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Dog Bites & Dram Shop Claims
Houston Dog Bite & Dram Shop Injury Lawyer
Somebody else's dog got loose. Or somebody else's bar kept pouring drinks for someone who could barely stand. Either way, you got hurt because someone responsible for a dog or a liquor license didn't do their job, and now you're the one paying for it in doctor visits.
Texas law gives you a way to hold them accountable. Most people just don't know it exists.
*This page is general information about Texas dog bite and dram shop law, not legal advice for your specific situation.
Dog Bite Claims in Texas
Texas doesn't automatically protect a dog owner just because it's "the dog's first bite." If the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, the dog had aggressive tendencies, they can be held liable for what happens next under Texas negligence law.
Owners of dogs already declared dangerous carry even more responsibility under Texas's dangerous dog statute. Bring the medical records, bring photos, bring whatever you know about the dog's history. That's usually enough to start.
Dram Shop Claims: When a Bar or Restaurant Overserves Someone
Under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, a bar, restaurant, or club can be held responsible if they kept serving someone who was obviously intoxicated, the kind of intoxicated where it was apparent to anyone watching, and that person went on to hurt somebody.
These cases get built on things like receipts, surveillance video, and witness accounts of how the person was behaving before they were served. That evidence disappears fast, so timing matters.
Why These Cases Get Ignored, and Why They Shouldn't
People feel strange about these two, more than almost any other kind of case. A dog bite feels like bad luck. Blaming a bar feels like blaming the wrong person.
But the law isn't asking how you feel about it. It's asking who had a responsibility and didn't meet it. If that's what happened here, that's on them, not you.
Why Houston Families Choose McKinnon Law
We won't tell you a dog bite scar or a bar tab is worth more than it is. We will tell you honestly whether what happened to you is something the law can actually help with, and then go build that case if it is.
Talk to a Dog Bite or Dram Shop Attorney in Houston, Free
Frequently Asked Questions
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Generally yes, if the owner knew or should have known the dog could be dangerous, or if a local leash law was violated. A free consultation can tell you if your situation qualifies.
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It's a claim against a bar, restaurant, or club that kept serving alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated, and that person then caused you harm.
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Evidence like receipts, video, and witness statements helps, and it disappears quickly. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the incident.
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Texas follows a negligence standard, meaning liability generally depends on whether the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous, not a strict "one free bite" rule.
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Generally two years from the date of the incident under Texas law, though certain circumstances can affect this timeline. Confirm your specific deadline with an attorney.
Have other questions? Get in touch with us!