs. People bitten or attacked by pit bulls often require life-care planning and the assistance of reconstructive surgeons, plastic surgeons, physical therapists, psychologists, or other forms of long-term care consultants for the physical, emotional, and psychological trauma these incidents cause.
Do I need a lawyer for a dog bite attack?
While not every case of a dog bite requires legal representation, it can be beneficial to seek experienced legal assistance if your injuries require medical assistance. A lawyer can conduct an investigation, negotiate a fair settlement, help you understand the relevant statutes and laws, and provide you with peace of mind during a difficult time.
A thorough investigation can help determine whether the pet owner is liable under the theory of negligence or whether the owner had reason to know of the dog's vicious propensities and is subjected to strict liability. They can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and review medical records to build a strong case on your behalf. This can be particularly important if the owner of the dog denies responsibility for the incident or if there are questions about liability.
In addition to investigation, a lawyer can help with negotiation. They can work with the owner of the dog or their insurance company to seek a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. This can be especially helpful if the owner is not willing to take responsibility for the dog's actions or if they do not have adequate insurance coverage to pay for your damages.
Furthermore, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the relevant statutes and laws that govern dog bite liability in your state. They can advise you on your rights and help you understand what legal options are available to you.
Finally, having a lawyer on your side can provide you with peace of mind during what can be a stressful and challenging time. They can handle the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Why pit bull attack victims contact Niles Sneed
Pit bull attack lawyer Niles Sneed has in-depth experience recovering maximum financial awards for victims attacked by this specific breed. Niles Sneed is trial lawyer and has educated juries across the State of Texas on the dog's history of aggressiveness and biting. He also has successfully proven liability against both residential and commercial pit bull owners.
When you hire Niles Sneed and Sneed & Mitchell LLP for you dog bite injury case, here's what you can expect:
We are client-driven and focus on your case. Niles and his team handle every aspect of your dog bite claim for you. From beginning to end, we handle all the insurance adjuster communications and correspondences, local animal authority, filing with the court, and handle defense counsel, settlement discussions, and take the case to trial if needed.
We handle your claim on a contingency basis. With us, you don't pay any upfront cost or fee. Instead, our attorneys only gets paid if we are successful in achieving the desired outcome for your case.
We determine the pit bull’s history of aggressiveness. We contact witnesses, neighbors, and any other person that has interacted with the dog. We also make sure that we've obtained the evidence necessary.
We consult with leading experts in Texas. Dog bite injuries can be significant and medical treatment can be costly and complex. We work with experts as we investigate, build, and value your case to make sure that we get things right.
We determine liability and fight to hold all responsible parties fully accountable. Sometimes, people other than the pet's owner can contribute in allowing the pit bull to attack something. We work to identify each possible defendant and pursue a financial recovery from each one.
What to do after being attacked by a dangerous pit bull
The following steps will help protect their right to a personal injury claim related to injuries caused by a pit bull. When a bite or attack results in a significant injury, make sure to do the following:
Call 911 and request an ambulance.
Contact animal control.
Seek immediate medical care.
Follow all physician or surgeons orders.
Attend all medical and therapy appointments.
Get a copy of any reports related to the attack.
Collect all witness contact information.
Take photos of the area and any of your injuries,.
Keep a diary of what happened and your experience for days and weeks afterwards.
Keep a log of all of your bills and receipts.
Do not discuss what happened with an insurance adjuster.
Do not sign any paperwork from an insurance company.
Do not post of social media.
Consult an experienced dog bite injury lawyer prior to agreeing to a statement or accepting monetary compensation from an insurance company.
What types of damages can I recover through a dog bite lawsuit?
If you have sustained injuries due to the negligence or intentional misconduct of a pet owner, you could be eligible for compensation to cover your losses. In legal terms, this compensation is known as "damages." The types of damages include special damages (economic damages) and general damages (non-economic damages).
Special Damages
Special damages, also known as economic damages, are a type of compensation awarded to a plaintiff in a legal case to cover specific financial losses incurred as a direct result of the defendant's actions. These damages are quantifiable and can be proven with documentation, such as bills, receipts, and invoices.
Examples of special damages may include:
Medical expenses: This includes any costs related to medical treatment, such as hospital bills, doctor's fees, medication, and rehabilitation.
Loss of earnings: This includes any wages or income that the plaintiff has lost due to their injury, including future earnings if they are unable to work in the same capacity as before the incident.
Property damage: This includes any repairs or replacement costs to damaged property, such as a car or home.
Other out-of-pocket expenses: This includes any other expenses incurred as a direct result of the defendant's actions, such as transportation costs, home care expenses, and modifications to the plaintiff's living space
In order to be awarded special damages, the plaintiff must be able to prove that these losses were a direct result of the defendant's actions and that they are quantifiable and directly attributable to the incident in question.
General Damages
Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, are more difficult to quantify compared to economic damages. They aim to compensate the plaintiff for non-tangible losses that result from an injury, such as pain and suffering.
Examples of general damages may include:
Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Permanent physical disability or disfigurement
Damage to reputation
Loss of enjoyment of life
For more information on economic and non-economic damages, please refer to additional resources.
Wrongful Death Damages
If an individual dies due to the intentional misconduct or negligence of another person, the surviving family members of the victim have the option to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
Damages in a wrongful death case may include:
Expenses related to the funeral and burial
Emotional suffering experienced by the family members
Medical expenses incurred by the deceased person prior to their death, as well as any pain and suffering they endured
Loss of the deceased person's expected income
Value of services that the deceased person would have provided
Loss of companionship and consortium
Typically, a representative of the deceased victim's estate files the wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the survivors. However, who is considered a survivor can vary from state to state.
Who is liable for dog bite injuries in Texas?
After a dog bite attack in Texas, there are a few different parties who could potentially be held liable. The first is the owner of the dog. In many states, dog owners are automatically liable if their dog bites someone, regardless of whether the dog has shown aggressive tendencies in the past. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the victim was trespassing on the owner's property at the time of the attack, the owner may not be held liable. The second party who could potentially be held liable is the person who was responsible for supervising the dog at the time of the incident. This could be a babysitter, a pet sitter, or even a friend who was supposed to be watching the dog while the owner was away. Finally, any business that allowed the dog on its premises could also be held liable. This is often the case with businesses that allow dogs, such as restaurants and stores. If you have been attacked by a dog, it is important to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to determine who could be held liable in your case.
Can I still pursue compensation if I'm also blamed?
Contact a Texas dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Sometimes, the responding police officer is makes an error in blaming the victim for their injuries. It is also a common practice for insurance adjusters - both homeowners and commercial insurance companies - to deny coverage for the incident when a person is not represented by legal counsel. An attorney skilled at litigating animal bite and attack lawsuits can investigate the situation and aid in determination liability.
Texas is a state that follows the contributory negligence doctrine. Contributory negligence is a legal doctrine that still allows a person to recovering damages even in circumstances where the court finds you partially responsible for their injuries. For example, if a dog bite victim was trespassing on the dog owner's property at the time of the attack, the victim may be found to be contributorily negligent and provide a percentage of fault to your actions. So, if you are found to have been 20% liable, you can still recovery 80% from the liable pet owner or property owner.
Common dog bite injuries
There are various types of injuries that can result from a dog bite. In some cases, these attacks can be severe and result in long-lasting effects on the victim. Examples of injuries caused by dog bites include:
Broken bones
Muscle and ligament injuries
Cuts, scrapes, and deep lacerations
Puncture wounds
Degloving
Facial injuries
Eye and vision injuries
Nerve issues
Scarring and disfigurement
Infections or diseases
Wrongful death
Apart from physical injuries, dog bites can also result in emotional harm such as distress, anguish, phobia of dogs, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Why do pit bulls attack so often?
Pit bulls are notorious for biting and attacking other animals, as well as humans. There are several reasons why pit bulls may bite so frequently, including negligence on the part of their owners. Many people treat pit bulls in a way that encourages aggression and dominance, either through rough training methods or by using them to intimidate others. Alternatively, some dog owners may actually be intentionally cruel towards their pit bulls, purposefully trying to provoke aggressive behavior for personal gain. Additionally, there are many reports of negligent bystanders filming violent attacks by pit bulls without intervening or calling for help. Ultimately, the prevalence of pit bull bites stems from a combination of negligent training practices, intentional acts of cruelty, and careless bystander behavior. Thus, it is important to take proactive steps to protect ourselves from both the animal and human perpetrators behind these attacks.
Do pit bulls cause the most dog bite fatalities?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are an average of 36 fatalities caused by dog attacks in the United States each year. Of those, pit bulls accounted for 15%, followed by Rottweilers with 8%. However, it's important to keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and that there are many factors that can contribute to the severity of a dog attack. For example, a larger dog is more likely to cause serious injuries than a smaller one, and a dog that is not properly socialized is more likely to be aggressive. In addition, some breeds of dogs (such as pit bulls and Rottweilers) have been bred specifically for fighting, which makes them more likely to be involved in attacks. Therefore, when choosing a pet, it's important to consider not only the breed of dog but also its individual temperament.
How much does a dog bite lawyer cost?
In Texas, dog bite lawyers charge a contingency fee. This means that your attorney will not charge you an hourly rate for their services. Instead, they will take a percentage of your settlement or court award. contingency fees typically range from 33-40% of the total amount recovered. So, if you receive a $10,000 settlement, your lawyer would receive $3,333-$4,000. contingency fees are common in dog bite cases because they allow people who have been injured to get legal help without having to pay upfront costs. If you do not win your case, you do not owe your attorney anything.
What is the timeline for a pit bull attack lawsuit?
A Pit Bull attack lawsuit generally takes between 6 and 9 months to reach settlement. However, various facts related to your specific case could prolong the time it takes for the legal matter to conclude. After you receive emergency medical attention, contact Dog Bite Lawyer Niles Sneed. Niles Sneed will launch an investigation into your claim, which includes securing witness statements, camera footage, and requesting all applicable records and documents.
Next, your attorney will conduct background search of the animal's owner, or the premises owner responsible in allowing the pit bull to attack you. The attorney will then wait until your doctors determine you have reached your maximum medical improvement (MMI) before filing your civil lawsuit. MMI, is a term that is used in the field of healthcare to describe the point at which further healing or recovery will not occur and the patient is considered to have reached their full recovery potential. Once this point is reached, your legal professional will send a demand letter to the at-fault in order to start the negotiation process. If negotiations fail, the attorney would file a legal petition in District Court.
When the defendant responds, the discovery process begins and evidence is requested and exchanged by both parties. Afterwards, the Plaintiff and Defendant will schedule a proper time or a pre-trial negotiation. A pre-trial negotiation is a mediation process that is often required in civil lawsuits here in Texas, in which the parties involved attempt to reach an agreement outside of court. Typically, both sides will present each other with their demands and try to negotiate adequate monetary compensation. If there is a stalemate, the case will proceed to trial where your attorney will discuss the attack and it's impact on your life, both physically and emotionally. Trials here in Texas generally last anywhere between two days and a week.
What is the statute of limitations to file a dog bite lawsuit in Texas?
You have two year Statute of Limitations to file a dog bite lawsuit here in Texas. Although there are sometimes exceptions to this two year rule, none of them apply to animal attack lawsuits that result in physical injuries. In Pit Bull attack claims, the only way the two years statute can be tolled is if the victim is a minor. The two years limitations period does not start for children until to the minor reaches the age of 18. To ensure that you are able to file a successful personal injury claim, it is best to work with an experienced lawyer who can help guide you through the process and advocate on your behalf. With their guidance, you can be sure that no time is wasted when it comes to seeking justice for your injuries.
Consult with a Texas lawyer that handles Pit Bull Bite Claims
Attorney Niles Sneed is a Texas pit bill attack lawyer that litigates represents bite victims in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San An Antonio, and statewide. Niles Sneed is versed in statutes constructed to protect animal attack victims and acts quickly following an incident to protect these rights. An expedient investigation aids in helping establish liability for the bite and determining what insurance coverage obtains apply to the claim.
People bitten by aggressive dogs canines face mounting bills and lost wages as most cases involve bone factures, crush injuries, head injuries, concussions, broken sternums or ribs, and much more. That's why it's crucial to have a civil trial attorney well versed in litigating claims involving dangerous animals.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, it’s important to contact an attorney immediately to learn more about your legal rights and options. Fill out our free, no obligation case review form today to learn how our attorneys may be able to help.