After a harmful dog bite incident, the assumption is that the owner of the dog can be held responsible for the victim’s medical bills and other losses. What many people don’t realize is that, in certain circumstances, a landlord could also be held accountable. Understanding landlord liability for dog bites is essential if you were recently bitten in Texas and please contact a dog bite injury attorney in San Antonio.
What Are a Landlord’s Responsibilities?
Landlords and other property managers have a legal responsibility to take proactive steps to mitigate the risk of dog attacks on rental properties. They are in charge of ensuring the safety of all common areas, such as staircases and hallways. They are also responsible for controlling dogs that live on the property.
A landlord’s list of duties includes:
- Prohibiting dangerous breeds, such as pit bulls, and enforcing this rule.
- Vetting new applicants and ensuring they do not possess a restricted dog breed.
- Taking action if a dog’s aggressive tendencies become known to the landlord.
- Promptly addressing complaints from other tenants about the dog.
- Remedying safety issues, such as a broken fence where a dog can escape.
If a landlord becomes aware of a dangerous or aggressive dog on the premises, he or she has the right to require the tenant to confine the dog or force the tenant to move out. A landlord who fails to fulfill his or her care duties can be held liable, or legally responsible, for a related dog bite incident.
When Can a Landlord Be Held Responsible for a Dog Attack?
It is possible to hold a landlord in Texas liable for a dog attack if he or she had knowledge of the dog’s vicious tendencies or history of aggression and failed to take reasonable steps to address the safety issue.
If people have complained about the dog or the dog has already bitten someone, for example, and the landlord negligently allowed the dog to remain on the property, the landlord could face liability for subsequent attacks and injuries.
A landlord can only be held liable if he or she had control over the premises where the dog bite incident occurred, and if the landlord knew – or reasonably should have known – about the potential dangers posed by the animal.
Holding a landlord in Texas liable for a dog bite injury could grant access to greater insurance coverage than a pet owner alone. You may be able to recover the costs of your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
A personal injury attorney in San Antonio can investigate your case to determine whether you have grounds to hold a landlord responsible. If so, your lawyer can gather evidence proving that the landlord breached his or her duty to prevent a foreseeable dog attack.
With help from a lawyer, you can get the medical care you need for your serious injuries and focus on healing while your lawyer handles complex legal matters for you. Your attorney can file your claim against a landlord and/or pet owner, negotiate a fair settlement with an insurance company, and take your case to court, if necessary, for a fair outcome.
To discuss a particular dog bite injury case with an attorney near you, contact Hill Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys.