Texas is a dog-loving state, but it’s also among the top three in the nation for dog bite claims—more than 1,000 each year, with average costs exceeding $50,000 per claim. If you or a loved one has been bitten, you’re likely dealing with more than just medical bills. Pain, scarring, lost income, and emotional trauma can linger long after the wound has healed.
You deserve more than sympathy—you deserve full compensation. Written by attorneys with deep experience in dog bite cases at the O’Hare and Koch Law Firm, this guide breaks down what Texas law allows victims to recover, from hospital bills to pain and suffering and in some cases, punitive damages. O’Hare and Koch Law Firm is here to help you navigate through this physically and mentally difficult process.
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Understanding Texas Dog Bite Law: The “One Bite Rule”
Texas follows what’s commonly known as the “One Bite Rule,” which can significantly impact your case. Established by the 1974 Texas Supreme Court case Marshall v. Ranne, Texas’ rule is adopted from the Restatement (Second) of Torts § 509. The rule states that for a victim to recover damages for a dog bite, the injured person must show that:
(1) the dog’s owner knew the dog had bitten someone before or shown aggression toward another person in the past, or
(2) the dog’s owner was negligent in controlling the dog or preventing the bite from occurring and said negligence caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
However, even first-time incidents can lead to owner liability if negligence was involved. An owner can be held responsible if their carelessness contributed to your injury, such as:
- Violating local leash laws
- Failing to properly secure a territorial dog
- Allowing their dog to roam freely in public spaces
- To learn more about how Texas law treats dog bite cases, check out our in-depth article: Texas Dog Bite Laws: Here’s Everything You Should Know.
- Now that you have a better understanding how liability works under Texas law, let’s look at what kind of compensation you may be entitled to after a dog bite.
To learn more about how Texas law treats dog bite cases, check out our in-depth article: Texas Dog Bite Laws: Here’s Everything You Should Know.
Now that you have a better understanding how liability works under Texas law, let’s look at what kind of compensation you may be entitled to after a dog bite.
Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs of Recovery
Recovering from a dog attack often comes with a heavy financial burden. Medical treatment may extend far beyond the emergency room, involving surgeries, long-term care, rehabilitation, and ongoing medications. At the same time, many victims are forced to miss work—some permanently unable to return to their previous careers—leading to lost income and future earning potential. Out-of-pocket expenses also pile up, from damaged personal items to transportation and home modifications. To pursue full compensation, it’s critical to track every dollar spent and account for future costs.
Some of the economic damage components are easier to recover than other, but the primary components of economic damages may include:
- Emergency room visits, surgeries, specialist care, and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Home healthcare or assistive services
- Immediate lost wages and long-term earning potential
- Damaged personal property, such as clothing or electronics
- Transportation to appointments and related travel costs
- Childcare or household help during recovery
- Home modifications required due to injury
According to the American Medical Association, dog bite treatments cost approximately $18,200 per hospitalization on average, with complex cases involving reconstructive surgery often exceeding $50,000 in medical expenses. Medical expenses must account for both current costs and projected future needs. Severe dog bites can require multiple surgeries over time, and expert medical testimony may be necessary to accurately forecast these expenses.
Non-Economic Damages: The Emotional and Psychological Impact
Beyond the physical and financial toll, a dog attack can deeply disrupt your emotional well-being and daily life. Many victims experience chronic pain, lasting fear, anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Scars and disfigurement—especially on visible areas like the face or hands—can lead to social anxiety and self-esteem issues. Even routine activities like exercising, socializing, or playing with family may become difficult or impossible, leading to a profound loss of enjoyment in life. These emotional and psychological consequences are just as real as physical injuries and deserve to be fully recognized in your claim. However, it is important to understand that recovering for emotional and psychological injuries in Texas is tricky, but enhanced when the victim does undergo counseling or therapy for these injuries.
Common non-economic damages include:
- Ongoing physical pain and discomfort during recovery
- Emotional trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Fear of dogs or avoidance of public spaces
- Visible scarring or disfigurement that affects appearance and confidence
- Loss of enjoyment of life and inability to participate in hobbies or social activities
- Strain on personal relationships and reduced quality of life
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that up to 28% of dog bite victims develop symptoms consistent with PTSD, particularly children and those with severe injuries. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health further indicates that early psychological intervention after animal attacks can significantly reduce long-term trauma effects. Documentation through mental health treatment records, psychological evaluations, and personal accounts of how these conditions affect your daily functioning strengthens your claim for appropriate compensation.
Punitive Damages: When Negligence Becomes Reckless
In rare cases, punitive damages may apply when an owner acts with blatant disregard for safety, such as:
- Training a dog to attack
- Repeatedly ignoring leash laws for a known-aggressive dog
- Intentionally provoking a dog to harm someone
These damages are meant to punish egregious behavior and deter others.
The Essential Role of a Personal Injury Attorney
Dog bite cases involve complex legal standards and insurance negotiations that demand professional expertise. An experienced Texas dog bite attorney provides critical advantages:
- Thorough documentation of all economic and non-economic damages
- Expert testimony to substantiate your claims
- Strategic negotiation with insurance companies who typically minimize initial offers
- Proper valuation of non-economic damages that are difficult to quantify
- Navigation of Texas-specific laws regarding dog owner liability
Begin Your Path to Recovery Today
The trauma of a dog bite goes far beyond the physical wound. But with the right legal support by your side, you can regain control and pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to.
Contact our experienced Texas dog bite attorneys today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and help you through every step of the process— all so you can focus on healing.
