ATTACKED BY A DOG?
NO FEES UNLESS YOU COLLECT
In the last four years, our firm made Top Verdict’s “Top 50” Personal Injury Settlements in Texas list 44 times, and the “Top 100” list 70 times.
YOU CAN TRUST OUR FAMILY TO FIGHT FOR YOURS™
If you were bitten or attacked by a dog, our skilled Frisco attorneys fight tenaciously to ensure the maximum available settlement while offering you the lowest contingency fee. We handle your case the way we would want our own case handled.
Mullen & Mullen is consistently recognized by TopVerdict for obtaining some of the largest recoveries in the entire state of Texas. In the last 4 years our firm made the Texas “Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements” list 44 times, and the “Top 100” list 70 times. Our stellar results allow us to offer a below industry standard 29% pre-suit contingency fee which means more money in your pocket.
Our experienced local team has an incredibly strong work ethic and truly cares. We’ve been privileged to serve North Texas for over 40 years. This is our backyard. Call (214) 529-3476 now for a free consultation and some excellent advice.
My wife and I are the proud parents of two rescue dogs, Max and Tobey, who have become cherished members of our family. We adore them immensely, and they bring us immeasurable joy.
While most dogs are friendly and bring happiness into people’s lives, it’s unfortunate that some can pose serious threats. I’ve seen haunting photographs of clients who suffered injuries from dog attacks, an image that remains etched in my memory.
When it comes to dog attacks, dog owners can be held responsible for the injuries caused. If an owner is aware that their dog has previously bitten someone or has exhibited aggressive behavior, they can be held liable for any subsequent attacks. It’s crucial to understand that not all dogs are given a “free pass.” Certain breeds, such as Akitas and Pit Bulls, are considered inherently dangerous under the law, making their owners strictly liable for any injuries inflicted by their dogs.
Additionally, many cities and counties have their own animal control laws, often mandating dogs to be leashed. Violating these “leash laws” automatically deems the owner negligent, as a matter of law.
Furthermore, dog owners and handlers are obligated to exercise reasonable care, even with non-aggressive animals, to prevent them from causing harm to others. I vividly remember a case where we represented a five-year-old girl who suffered a traumatic incident. While delivering an item to a neighbor, a small dog, not of an inherently dangerous breed, escaped due to the homeowner’s mother’s negligence. The dog, in its excitement, accidentally scratched the child’s eyelid, necessitating a minor plastic surgery. For a child, this experience was undeniably traumatic.
In cases like these, it’s essential to have legal representation familiar with all potential legal avenues. In the mentioned case, the young girl received a settlement of over $110,000.00, which was placed into an annuity ensuring a minimum payout of $179,864.81 over a specific period. This compensation will support her future college education, and we sincerely wish her the best.
Gross Settlements Before Fees & Expenses
We have achieved numerous multimillion-dollar settlements across all practice areas, but we are restricted from displaying some very large results due to settlement confidentiality. Here are a few recent results without confidentiality agreements:
$6,150,000.00
Work Accident
$4,000,000.00
Wrongful Death
$2,978,104.95
Vehicle Accident
$2,550,000.00
Vehicle Accident
$2,550,000.00
Vehicle Accident
$2,250,000.00
Premises Liability
According to TopVerdict.com, our Dallas attorneys consistently achieve some of the highest recoveries in the state of Texas. As a matter of fact, in the last four years, we’ve made their Texas “Top 50” Personal Injury Settlements list 43 times, and their “Top 100” list 70 times. For example, in 2021 one of our claims made the Top 10 list, eight made the Top 11-20 list, and ten made the Top 21-50 list. When you factor in our reduced 29% contingency fee, we are confident we will help you recover more. At Mullen & Mullen, we pride ourselves on routinely recovering full policy limits for our clients without the necessity of costly and time-consuming litigation.
According to TopVerdict.com, our Dallas attorneys consistently achieve some of the highest recoveries in the state of Texas. As a matter of fact, in the last three years we’ve made their “Texas Top 50 Personal Injury Settlements” list 43 times. For example, in 2021 one of our claims made the Top 10 list, eight made the Top 11-20 list, and ten made the Top 21-50 list. When you factor in our reduced 29% contingency fee, we are confident we will help you recover more. At Mullen & Mullen, we pride ourselves on routinely recovering full policy limits for our clients without the necessity of costly and time-consuming litigation.
We have access to state-of-the-art diagnostic technology through well-established relationships with medical doctors, surgeons, physical therapists, chiropractors, neurologists, counselors, and other healthcare providers in the entire DFW Metroplex. You receive the quality medical attention you need from local providers near where you live or work. These providers specialize in treating people hurt in accidents of all kinds and they know how to properly document injuries to meet the legal burden of proof in your personal injury case. These providers are also willing to delay billing collections until after your case is resolved so you can focus on recovering without additional stress. Physicians that don’t routinely treat accident victims as part of their practice usually turn away patients over fear of being involved in the legal process or fear of health insurance companies refusing to pay accident-related healthcare bills. Please call us at 214-747-5240 for a free consultation and some advice.
Even if you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford your deductible, Mullen & Mullen will secure you the quality healthcare and state-of-the art diagnostics you deserve with no upfront out of pocket costs.
Shane, Joseph and Regis have almost 100 years of combined experience practicing personal injury law. That doesn’t even include the combined experience of the attorneys that serve as of-counsel to Mullen & Mullen at no additional cost to our clients. Our firm continues to evolve, but we never forget our Core Values. We do the right thing, handle cases the way we would want our own case handled, and we truly listen to clients. We have over 40 years of local knowledge, and that matters!
Some lawyers forget that they represent the client, but we never have. Our legal team will make YOU the priority. You are the boss, and we will respond quickly to your requests for case updates and assistance. We guarantee that when you need to speak to your counsel, you will speak directly to your counsel, not to a paralegal or secretary, because that’s the way it should be.
Most firms hire an investigator to help develop evidence on your case and charge you back for that service. Our firm, however, has 2 full-time accident investigators on staff and we offer their services to you for free. This is another way we will maximize your compensation.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Video footage is worth a lot more. Our in-house videographer allows us to capture the true impact the accident has on your life beyond mere words on a piece of paper.
When necessary, Mullen & Mullen Law Firm uses cutting edge technology like 3D imaging videos to fully demonstrate the extent of our clients’ injuries to the insurance companies. This also helps maximize the value of your claim.
Mullen & Mullen’s attorneys live and work right here in Dallas, and always have. We believe in paying our success forward by helping people in the North Texas community, and are dedicated to supporting these local charities.
Our Managing Partner, Shane V. Mullen, has been handling personal injury cases for 21 years. He is “Top-rated” by Thompson Reuters who named him as a Texas Super Lawyer 3 consecutive years. Shane is also a lifetime member of both the Million & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums, solidifying his expertise in handling significant cases. He is also an esteemed member of Rue Ratings’ Best Attorneys of America, further attesting to his exceptional legal prowess. Shane brings hard-won, battle born knowledge to your case.
With 18 years of personal injury experience, Attorney Joseph R. Morrison has established himself as a highly skilled legal professional. Notably, he served as counsel of record in a case that garnered recognition from VerdictSearch.com as a top 5 Premises liability (slip and fall) verdict in Texas. The defendant in this case was a Fortune 500 company with an annual revenue exceeding 11 billion. The specific case, Jeffrey Young v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., showcased Joe’s exceptional abilities in achieving favorable outcomes.
Joe is a distinguished member of The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers, solidifying his standing among the nation’s most esteemed legal practitioners. Furthermore, his membership in both the Million & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums further attests to his expertise in handling substantial cases.
Both Shane and Joseph are lifetime members of the Million & Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums, meaning they have each settled cases in excess of two million. This solidifies their expertise in handling significant personal injury cases.
Our Founder, Attorney Regis L. Mullen, has 56 years of personal injury experience. Regis received his Admission to practice law in 1967. Previously a Litigation Supervisor at Allstate Insurance Company, he knows all the tactics liability carriers use to deny or reduce personal injury settlements. Drawing upon his profound comprehension of the inner workings of the insurance industry, Regis established a law firm dedicated to meeting the legal needs of injured individuals in North Texas.
We’d like to tell you that you should focus on protecting yourself and taking care of your injuries. Unfortunately, you need to focus on gathering evidence too if you can.
You can get the most useful evidence in the moments immediately following your dog bite. The longer you wait, the more likely evidence will disappear or be destroyed.
If someone else’s dog bites or attacks you, you should:
You may or may not need emergency medical care. If you don’t think you do, you should at least visit your doctor within a few days after your dog bite. This gives you legal protection, evidence, and credibility, all of which you may need later.
Shoot as many images as you can. Focus on your injuries or torn clothes. Make sure you have images of the general area that could show the dog owner failed to adequately restrain their dog. It would also be wise to shoot a video and narrate the story as it happened from your perspective.
This includes medical bills, receipts, medical products you buy, insurance company letters, and emails. Don’t worry about organizing them. Just keep them all in the same place so they aren’t lost.
Make sure you have the name, phone number, and physical address of the dog’s owner. Get the same from any witnesses and neighbors. They may be able to testify that the dog’s behavior had been aggressive in the past.
Store them safely in a garbage bag or box. And do not wash them…that could destroy valuable evidence!
You may unwittingly destroy your ability to recover compensation for your injuries.
Have you or your child fallen victim to a dog bite in Frisco? If so, you’re likely grappling with severe physical pain, enduring injuries that may take weeks or months to heal, possibly leaving lasting disfigurement.
Beyond the physical toll, there’s the emotional trauma. The fear of encountering an unrestrained dog during a nightly walk or the uneasy tension around even friendly dogs may linger. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not uncommon among dog bite victims, amplifying the psychological distress following an attack.
For child victims, a lasting fear of dogs can persist, and the mental anguish resulting from a vicious dog attack leading to permanent disfigurement is beyond imagination.
Adding to the burden is the financial fallout. Mounting medical bills become a source of stress, and uncertainty surrounds how to settle them while meeting other obligations. The dog owner’s insurance company may delay or deny payment, leaving you responsible for expenses that weren’t your fault.
In moments of hopelessness, it’s crucial to recognize that dog bites happen, often due to inadequate training, supervision, or restraint by owners.
Our Frisco lawyers aim to hold dog owners accountable for your injuries, striving to demonstrate:
Dog owners should maintain liability insurance, typically covered by their homeowner’s insurance policy, ranging from $100,000 to $300,000. To navigate these complexities, enlist the support of the best Frisco dog bite lawyers. Contrary to common belief, you can afford top-notch legal representation, as injury lawyers operate on a contingent fee basis tied to the final settlement value—you pay only if your Frisco dog bite case settles.
Not necessarily. Despite common beliefs, being bitten by a dog in Texas doesn’t automatically entitle you to compensation from the owner or their insurance company. Texas dog bite law typically requires proof that the dog has a history of aggression and that the owner was negligent in some way. There is an exception if you are bitten by an inherently dangerous breed, such as Pit Bulls or Dobermans.
The amount of compensation varies based on the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. Your level of responsibility in the situation is also a factor. For instance, if you provoked the dog, Texas comparative negligence law may reduce your compensation based on your percentage of fault.
Owners, or their representatives, often claim they had no prior knowledge of the dog’s aggressive behavior or history of biting. Merely being bitten does not guarantee automatic compensation, highlighting the importance of having a skilled Frisco dog bite injury lawyer handle your case.
Not necessarily. You bear the burden of proof, and winning a case isn’t guaranteed. Liability alone may not ensure compensation, as insurance coverage factors, such as breed exclusions, can come into play.
In most cases, you’re filing a claim against your friend’s homeowner’s insurance, not against them personally. A true friend or family member would want you to be fairly compensated for your damages. If their dog caused your injuries and they resist fair treatment, they may not be genuine friends.
While nobody plans for accidents or injuries, understanding the realities of Texas dog bite law helps you protect yourself. If you find yourself a victim of a dog attack, contact our Frisco dog bite lawyers today for a free consultation at (214) 529-3476.
Texas adheres to a somewhat peculiar “one free bite” rule concerning liability for dog bites. It’s important to note, however, that this doesn’t grant dog owners immunity in every situation.
Let’s consider a scenario where you’ve been bitten by a dog. Is the owner accountable financially? Perhaps.
While we’d prefer to provide straightforward “yes” or “no” answers, the legal landscape is more nuanced. The specific details of your case will influence the outcome.
Typically, owners receive legal protection for their dog’s initial bite, unless liability can be established on other grounds. Essentially, if it’s the dog’s first bite, and there were no prior indications of aggressive behavior, the owner might not be financially responsible for your injuries.
Common defenses include the owner’s lack of knowledge about the dog’s past aggressive tendencies, or the assertion that you were a trespasser or acted negligently.
As the plaintiff, you bear the burden of proof, needing to show it’s “more likely than not” that the owner was negligent or that one of the exceptions mentioned applies.
Owners who allow their dogs off-leash without supervision, especially in areas covered by leash laws, are likely to be deemed negligent. This holds true if a “leash law” is in place, making the owner “negligent per se” – inherently negligent under the law.
However, negligence can take various forms. For instance, if a larger dog knocks down an elderly individual, breaking bones, the owner may be considered negligent for failing to keep the dog at a safe distance.
Unlike “strict liability” states, Texas doesn’t automatically hold owners responsible unless the dog belongs to an inherently dangerous breed.
If uncertain about dog bite responsibility, seek a free consultation with an injury lawyer for clarity on your rights. Contact our Frisco dog bite attorneys at (214) 529-3476 for assistance.
To succeed in a Frisco dog attack lawsuit, you must demonstrate that the owner knew or should have known their dog posed a threat but failed to take ordinary precautions.
Indications that an owner should have known about their dog’s aggressiveness include:
However, these factors alone do not prove liability; they serve as evidence. Establishing a clear pattern of aggressive behavior is crucial to proving the owner’s awareness.
For a detailed consultation on your potential dog bite case, contact our Frisco lawyers at (214) 529-3476.
Regrettably, Texas holds a prominent position in less-than-desirable statistics. The state consistently ranks among the most perilous in the nation, and in some years, claims the dubious title of the most hazardous in terms of severe dog bite injuries and fatalities.
Data compiled and disclosed by DogsBite.org sheds light on the alarming frequency of dog attacks resulting in significant harm and even death.
In 2015, Texas topped the nation with a distressing total of 5 fatalities. Moreover, from 2005 to 2013, the state maintained its lead with a staggering 34 deaths.
Current data indicates that Texas continues to be among the frontrunners in such incidents this year.
One heartbreaking account is that of Johana Villafane, who met a tragic fate while visiting her pit bulls during their quarantine at O’Connor Animal Hospital. The dogs had been placed in quarantine following an incident where they had bitten a man just 8 days prior.
The severity of their aggression was such that the animal hospital, unable to manage the dogs themselves, requested Villafane to walk them, leading to the devastating mauling that resulted in her untimely death.
Not all dogs are inherently dangerous, yet some breeds may pose a higher risk. With proper training and attentive ownership, many dogs can be well-behaved. However, it’s essential to recognize that some dogs, when not appropriately trained, can exhibit aggressive behavior, potentially leading to bites and attacks on innocent individuals.
While it’s crucial not to generalize based on a dog’s appearance or behavior, certain breeds have gained notoriety for being associated with aggressive incidents. Meeting a dog with its owner is often advisable to establish trust and avoid perceived threats. Here are some breeds commonly recognized for their potential danger:
Frequently making headlines for aggressive behavior, pit bulls encompass various breeds like the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and American Bulldog. Originally bred for bull and bear baiting, as well as dog fighting, they may display aggressive tendencies if not properly trained.
Known for their historical role in driving cattle for the Roman army, Rottweilers can have a strong temperament. Effective ownership requires a calm, assertive approach to help manage their emotions and prevent aggressive behavior.
Initially bred to assist shepherds in protecting flocks, German Shepherds have also served as loyal guard dogs. While they can be friendly with proper training, their behavior heavily depends on responsible ownership.
Originally bred by a German tax collector for protection during door-to-door work, Doberman Pinschers have a history tied to their guardian role. Responsible ownership is crucial to ensuring they do not exhibit aggressive behavior.
It’s essential to understand that nearly every dog, irrespective of breed, can make an excellent family pet with proper care. However, certain breeds, due to their genetic predispositions, may have a higher likelihood of aggressive behavior. In Texas, certain breeds, such as Pit Bulls, are considered inherently dangerous, and owners are expected to be aware of the potential risks. If you’ve experienced a dog bite, seeking advice from a qualified personal injury lawyer is recommended.
Although rare, dog attacks can occur unexpectedly. Are you prepared to handle one or stop it if you become a victim? Learn the essential steps to take in such a situation.
Texas leads the nation in fatal dog attacks, and while dog bites are common, a full-scale mauling is fortunately infrequent.
Predicting a dog’s intention to attack is challenging, as not all display overt signs such as growling, lunging, snarling, or baring teeth. Some dogs may exhibit more subtle behaviors, like momentarily freezing their entire body.
Follow these guidelines:
Consider the following tactics:
Successfully preventing or surviving a dog attack requires a composed demeanor in a high-pressure situation. While encountering an aggressive dog alone is an undesirable scenario, being aware of the appropriate actions can empower you to respond effectively if the need arises.
Call (214) 529-3476 to talk to a Frisco dog bite attorney right now. We won’t put any pressure on you to hire us on the spot. Simply learn how we’ll approach your case and get some excellent free advice. Make your decision only when you feel 100% ready. Do remember though, that the Texas statute of limitations gives you just 2 years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
We’ll come to your home or hospital room if it makes it easier on you! Phone and Zoom consultations are also available. You can call us, or use the form or chat feature on this page to request a free consultation now.
Seriously Hurt? We’ll Come to You!
FRISCO OFFICE
Mullen & Mullen Law Firm in Frisco, TX
2770 Main St #258
Frisco, TX 75033
(214) 529-3476
The Mullen & Mullen family is here to address your concerns and make the path to recovery smooth. There are no fees to get started and you pay $0 if we don’t settle your case.
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LICENSED BY THE STATES OF TEXAS & MISSOURI FOR THE GENERAL PRACTICE OF LAW. The information on this website is not intended to be legal advice. That can only come from a qualified personal injury lawyer who is familiar with all the circumstances and facts of your specific case and the law relevant to it.
