Irving Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog Bite Lawyer Irving, TX

Dog attacks cause injuries that go far beyond the initial wounds. Deep punctures damage tissue and invite infection. Lacerations leave permanent scars. And the psychological trauma of being attacked by an animal can persist for years, particularly in children. Texas law holds dog owners accountable when their animals injure others, but insurance companies resist paying fair compensation at every turn.

Our Irving, TX dog bite lawyer has represented injury victims throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region for 13 years. Founding Attorney Rhiannon Kelso has tried more than 25 cases to jury verdict and secured over $20 million in recoveries during her career. We handle dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we obtain compensation on your behalf.

Contact our firm to schedule a free consultation. We will review the circumstances of the attack, explain your legal options, and provide an honest assessment of your claim.

Why Choose Kelso Law for Dog Bites in Irving, TX?

Premises Liability Results That Demonstrate Our Approach

Dog bite claims fall under Texas premises liability law. The same legal framework that governs injuries caused by dangerous property conditions applies when a dog attacks someone. Rhiannon Kelso has secured multiple seven-figure recoveries in premises liability matters, including an $8 million jury verdict in Dallas County involving an assault on commercial property.

Attorney Kelso founded this firm to represent individuals injured through the negligence of property owners, drivers, and others whose carelessness causes harm. She holds bar admissions in Texas and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, receiving the CALI Excellence for the Future Award. Her undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Near Eastern Studies came from the University of Arizona.

Attorney Kelso maintains membership in the Dallas Bar Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. She speaks fluent English and Spanish, enabling direct communication with clients in their preferred language.

If you need a personal injury lawyer in Irving, TX, our firm handles dog bite cases alongside other serious injury matters throughout the region.

A Record That Influences How Insurance Companies Respond

Attorney Kelso has secured millions of dollars for injured clients over the course of her career. She has tried more than 25 cases to jury verdict. Insurance adjusters track which attorneys actually litigate and which attorneys settle everything without a fight. When they see counsel with substantial trial experience, they approach settlement negotiations differently.

Dog bite claims often proceed against homeowner’s insurance policies. These insurers have significant resources and experienced adjusters whose job is to minimize payouts. Having an attorney with a proven verdict record changes how those adjusters evaluate your claim from the first conversation forward.

No Upfront Fees

We represent dog bite victims on a contingency fee basis. There is no retainer. There is no hourly billing. Our fee comes exclusively from the compensation we recover for you. If your case does not result in a recovery, you owe nothing for attorney fees.

This arrangement allows victims of dog attacks to pursue claims without worrying about legal costs while they are managing medical treatment, dealing with scarring, and recovering from the trauma of being attacked.

Client Testimonials

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“I recently had the pleasure of working with Kelso Law, and I am blown away by their exceptional service and professionalism. From the moment I reached out to them, I was greeted with warmth and a genuine desire to help me with my legal needs. The team was knowledgeable, efficient, and kept me informed throughout the entire process. Their attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best outcome for me was remarkable. I highly recommend Kelso to anyone seeking top-notch legal representation and support.” — Sam Mukeba

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Irving

Dog attacks occur throughout Irving in residential neighborhoods, apartment complexes, public parks, and commercial properties. The location and circumstances of an attack affect how liability is established and which insurance policies may provide coverage. We represent clients in the following types of dog bite and animal attack cases:

• Attacks on public property. Dogs that escape from yards or slip their leashes in parks can attack joggers, walkers, and children without warning. Owners who fail to maintain control of their animals in public spaces bear responsibility for the harm those animals cause. Irving’s parks and trails see heavy foot traffic, and pedestrians should not have to fear being attacked while exercising or spending time outdoors.
• Bites on residential property. Visitors, delivery workers, and guests who enter property where a dog is present face attack risks. Homeowners insurance policies typically cover these incidents, but insurers work to minimize compensation for medical treatment, permanent scarring, and emotional harm. Many attacks occur when owners fail to secure their dogs before opening doors or when fencing proves inadequate.
• Apartment complex attacks. Landlords who permit tenants to keep dangerous dogs or who fail to enforce pet policies may bear liability when attacks occur in common areas. Hallways, parking lots, and shared outdoor spaces all present risks. These cases require investigation into what the property management company knew about the animal and what precautions they failed to take.
• Attacks involving children. Children suffer dog bites at higher rates than adults. Because of their height, bites frequently occur to the face, head, and neck. The injuries tend to be more severe. The psychological effects of being attacked can include nightmares, anxiety around animals, and behavioral changes that persist for years. Facial scarring affects a child throughout their development.
• Dogs with known dangerous histories. When an owner knows their dog has bitten someone before or has displayed aggressive tendencies, liability becomes easier to establish. Prior incidents reported to animal control, complaints from neighbors, and previous bite victims all constitute evidence that the owner understood the risk and failed to act.
• Mail carrier and delivery worker attacks. Postal workers and delivery personnel enter properties daily as part of their jobs. They face elevated attack risks. When dogs injure these workers, premises liability claims may intersect with workers’ compensation issues. We help victims understand all available avenues for recovery.
• Hit and run attacks. Some owners flee after their dogs attack someone. Identifying the owner becomes the first challenge. We work with animal control records, witness statements, and neighborhood investigation to determine ownership and pursue compensation.

Establishing that property owners knew about dangerous conditions on their property, including dangerous animals, often forms the foundation of these claims.

Texas Legal Requirements for Dog Bites

Texas follows what is commonly called a “one bite rule” combined with general negligence principles. Unlike states with strict liability statutes that hold owners automatically responsible for any bite, Texas typically requires proof that the owner knew or should have known their dog posed a danger. Evidence of prior bites, aggressive behavior, or the owner’s awareness that the breed required careful handling can satisfy this requirement.

Negligence principles provide an alternative path to recovery. Even without proof of prior incidents, an owner who fails to exercise reasonable care in controlling their dog can be held liable. Allowing a dog to roam unleashed, failing to repair broken fencing, ignoring signs of aggression, or keeping a dog in an area where it can reach visitors all may constitute negligence.

The statute of limitations for dog bite claims is two years. Under Section 16.003 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, injured parties must file suit within two years of the attack. Courts dismiss cases filed after this deadline in nearly all circumstances.

Comparative fault rules also apply. Pursuant to Section 33.001, injured parties may recover only if their responsibility for the incident does not exceed 50 percent. Insurance adjusters will argue that victims provoked the dog, ignored warning signs, or entered property where they were not welcome. These arguments aim to reduce or eliminate compensation entirely.

Local ordinances impose additional requirements on dog owners. The City of Irving Municipal Code contains animal control provisions addressing leash laws, dangerous dog designations, and owner responsibilities. Violations of these ordinances serve as evidence of negligence.

We advise dog bite victims to avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting counsel. Adjusters ask questions designed to elicit statements that reduce claim values. Everything you say becomes part of their file and can be used against you during settlement negotiations or at trial.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Irving Dog Bite Cases?

Dog attacks produce injuries that extend well beyond puncture wounds and lacerations. Tissue damage can be extensive. Nerve injuries may result in permanent loss of sensation or motor function. Infections, including serious conditions requiring hospitalization, develop in a significant percentage of bite wounds. Scarring remains visible for life. And the psychological effects of being attacked by an animal can include anxiety, fear of dogs, flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Texas law permits dog bite victims to pursue compensation across several damage categories.

Economic damages compensate for financial losses that can be documented. Medical expenses typically constitute the largest component. Emergency room treatment, surgery, wound care, hospitalization, follow-up appointments, prescription medications, and physical therapy all generate costs. Reconstructive surgery to address scarring may require multiple procedures over several years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hundreds of thousands of dog bite victims require emergency medical treatment annually in the United States.

Lost wages cover income missed during recovery. Severe bites may prevent work for weeks. Diminished earning capacity applies when permanent injuries affect the victim’s ability to perform their job duties going forward.

Non-economic damages address harm that cannot be assigned a specific dollar value. Pain and suffering during the attack and throughout recovery, mental anguish, disfigurement from permanent scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life all fall within this category. Facial scars affect victims every day. Texas does not cap non-economic damages in most dog bite cases.

Children suffer particular harm from dog attacks. The Texas Department of State Health Services tracks bite incidents across the state, and national data from the American Veterinary Medical Association confirms that children between ages five and nine face the highest bite rates. Injuries to young victims often require years of follow-up treatment and can affect psychological development.

Punitive damages may apply when owner conduct is particularly egregious. An owner who knew their dog was dangerous and took no precautions, or who encouraged aggressive behavior, may face punitive damages designed to punish recklessness and deter similar conduct.

Contact Kelso Law

If you or a family member has been injured in a dog attack in Irving, TX, our firm is prepared to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Attorney Rhiannon Kelso has spent 13 years representing injured Texans and has recovered millions of dollars for her clients. We handle dog bite claims on contingency, which means you assume no financial risk in pursuing your claim.

Consultations are provided at no charge. We will review the facts surrounding the attack, identify responsible parties, and provide a straightforward assessment of your case and its potential value.

Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation. The dog owner’s insurance company has legal counsel protecting its interests. You deserve an attorney protecting yours.