Have you or someone you love been attacked by a dog in Arlington? You may have legal options. An unexpected dog bite can lead to serious injuries, mounting medical expenses, and emotional distress. If you’re searching for an Arlington, TX, dog bite injury lawyer, you’re already taking the right first step toward protecting your rights.
Dog bite cases fall under personal injury law, and they’re often more complex than people realize. Liability can shift based on where the bite happened, who owns the dog, and whether negligence was involved. At Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, we help victims of dog attacks in Arlington pursue justice and compensation. Our team is deeply experienced in Texas dog bite law and has a strong record of holding negligent dog owners accountable.
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Don’t face big insurance companies alone. Our award-winning lawyers have recovered over $100 million for clients just like you. We’re ready to put our 50+ years of combined experience to work, fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Being attacked by a dog can leave lasting scars—both physical and emotional. Many people deal with pain, fear, and other effects that linger long after the initial injuries are treated.
Some of the most common injuries include:
A dog’s bite can easily break through the skin and reach deeper tissue, often resulting in serious puncture wounds. Injuries like these may harm muscles, tendons, or even bone, and frequently require medical attention such as stitches or surgical treatment.
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Dog bite wounds often carry bacteria that can lead to infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 1 in 5 dog bites result in infection, which can sometimes develop into serious health issues such as abscesses, cellulitis, or even sepsis if not addressed promptly.
Even a single bite can leave long-lasting scars, particularly when the injury affects the face, arms, or legs. Scarring often carries emotional and social consequences, especially for children or young adults.
Animal bites may cause crushing and tearing injuries to nerves, muscles, and ligaments. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, when nerves are damaged, victims may experience long-term effects such as numbness or tingling, chronic pain, loss of mobility or function, and limb deformities.
Dog attacks can also result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in children. Anxiety, flashbacks, fear of dogs, and social withdrawal are frequent responses that require professional treatment.
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Yes, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim if a dog bite in Texas caused you harm. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite in Arlington, Texas, several experienced lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your damages. These attorneys specialize in personal injury law, particularly dog bite cases, and can guide you through the legal process to ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related losses.
Under Texas law, Texas Health and Safety Code § 822.005, dog owners may be held liable if they knew the dog had shown aggressive behavior before (commonly referred to as the “one-bite rule”) or if the owner’s negligence led to the bite. This can include situations where the dog had previously barked aggressively, lunged at people, or was involved in past incidents that indicated a risk, even if no prior bite occurred.
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In Arlington, the dog’s owner is typically the primary party held legally responsible for the attack. Texas imposes specific obligations on dog owners whose pets are considered “dangerous.” These rules are designed to protect the public and reduce the risk of future harm.
Owners of dangerous dogs must:
Failure to meet these obligations can form the basis for a civil claim for negligence, especially if the attack could have been prevented.
When a large corporation or insurance company says ‘no,’ we see it as the beginning of a conversation, not the end. We will not be intimidated, and we will not rest until we have exhausted every avenue to secure the compensation you’re owed.
To bring a successful dog bite claim in Arlington, your lawyer must demonstrate that the dog’s owner acted carelessly or failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack. This is known as proving negligence, and it’s a central part of any personal injury claim.
In legal terms, your attorney will need to show that the owner knew or should have known the dog was aggressive, failed to properly control or restrain the animal, and did not act reasonably to prevent the bite from happening. This might involve showing that the dog had a history of threatening behavior, or that the owner ignored leash laws, left a gate open, or failed to warn visitors about the animal’s potential for harm.
A strong dog bite injury case in Arlington can be supported by various types of evidence, such as:
By piecing together this evidence, your legal team can show that the dog owner’s negligence directly caused your injuries—and that you’re entitled to compensation as a result.
Victims of dog attacks in Arlington may be eligible to recover both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
These damages are designed to fully account for both your immediate hardships and the long-term impact of the attack. The total value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the dog’s history, the available insurance, and how the attack has affected your daily life and future well-being.
It’s common to feel conflicted about taking legal action when the dog owner is someone you know personally. Many victims hesitate to come forward because they don’t want to damage a friendship or create tension within their community. However, it’s important to understand that pursuing a claim is not about blaming or punishing the individual—it’s about securing the financial support you need to recover.
In most cases, compensation comes from the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance policy, not their personal finances. Taking legal action simply ensures that your injuries are properly addressed and that the necessary resources are available to help you heal.
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Premises liability may come into play if you were bitten on someone else’s property. If a dog attack occurs at a business or private residence, the property owner might share responsibility—particularly if they allowed a dangerous animal to roam freely or failed to warn guests.
This is particularly important when a dog owner was aware of the animal’s aggressive tendencies but didn’t take proper steps to prevent harm to guests, customers, or residents. A knowledgeable dog bite attorney in Arlington can determine who may be held responsible and uncover all available forms of compensation, including any applicable property or third-party liability insurance.
Texas follows what’s commonly referred to as the “one-bite rule.” Under this legal standard, a dog owner may be held liable if they knew or should have known that their dog had a history—or even a tendency—toward aggressive behavior. Importantly, the dog does not have to have bitten someone in the past to meet this threshold. Incidents such as growling, lunging, snapping, or other threatening actions may be sufficient to establish prior knowledge of the risk.
To hold a dog owner accountable under the one-bite rule, evidence such as prior complaints, witness statements, or animal control reports can help demonstrate that the owner was aware—or reasonably should have been aware—of the dog’s behavior.
Even when the one-bite rule doesn’t apply, victims may still have a valid claim under other legal theories, including negligence and premises liability. For example, a dog owner may be found negligent for failing to follow leash laws in a public park, or a property owner may be held responsible for allowing a dangerous animal to remain on their premises without warning guests or tenants.
In Texas, dog bite cases fall under personal injury law, but every situation is different. That’s why it’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable Arlington dog bite attorney who can look closely at what happened and guide you through the best path forward.
Dog owners often claim that the victim provoked the animal as a defense—but this doesn’t automatically bar you from recovery. The court will evaluate whether your actions were truly provocative and whether the dog’s response was proportionate. Innocent actions—like reaching out to pet a dog—do not typically meet this threshold. Your lawyer can present witness statements or surveillance footage to challenge this claim.
Don’t face big insurance companies alone. Our award-winning lawyers have recovered over $100 million for clients just like you. We’re ready to put our 50+ years of combined experience to work, fighting for the compensation you deserve.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for dog bite injury claims is typically two years under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. This legal deadline gives you a limited window—starting from the date of the incident—to take formal legal action. Failing to file within this period may result in losing your right to hold the responsible party accountable.
However, certain exceptions may extend or shorten this deadline, such as cases involving minors or when the at-fault party cannot be identified right away. Acting quickly allows your attorney to preserve critical evidence, locate witnesses, document your injuries thoroughly, and build a compelling case on your behalf.
Dog bite cases require a careful balance of legal strategy, medical documentation, and emotional sensitivity. At Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, we bring over five decades of personal injury experience to every case. We fight for the full compensation our clients deserve—because we know how deeply these attacks can affect your life.
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, don’t wait to speak with an Arlington dog bite injury lawyer who understands what you’re going through. You don’t have to face this alone. We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay us unless we win. Call us today at 817-854-4345 to get the trusted legal support you deserve.
As a Fort Worth native and a double-Board Certified trial lawyer, John Cummings is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the injured. With a track record that includes record-setting verdicts and multi-million dollar settlements, he is an aggressive advocate who isn’t afraid to take on tough cases.
Yes, dog owners can be held liable under Texas law if they knew their pet had dangerous tendencies or acted negligently.
Puncture wounds, infections, nerve damage, and emotional trauma are all common injuries seen in Arlington dog bite cases.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care, depending on your injuries and the circumstances of the attack.
Liability may fall on the dog owner or property owner, especially if the premises lacked safety measures or warnings about the dog.
This is a common defense, but it must be proven. Innocent or accidental contact does not necessarily count as provocation under Texas law.
Typically, you must file within two years of the attack under Texas’s personal injury statute of limitations.
Yes. Dog bite cases are complex, especially when insurance companies try to deny or minimize valid claims. An experienced dog bite lawyer in Arlington, TX, can help protect your rights and maximize your recovery.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Seth Anderson, whose team has more than 50 years of combined legal experience in helping victims of personal injury seek justice.
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