Hurst Dog Bite Lawyer

Brian hargrove law
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Dob Bite Lawyer in Hurst, Texas

There are people who think hiring a lawyer from TV is a good idea.

And then there are people like you — who know better.

A dog owner failed to control their animal, and now you are left with injuries, medical bills, the fear of infection, permanent scarring, and in many cases, a trauma that does not go away when the wounds heal. You deserve a lawyer who takes that seriously.


Dog bite cases in Texas are not simple. This state follows the One Bite Rule — a rule stating that a victim needs to prove a dog’s owner either knew their dog had a record of aggression or was negligent in preventing injury. The Rule is a legal framework that insurance companies and defense attorneys use aggressively to deny claims that deserved to be paid. When the attacking dog is a breed with a documented history of aggression, breed-based insurance exclusions add another layer of complexity. To recover fully, you need a lawyer who knows how to navigate all of it.


Brian Hargrove is that lawyer. He has spent 25+ years handling dog bite and animal attack cases — including pit bull attacks, Rottweiler attacks, and attacks by other high-risk breeds — in Hurst, Tarrant County, and throughout Texas. He personally handles every case. When the insurance company refuses to pay, Brian takes them to trial.

Bitten by a Dog in Hurst? Call Brian — Today.

The owner's insurance company is already protecting them.

You need someone protecting you.

 

(817) 444-4878


Free Consultation • No Fee Until We Win

brianhargrovelaw.com • 1901 Central Drive, Suite 500, Bedford, TX 76021

THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS NOT COMING TO HELP YOU — THEY ARE ALREADY WORKING AGAINST YOU

Here Is What Is Happening Right Now — While You Are Reading This.


The moment you were bitten, the owner's insurance carrier was notified.


Their adjusters are trained to use the One Bite Rule — and in breed-exclusion cases, to deny your claim entirely before you know what hit you.


They are not on your side. They are not neutral. They are the opposing team.

Most dog bites are covered under the dog owner's homeowners or renters’ insurance policy — unless the attacking breed is specifically excluded. Here is the playbook insurers run on dog bite victims:

  • They call you quickly — before you know the full extent of your injuries or the future costs of scarring, infection treatment, or psychological care.
  • They take a recorded statement engineered to establish the dog had never shown aggression — supporting their One Bite Rule defense.
  • In breed-exclusion cases, they inform you the policy does not cover the attacking breed — and stop there. They do not volunteer that other coverage sources may exist. Brian finds those sources.
  • They offer a fast settlement designed to close your claim before you know what it is really worth.
  • For child victims, they may argue provocation — a defense with no legal basis when the attack was unprovoked.

Average dog bite insurance claim in 2024: $69,272


Serious attacks with permanent scarring, nerve damage, and psychological injury are worth significantly more.


The insurance company's first offer will not reflect that. Brian's job is to make sure your settlement does.

What every Hurst dog bite victim must do before speaking with the insurance company:


  • DO NOT give a recorded statement to the owner's insurance adjuster.
  • DO NOT sign any release or settlement agreement before understanding your full injuries.
  • DO document everything: photos of wounds at each healing stage, owner and dog information, witness contact details, police and animal control report numbers.
  • DO seek immediate medical care — dog bites carry serious infection risk including Capnocytophaga and Pasteurella bacteria.
  • DO CALL Brian Hargrove at (817) 444-4878. One call puts Brian between you and the insurance company.



Dog Bites in Hurst, Texas: The Data Behind the Danger

Hurst, TX Dog Bite — Key Facts at a Glance

U.S. Dog Bites Requiring Medical Care (Annual) ~885,000 — 395,000 ER visits in 2022
U.S. Dog Bite Insurance Claims (2024) 22,658 claims — $1.6 billion total paid nationally
Average Dog Bite Insurance Claim (2024) $69,272 per claim — 18% increase from 2023
Pit Bulls — Share of Fatal U.S. Dog Attacks 67% of all fatal attacks 2005–2020
Rottweilers — Share of Fatal Attacks 10%+ of fatal attacks / less than 3% of dog population
Texas Dog Attack Ranking (USPS 2023) #2 in the U.S. — 411 postal worker attacks
Fort Worth USPS Dog Attacks (2023) 23 incidents — 4th highest city in Texas
Children Under 16 — Fatal Attack Victims 45% of all fatal U.S. dog attack victims
Reconstructive Surgery for Dog Bites (2022) Nearly 19,000 procedures in the U.S.
Texas Statute of Limitations (adults) 2 years | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003
Texas Statute of Limitations (children) Until age 20 | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.001
Brian Hargrove — Years Licensed 25+ years | Bar No. 24025409 | Licensed 1999

Texas Ranks #2 in the Nation for Dog Attacks on Postal Workers

In 2023, the United States Postal Service reported 411 Texas postal employees attacked by dogs while delivering mail — second only to California nationwide. Fort Worth, which borders Hurst and shares the same residential corridors, ranked 4th among Texas cities with 23 documented attacks.

Postal worker attacks represent only a fraction of total dog bite incidents — most bites occur to neighbors, visitors, children, and people walking in residential areas exactly like Hurst's neighborhoods

Texas Dog Bite Law: The One Bite Rule Explained — And How Brian Uses It to Win

Texas follows the One Bite Rule, established by the Texas Supreme Court in Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (Tex. 1974). Understanding this law — and how insurance companies exploit it — is the difference between a denied claim and full compensation.

The Texas One Bite Rule — What It Actually Means


Under Texas law, a dog owner is liable for a bite injury if the victim proves TWO things:

1. The owner knew (or should have known) the dog had dangerous propensities — based on prior behavior.

2. The owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent the bite from occurring.


The name 'One Bite Rule' is misleading. The dog does not have to have bitten before. Evidence of prior aggressive behavior — lunging, snapping, growling, escaping, attacking other animals — establishes owner knowledge


Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (Tex. 1974): A person who knows they are keeping a dangerous animal takes on strict liability for the damage that animal causes.


Source: Texas Supreme Court | Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (Tex. 1974)

Brian investigates the full history of the dog and the owner's knowledge: prior complaints to animal control, neighbor accounts, social media, veterinary records, HOA communications, and owner statements to police. He pursues both the One Bite Rule theory and the independent negligence theory (leash law violations) in every case.

The Negligence Theory — A Second Path to Liability

Even when One Bite Rule liability is contested, Texas law provides a second path: negligence. If the dog owner failed to use reasonable care — violating Hurst's leash ordinance, leaving a dog unattended in an unfenced yard, allowing a known jumper to escape — that failure is independent evidence of negligence, separate from whether the dog bit before. Brian pursues both theories simultaneously in every case.

Attorney Brian Hargrove and his happy client standing next to one another smiling. The law firm logo is to the left of them, along with a five star review from the client who was a victim of a dog attack.

DANGEROUS DOG BREEDS IN HURST, TEXAS:

WHAT THE DATA SHOWS AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR CASE

One of the most common questions people have after a dog attack in Hurst is whether the breed of dog matters to their legal case. The short answer: it depends — and understanding exactly how it depends is what separates a strong claim from one the insurance company can pick apart.

Texas Law on Dangerous Breeds: What You Need to Know


Texas Preempts Breed-Specific Legislation — Cities Cannot Ban Breeds

Texas law prohibits local governments from enacting breed-specific ordinances. No city in Texas — including Hurst — can ban pit bulls, Rottweilers, or any other breed by name. The City of Hurst's animal ordinances are breed-neutral and focus on individual animal behavior and owner control.


But Texas Law Still Holds Owners of High-Risk Breeds to a Higher Standard of Foreseeability

Under the One Bite Rule (Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255, Tex. 1974), the question is whether the owner knew or should have known their dog was dangerous. When an owner keeps a breed with statistically documented attack history — and particularly when that dog has shown any prior aggression — courts and juries treat the foreseeability question very differently than they would for a golden retriever.


Owning a statistically dangerous breed is not liability by itself. But combined with any evidence of prior aggression, it significantly strengthens your case.

Dangerous Dog Breed Attack Statistics — National Data


Pit Bull-Type Dogs

Responsible for 67% of all fatal dog attacks in the United States between 2005 and 2020. More than twice as many attacks as all other breeds combined in that period. Pit bulls are the most commonly excluded breed in Texas homeowners insurance policies.


Rottweilers

Responsible for over 10% of fatal dog attacks nationally over a 12-year period — despite representing less than 3% of the total U.S. dog population. Rottweiler bite injuries frequently require reconstructive surgery. Rottweiler owners may be held to a heightened standard of care, particularly in neighborhoods with children.


German Shepherds

Third most reported breed in serious injury attacks. Often kept as guard or protection dogs, which itself is evidence an owner anticipated and accepted the dog's capacity for aggression. Frequently appear in workplace and premises liability dog bite cases.


Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Wolf Hybrids

All documented in serious injury attack data and commonly excluded from homeowners insurance policies. Wolf hybrids are subject to separate Texas Health & Safety Code provisions as exotic animals.


Important: Any Dog Can Bite

Breed statistics describe population-level risk — not individual dog behavior. Brian pursues every dog bite case on its individual merits, regardless of breed. A mixed-breed dog whose owner knew it was aggressive is just as actionable as a pit bull with the same history.

The Insurance Coverage Trap: When the Attacking Breed Is Excluded From the Owner's Policy

This is one of the most financially damaging surprises a dog bite victim can face — and most people never think to ask about it until it is too late.



Most homeowners and renters insurance policies cover dog bite liability. But many Texas insurers specifically exclude coverage for dogs of certain breeds. The most commonly excluded breeds include:

  • Pit bull-type dogs (any dog identified as a pit bull, Staffordshire terrier, or American Staffordshire terrier — or any mixed breed that appears to be one)
  • Rottweilers
  • German Shepherds
  • Chow Chows
  • Doberman Pinschers
  • Akitas and Akita Inus
  • Wolf hybrids and wolf mixes
  • Any dog with a documented prior bite history — regardless of breed

If the attacking dog is an excluded breed, the owner's policy may pay nothing — leaving you to pursue the owner personally.

This is not the end of your case. It changes the strategy. Brian identifies all available recovery sources immediately.

Other possible sources: your own Uninsured/Underinsured coverage, the landlord's policy, the property manager's liability coverage, an umbrella policy, or a third-party defendant's coverage.

Even when breed-based exclusions exist, the policy language matters. Some insurers exclude the breed by name; others exclude any dog with a prior bite history regardless of breed; others use vague 'aggressive breed' language that can be contested. Brian reviews the full policy language — not just the adjuster's verbal denial — before accepting any coverage determination.

How Breed Evidence Strengthens the One Bite Rule Foreseeability Argument

The One Bite Rule requires proving the owner knew or should have known their dog was dangerous. When the attacking dog is a breed with statistically documented aggression history, that evidence can be introduced to establish what a reasonable owner in the same position should have anticipated.



In practice, here is how Brian uses breed evidence in a Hurst dog bite case:

  • As background foreseeability — an owner who chose to keep a breed with a documented 67% share of fatal attacks nationwide cannot plausibly claim they had no reason to anticipate the risk of attack when the dog showed prior aggressive behavior.
  • To establish a heightened duty of care — Texas courts have recognized that owners of breeds known for territorial or protective behavior may be held to a higher standard of care in securing and controlling their animals.
  • As context for jury understanding — juries in Tarrant County understand the risk profile of certain breeds. Brian frames the evidence factually and lets the jury draw the appropriate conclusion about what a reasonable owner should have done differently.
  • To address misidentification — insurance companies sometimes attempt to dispute the breed identification of an attacking dog to avoid a breed-exclusion argument in the coverage dispute. Brian documents breed identification at the scene, in the animal control report, and in veterinary records.

TEXAS BREED-NEUTRAL LAW: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR CASE

Texas Preempts Breed-Specific Legislation — But This Cuts Both Ways


Texas prohibits cities from banning breeds by ordinance. This means a Hurst dog owner cannot be cited or prosecuted simply for owning a pit bull. It does NOT mean:

  • That the breed is irrelevant to civil liability
  • That the owner had no reason to anticipate risk
  • That insurance companies must cover the breed (they are private contracts, not government actors)
  • That a Dangerous Dog designation cannot be sought (it can — based on individual behavior)


The legal framework in Texas is breed-neutral — but the facts of individual cases are not. Brian builds every dog bite case on the specific evidence of what this dog did, what this owner knew, and what a reasonable owner in the same position should have done.


Source: Texas Local Government Code §215.026 (preemption of breed-specific regulation) | Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822 (Dangerous Dog — behavior-based)

TEXAS DANGEROUS DOG LAWS:

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DOG AFTER A HURST ATTACK

Beyond the civil claim, Texas law provides a separate administrative process for addressing dogs that have bitten or attacked people — the Dangerous Dog designation under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822.

Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822 — Dangerous Dog Provisions


A dog may be declared dangerous by a municipal or justice court if it makes an unprovoked attack causing bodily injury or commits unprovoked acts making a person reasonably believe the dog will attack.


Once declared dangerous, the owner must:

  • Register the dog with the city as a dangerous dog
  • Restrain the dog at all times indoors or in a secure enclosed pen
  • Obtain liability insurance of at least $100,000 for dog-caused injuries
  • Have the dog microchipped


A prior Dangerous Dog designation is powerful civil case evidence — establishing the owner had official, documented notice of the dog's dangerous nature before your attack.


Source: Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822

Types of Dog Attacks in Hurst, Texas — An Authoritative Guide

The circumstances of a dog attack determine the applicable legal theories, which defendants bear liability, and what evidence Brian pursues. He has handled all of the following attack types in Hurst and Tarrant County:


1. Neighbor Dog Attacks — The Most Common Hurst Scenario


The most frequent dog bite scenario in residential Hurst: a neighbor's dog escapes, jumps the fence, or is walked without adequate control and attacks a person on the street, in their own yard, or at a neighboring property. Hurst's leash ordinance creates direct negligence liability when the dog is off-leash in violation of city code. Brian investigates the owner's full knowledge history — neighbor complaints, animal control records, HOA records, and prior incidents.


2. Children Dog Bite Attacks


Children under 16 represent 45% of all fatal U.S. dog attack victims and are disproportionately represented in serious injury attacks — particularly to the face, neck, and head. When a child is attacked in Hurst, the damages include not just immediate medical care but potential years of reconstructive surgery, psychological treatment for PTSD, and the long-term developmental impact of disfigurement. The Texas statute of limitations for children extends to age 20 (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.001).


3. Pit Bull, Rottweiler, and High-Risk Breed Attacks


When the attacking dog is a breed with documented attack history, the investigation and legal strategy require specific expertise. Brian addresses the breed insurance exclusion issue immediately, pursues all alternative coverage sources, and uses breed-specific attack data to strengthen the foreseeability argument under the One Bite Rule. He has handled attacks by pit bull-type dogs, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and other high-risk breeds throughout Tarrant County.


4. Delivery Worker and Postal Employee Dog Attacks


USPS workers, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon drivers are among the most frequently bitten people in any community. Texas ranked #2 nationally for USPS dog attacks in 2023. When a delivery worker is bitten on a Hurst property, the dog owner faces liability — and the injured worker may have both a workers' compensation claim and a civil personal injury claim. Brian pursues both.


5. Dog Attacks at Apartment Complexes and Rental Properties


Property management companies and landlords who allow tenants to keep dogs — particularly breeds with documented aggression histories — may bear liability alongside the dog owner when an attack occurs. Evidence: lease agreements, prior tenant complaints, property management communications about the dog.


6. Dog Attacks at Parks and Public Spaces


Hurst's parks, walking trails, and commercial areas see regular dog-human interaction. When a dog attacks in a public space, leash law violations are often straightforward to establish. Witnesses are frequently present. Security cameras at nearby businesses may capture the attack.


7. Off-Leash Dog Park Attacks


Waivers do not eliminate liability when a dog has a known dangerous history. Brian investigates whether the attacking dog had prior incident reports at the park, whether the owner was warned to remove the dog, and whether the park operator had notice of the dog's dangerous propensities.

WHY SMART PEOPLE DO NOT CHOOSE A DOG BITE LAWYER FROM TV

High-volume advertising firms treat dog bite cases as simple, fast-turnaround claims. For a minor bite with a clean wound and a cooperative insurance company, that might work. It does not work when your bite left permanent scarring, when the breed is excluded from the policy, when the insurance company invokes the One Bite Rule and denies liability entirely, or when the case needs to go to trial.


  • You sign up with an investigator. You never speak to an attorney.
  • A case manager handles your file — no One Bite Rule investigation, no breed-exclusion coverage analysis, no trial preparation.
  • The fast settlement covers your first ER visit. It does not cover the second reconstructive procedure, the years of psychological treatment, or the lifetime impact on your child.

Brian Hargrove Law limits how many cases we accept.


Every dog bite case gets full investigation of the owner's prior knowledge, full coverage analysis including breed exclusions, full documentation of present and future injuries, and full preparation for trial.


When you call Brian, you get Brian. No case managers. No hand-offs. No assembly line.

Brian Hargrove Law vs. High-Volume TV Advertising Firms: A Direct Comparison

High-Volume TV Advertising Firm ✗ Brian Hargrove Law ✓
Dog bite files treated as simple auto-settlement claims Every case gets full prior-aggression investigation and coverage analysis
No One Bite Rule investigation — template demand sent Brian investigates owner knowledge: animal control, neighbors, vets, social media
Breed insurance exclusion accepted as denial — case dropped Brian identifies all alternative coverage sources and pursues every dollar
Settlement offered before scarring and future surgery costs known Brian documents all future reconstructive and psychological costs first
Child cases handled same as adult cases — reduced damages assumed Brian builds full lifetime cost picture including developmental impact
PTSD and psychological damages omitted or undervalued Brian works with mental health professionals to document psychological injury
Premises liability and landlord liability angles missed Brian identifies all defendants — owner, landlord, property manager, HOA
Insurance companies know these firms accept low offers Insurance companies know Brian will go to trial — offers reflect reality
High-Volume TV Advertising Firm ✗
Signs hundreds of cases monthly — burn cases treated like car accident files
Case manager runs your file — no burn treatment knowledge
Settlement offered before future medical costs are documented
Early insurance lowball accepted — claim closed before reconstruction costs are known
Comparative fault arguments by insurer left unanswered
Product defect and third-party liability angles missed
No life care plan — settlement based on current bills only
Insurance companies know these firms settle cheap — offers reflect that
Brian Hargrove Law ✓
Limited caseload — every burn case receives full investigative and medical attention
Brian personally reviews all medical records and treatment plans
Brian builds full picture of lifetime cost with medical and vocational experts
Brian refuses inadequate offers — prepares for trial from day one
Brian investigates and counters all liability-shifting defenses
Brian identifies every defendant — manufacturer, landlord, utility, contractor
Life care plan and vocational analysis support full damages argument
Insurance companies know Brian will go to trial — offers reflect that too

Dog Bite Injuries and Compensation in Hurst, Texas

Insurance companies count on dog bite victims underestimating the full scope of their injuries in the days immediately after an attack. The medical reality:

  • Puncture wounds and lacerations — the external wound may appear manageable while underlying tissue, muscle, and nerve damage is extensive.
  • Infection — Capnocytophaga bacteria can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals. Pasteurella infection occurs in ~50% of dog bite wounds. Infection treatment is a significant cost element early settlements fail to account for.
  • Nerve damage — bites to hands and face frequently cause nerve damage affecting sensation, grip, and facial expression. May not be fully diagnosable until weeks after the attack.
  • Scarring and disfigurement — nearly 19,000 reconstructive procedures for dog bite injuries were performed in the U.S. in 2022. This ongoing cost must be fully included in your claim.
  • Psychological trauma — PTSD following a dog attack is clinically documented, particularly in children and severe attacks. Fully compensable under Texas law.
  • Wrongful death — when an attack takes a life, giving rise to a wrongful death claim.


Economic Damages:


  • All past and future medical expenses — emergency care, infection treatment, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, psychological counseling
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
  • Property damage


Non-Economic Damages:


  • Physical pain and suffering — past and future
  • Mental anguish and PTSD
  • Physical disfigurement — permanent scarring is a distinct compensable element under Texas law
  • Loss of consortium — impact on marriage and family


Exemplary Damages:


Under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §41.003, courts may award exemplary damages when the defendant acted with gross negligence or malice — an owner who knew their high-risk breed dog was dangerous, received prior complaints, and allowed it to run free anyway.

WHAT CLIENTS SAY ABOUT BRIAN HARGROVE LAW

REAL CLIENTS – REAL REVIEWS – FULL JUSTICE!

★★★★★  5 Stars

“Hands down the best in the business. I have known of Brian for several years since he had helped my siblings with car wreck cases in the past. So when I was attacked by my neighbor's Pit Bull, of course he was the first person I called once I healed. Him and his team immediately put me at ease and made the entire process as stress free as possible. Brian has spectacular communication skills and made sure that I fully understood everything. I highly recommend Brian and his team!”

Brittany — Dog Attack by Neighbor's Pit Bull | Source: Google Reviews via BrianHargrovelaw.com Dog Bites Blogs

★★★★★  5 Stars

“Don't settle for the loud guys on TV or the radio. Go with Brian — he will call you personally and not treat you as another case. Morals, hard work, and great customer service are hard to find. I went with my gut and found them all here.”

Verified Client — Hurst, TX Area | Source: Yelp — Best Personal Injury Law in Hurst TX

★★★★★  5 Stars

“Brian worked hard on my case to get me ten times the amount the insurance companies were offering. He kept me informed, was very professional and is a real down-to-earth person. If you want someone in your corner, better get Hargrove!”
Verified Client | Source: Avvo.com & TopAttorney.com — Hurst TX Attorney Listings

★★★★★  5 Stars

“Brian Hargrove is one of the most dedicated and hard-working lawyers I know. Many lawyers get low offers because they don't prepare for trial or just don't try cases. Brian does both.”

Peer Attorney Review | Source: Avvo.com Peer Endorsement

People Also Ask: Dog Bite Lawyer Hurst TX



  • Who is the best dog bite lawyer in Hurst, Texas?

    Brian Hargrove of Brian Hargrove Law in Bedford, TX is the top-rated dog bite attorney serving Hurst and Tarrant County. He has 25+ years of experience, an Avvo 10.0 Superb rating, National Trial Lawyers Top 100 designation, and 4.9 stars on Google. He personally handles every case — including pit bull and Rottweiler attacks — limits his caseload and is fully prepared to take homeowners insurance companies to trial.


    Brian is based at 1901 Central Drive, Suite 500, Bedford, TX 76021 — minutes from Hurst. He investigates every dog owner's knowledge history, handles breed-based insurance exclusions, and pursues every available source of compensation. Call (817) 444-4878 for a free consultation.

  • Can I sue if a pit bull bit me in Hurst, Texas?

    Yes. Texas does not ban pit bulls by law, but pit bull owners are subject to the same One Bite Rule liability as any other breed — and the breed's documented attack history (67% of U.S. fatal attacks 2005–2020) can strengthen the foreseeability argument that the owner should have taken greater precautions. The critical issue is whether the owner knew or should have known their specific dog was dangerous.


    One major complication in pit bull attack cases: many homeowners insurance policies specifically exclude pit bull-type dogs from liability coverage. If the owner's policy excludes the breed, Brian immediately investigates all alternative recovery sources — your own UM/UIM coverage, the landlord's policy, a property manager's coverage, or an umbrella policy. A breed exclusion is not the end of your case.

  • What is the One Bite Rule in Texas and how does it affect my case?

    The Texas One Bite Rule, established in Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255 (Tex. 1974), requires proving the dog's owner knew or should have known the dog had dangerous propensities before the attack — based on prior aggressive behavior including lunging, snapping, escaping, or prior biting. The dog does not have to have bitten someone previously.


    Insurance companies use the One Bite Rule as their primary denial tool — claiming no prior knowledge of aggression. Brian gathers animal control records, neighbor accounts, veterinary records, social media evidence, and HOA communications to establish what the owner actually knew. He also pursues independent negligence claims based on leash law violations — providing a second path to recovery.

  • Does homeowners insurance cover pit bull or rottweiler bites in Texas?

    Not always — and this is a critical issue. Many Texas homeowners and renters policies specifically exclude pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Dobermans, and wolf hybrids from liability coverage. If the attacking breed is excluded, the owner's policy may deny coverage entirely. Brian reviews the full policy language immediately and pursues all alternative coverage sources.


    Do not accept a breed-exclusion denial as the final word without independent legal review. Alternative sources Brian investigates: your own UM/UIM coverage, the landlord's liability policy (if the attack occurred on rental property), a property management company's coverage, an umbrella policy, or a third-party defendant's coverage. A coverage denial from one source is not the end of your case.

  • What should I do immediately after a dog bite in Hurst, Texas?

    Seek emergency medical care immediately — dog bites carry serious infection risks including Capnocytophaga and Pasteurella bacteria. Get the dog owner's name, address, and insurance information. Note the breed and identifying information about the dog. Report the bite to Hurst Animal Control or Tarrant County Animal Control. Photograph your wounds immediately and at each stage of healing. Do not give a recorded statement to the owner's insurance adjuster. Call Brian at (817) 444-4878.

  • What if the dog that bit me had never bitten anyone before?

    That is the most common insurance company defense — and it is not automatically fatal to your claim. Prior biting is not required under the One Bite Rule. Evidence of prior aggression — lunging, snapping, escaping, attacking animals, prior animal control complaints — is sufficient to establish owner knowledge. Brian investigates the full behavioral history of the dog.


    Additionally, if the owner violated Hurst's leash ordinance, that violation is independent evidence of negligence that does not require proof of prior biting. And if the attack occurred near rental property, premises liability may provide an additional path.

  • How long do I have to file a dog bite lawsuit in Texas?

    Two years from the date of the bite under Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003. For child victims, the two-year clock does not start until the child turns 18, giving children until age 20 to file (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.001). Missing the adult deadline permanently forfeits your right to sue. Call Brian today — evidence disappears fast.

  • How much is a dog bite case worth in Texas?

    The average dog bite insurance claim in 2024 was $69,272 nationwide. Serious cases involving permanent scarring, nerve damage, infection requiring hospitalization, PTSD, child victims, or wrongful death are worth significantly more. Early insurance offers almost never reflect full case value — they are made before your complete medical picture is known.


    Brian evaluates every case against its actual full value before any settlement is discussed — including future reconstructive surgery, psychological treatment, lost earning capacity, and the specific damages available when a high-risk breed owner's gross negligence opens the door to exemplary damages.

The Clock Is Running. The Insurance Company Is Already Building Their Defense.

Texas Statute of Limitations: 2 Years — Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003


Children: clock starts at age 18 — file by age 20 (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.001)


Miss the adult deadline and your right to compensation is gone. Permanently.

What disappears while you wait: animal control records, neighbor memory of the dog's prior behavior, social media posts the owner may delete, veterinary records, and the window to photograph your injuries at their worst. The insurance company's investigation is already complete. Brian's needs to start today.

FIRM BLOG

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A man and a woman are posing for a picture in a living room
By Brian Hargrove • July 2, 2024
BRIAN HARGROVE | JUL 2, 2024 | DOG BITES “Hands down the best in the business. I have know of Brian for several years since he had helped my siblings with car wreck cases in the past. So when I was attacked by my neighbor’s Pit Bull, of course he was the first person I called once I healed. Him and his team immediately put me at ease and made the entire process as stress free as possible. Brian has spectacular communication skills and made sure that I fully understood everything. I highly recommend Brian and his team!” - Brittany Type: Dog Attack Location: Weatherford, Texas Originally Posted : Google
Read More

You Already Know the Right Move.

That is why you are still reading this instead of calling

the number from the commercial you saw at 2 in the morning.

 

Call Brian Hargrove Law — Today.

A Local Lawyer. Custom Representation.

 

(817) 444-4878


brianhargrovelaw.com 

1901 Central Drive, Suite 500  •  Bedford, TX 76021

 

Free Consultation • No Fee Until We Win • Serving Hurst, Tarrant County, and across Texas