Dog Bite Attorney in Dallas

Clinical & Technical Insight Applied to Every Dog Bite Claim

Dog bite injuries can be far more serious than they first appear. A wound that looks minor at the scene can involve nerve damage, deep tissue injury, or infection that develops over days. Evaluating the true scope of harm requires someone who can read the medical records, not just the legal theory. That’s the foundation of how we work at Marchand Law.

Our founding attorneys bring 60 combined years of experience to every case they take. Leanna Marchand, BSN, RN, JD, is a former nurse with over 25 years of clinical experience. David V. Marchand, MS, JD, is a former engineer who applies the same analytical discipline to evidence and case strategy. Every dog bite case we handle is managed personally by both attorneys. No associates, no hand-offs.

Texas Dog Bite Law: What Victims Need to Know

Texas doesn’t have a standalone dog bite statute. Liability is governed by case law, most importantly the 1974 Texas Supreme Court decision Marshall v. Ranne, 511 S.W.2d 255. Under the one-bite rule established by that decision, an owner is liable if they knew or should have known their dog had a propensity to bite or act aggressively based on prior behavior.

A prior bite isn’t always required, though. When an owner fails to leash their dog, fails to contain it, or violates a local ordinance, a negligence claim can succeed independent of the dog’s history. Once a dog is formally designated “dangerous” under Texas law, the owner faces heightened requirements, including secure enclosure and liability insurance coverage.

Texas applies a modified comparative fault rule. A victim who is less than 51% responsible for the incident can still recover damages, though the award is reduced by their percentage of fault. Owners commonly raise defenses, including provocation, trespassing, and assumption of risk. We assess these defenses early and build the record to address them.

Injuries & Damages in a Dog Bite Case

Dog attacks produce a range of injuries: deep puncture wounds, lacerations, nerve damage, broken bones, facial trauma, and permanent scarring. Infections are a serious and underappreciated risk. Bacteria including Pasteurella, MRSA, and Capnocytophaga can develop from bite wounds and may require hospitalization and extended antibiotic treatment. Tetanus is also a concern following a puncture wound, and medical evaluation should include an assessment of whether a booster is needed.

Psychological harm is equally real. Anxiety disorders, phobias, and post-traumatic stress are recognized compensable injuries. Victims may be entitled to damages that include:

• Economic damages: Emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, medication, lost wages, and future medical costs
• Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages: Available in cases where the owner knew of the dog’s dangerous history and acted with disregard for others’ safety

Why Dallas Dog Bite Victims Choose Marchand Law

Most personal injury firms rely on outside medical consultants to interpret injury records. We don’t. Leanna Marchand’s nursing background means she can identify when a treating physician underestimated wound depth, missed early infection indicators, or failed to document functional impairment. Those gaps directly affect the value of a damages claim, and they’re gaps many attorneys aren’t equipped to spot on their own.

Both attorneys were trained over more than a decade in anatomy and medicine by experienced, board-certified physicians who had become law partners. That clinical literacy shapes how we investigate injuries, review records, and present harm to an insurer or jury. David Marchand’s engineering background adds a layer of methodical rigor to evidence evaluation and case construction that carries through every stage of litigation.

Our trial experience spans medical malpractice, healthcare fraud, and aviation software defect cases. These are among the most technically demanding matters in civil litigation. A dog bite claim demands the same careful approach: building a complete picture of harm and presenting it with precision. Every client works directly with us, start to finish.

Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Dallas

What you do in the hours and days after a bite shapes both your health outcome and your legal options. These steps matter:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even if the wound appears manageable. Infection can develop quickly, and documented medical records are the foundation of any claim.
• Report the bite to Dallas Animal Services. They can investigate, request vaccination records, and generate an official incident report.
• Get the owner’s contact information and collect names and contact details from any witnesses.
• Photograph your injuries at the time of the attack and continue documenting throughout the healing process.
• Preserve all medical bills, records, and financial documents related to the attack and your recovery.
• Contact a dog bite attorney promptly. Texas personal injury claims carry a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the attack. Acting early preserves evidence and protects your options.

Talk to a Dallas Dog Bite Lawyer Today

A dog bite can leave lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. We work with victims throughout Dallas and surrounding areas, including University Park, to pursue compensation that reflects the harm they’ve suffered. Our medical and engineering backgrounds, combined with decades of high-stakes trial experience, give us the tools to evaluate your claim from the inside out.