Jose Robles Jr is a Fort Worth dog bite attorney who holds negligent dog owners accountable under Texas law. Dog attacks cause serious puncture wounds, permanent scarring, nerve damage, and emotional trauma - especially for children. We pursue homeowner's insurance claims, landlord liability, and every available source of compensation. No fee unless we win.
A Fort Worth dog bite lawyer helps victims recover compensation for medical bills, scarring, lost wages, and emotional trauma caused by dog attacks. Under Texas's one-bite rule, dog owners are liable when they knew or should have known their dog was dangerous. Most claims are paid through the owner's homeowner's insurance policy. Jose Robles Jr Law Firm has recovered over $5 million for injured clients across Fort Worth, Richardson, and San Antonio with a 95% success rate.
Texas requires proof that the dog owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous - established through prior bites, aggressive behavior, or animal control complaints.
Texas follows the "one-bite rule" for dog bite liability, codified under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.005. A dog owner is responsible for injuries when they had knowledge of their dog's dangerous propensities. This knowledge can be demonstrated through:
Under Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.005, strict liability applies when a dog has been officially classified as dangerous and the owner fails to comply with restraint requirements. Even without a prior bite, a dog owner can be held liable through general negligence - violating Fort Worth leash ordinances, leaving a gate open, or allowing a known aggressive dog to roam free.
Texas also applies modified comparative fault under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. If the victim provoked the dog or was trespassing, their compensation may be reduced - but as long as the victim is less than 51% at fault, they can still recover damages.
Dog bite settlements in Texas range from $15,000 for minor injuries to $500,000+ for severe attacks involving facial scarring, surgery, or child victims. There is no statutory cap on damages.
Settlement amounts depend on injury severity, medical costs, permanent scarring, and the victim's age. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog bite claim in the United States was $64,555 in 2023 - and Texas cases involving children with facial injuries often exceed that significantly.
| Injury Type | Settlement Range | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Minor bite - no scarring | $10,000 – $30,000 | ER visit, antibiotics, short recovery |
| Moderate - stitches, scarring | $30,000 – $75,000 | Wound repair, visible scar, lost wages |
| Severe - hospitalization, surgery | $75,000 – $250,000 | Reconstructive surgery, nerve damage, PTSD |
| Child facial scarring | $150,000 – $500,000+ | Multiple surgeries, lifelong psychological impact |
| Catastrophic - loss of function | $250,000 – $1M+ | Permanent disability, extensive reconstruction |
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique - contact Jose Robles Jr Law Firm for a free evaluation of your specific situation.
Dog bites cause deep puncture wounds, facial scarring, nerve damage, bone fractures, and serious infections including Pasteurella and MRSA - with children most vulnerable to facial and neck injuries.
Dog attacks cause injuries far more severe than most people expect. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur annually in the United States, with roughly 800,000 requiring medical attention. Large breed attacks can knock victims to the ground, causing broken bones and head injuries in addition to bite wounds.
Lacerations and crush injuries to hands, arms, legs, and face requiring surgical repair
Permanent disfigurement requiring reconstructive surgery - most devastating for children
Loss of sensation or function in hands, fingers, and face from deep bite injuries
Pasteurella, Capnocytophaga, MRSA, rabies exposure requiring IV antibiotics or hospitalization
Broken bones from being knocked down or dragged, especially in elderly victims and children
Severe anxiety, nightmares, fear of dogs - particularly debilitating for child victims
Children under 13 account for the majority of serious dog bite victims - their smaller size makes facial and neck bites more common, causing lifelong scarring and psychological trauma.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children aged 5 to 9 have the highest rate of dog bite injuries requiring medical attention. Because children are smaller, dogs frequently bite them in the face and neck - the most dangerous and disfiguring injury locations. A scar on a child's face carries lifelong consequences: social anxiety, bullying, reduced self-confidence, and the need for multiple revision surgeries as they grow.
We fight for compensation that reflects the full long-term impact - not just today's emergency room bill, but years of follow-up reconstructive surgeries, counseling, and the emotional toll of growing up with visible scarring. In Texas, the statute of limitations for minors is tolled until their 18th birthday under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.001 - but we recommend acting fast while evidence is fresh and witnesses are available.
Yes - most homeowner's and renter's insurance policies cover dog bite liability with limits from $100,000 to $300,000. Umbrella policies and landlord liability may provide additional coverage.
The Insurance Information Institute reports that homeowner's insurance claims for dog bites exceeded $1.12 billion nationwide in 2023. Most Fort Worth dog bite claims are resolved through the dog owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy. Standard liability limits range from $100,000 to $300,000, with umbrella policies providing additional coverage up to $1 million or more.
Some insurers exclude specific breeds or dogs with prior bite history. If the attack occurred at an apartment complex, business, or rental property in Fort Worth, the landlord or property manager may also carry liability - especially if they knew about the dog's dangerous tendencies and failed to enforce pet policies or require renters insurance. Our investigation identifies every available coverage source before filing your claim.
Seek medical attention immediately, report the bite to Tarrant County Animal Services at (817) 392-3737, photograph injuries, preserve evidence, and contact a dog bite attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters.
The steps you take immediately after a dog attack directly impact the strength of your claim. Follow this sequence:
Even minor-looking bites can cause deep tissue damage and serious infection from Pasteurella, Capnocytophaga, or MRSA bacteria. Puncture wounds often require antibiotic treatment and tetanus boosters.
Call (817) 392-3737 to file an official report. This creates a documented record of the attack and triggers an investigation into whether the dog has prior complaints - critical evidence for your claim.
Photograph all injuries before and after treatment. Save torn or bloodied clothing. Get contact information from any witnesses. Note the exact location, time, and circumstances of the attack.
The dog owner's insurance company will contact you quickly. Do not give recorded statements, sign documents, or accept settlement offers before consulting an attorney.
Call Jose Robles Jr Law Firm at (214) 444-3343 for a free case evaluation. We investigate prior incidents, obtain animal control records, and build the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.
Texas dog bite victims can recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages), non-economic damages (pain, scarring, PTSD), and in rare cases, exemplary damages for gross negligence.
ER visits, surgery, hospitalization, IV antibiotics, rabies prophylaxis, and all future treatment costs
Skin grafts, wound repair, scar revision surgery - especially critical for facial injuries on children
Compensation for time missed from work during recovery and diminished future earning capacity
Physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life resulting from the attack
Separate damages for visible, permanent disfigurement - valued higher for facial and hand scarring
Therapy costs and non-economic damages for anxiety, nightmares, and lasting fear of dogs
Jose Robles Jr is a decorated Air Force combat veteran with a 95% success rate, $5M+ recovered, and recognition from Super Lawyers, Fort Worth Magazine, and the Texas Bar Foundation.
Before earning his J.D. from Texas A&M University School of Law, Jose Robles Jr served four combat tours in the Middle East with the United States Air Force. He competed on the All Air Force Boxing Team and learned what it means to fight relentlessly for people counting on you. That same discipline drives every case - from obtaining Tarrant County Animal Services records to working with medical experts who project future treatment costs for scarring and reconstructive surgery.
We fight for full compensation - medical bills, scarring, lost wages, pain and suffering. No fee unless we win.
Jose Robles Jr Law Firm represents dog bite victims from three office locations. Whether the attack happened in your Fort Worth neighborhood, at a Tarrant County park, or on someone else's property - we serve clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, North Texas, and San Antonio.
405 S. Jim Wright Fwy, Suite 160
Fort Worth, TX 76108
(214) 444-3343
300 N. Coit Rd, Suite 1525
Richardson, TX 75080
(214) 444-3343
6323 Sovereign Dr, Suite 220
San Antonio, TX 78108
(726) 241-2523