Austin Personal Injury Lawyer - Premises Liability

Man injured by stray golf ball

Staff Writer — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 08:42:53 GMT

Golfer injured by stray ball on Austin Golf Course is suing golfer, coach and school.

According to a report by KVUE News, an Austin man has filed a lawsuit against a student golfer, her coach and her university, after he was hit in the head with a golf ball. The lawsuit states that, without warning, the student athlete from St. Edward's University hit the ball while Cortez was still on the green.

The strike knocked Cortez unconscious and caused other injuries. It claims the student golfer was negligent by not waiting until other golfers left the hole and not warning Cortez the ball was headed in his direction. The suit names the golf coach for not properly training and supervising the student and St. Edward's University for failing to properly supervise the coach.

The attorney representing St. Edward's University said witness statements show Cortez was not on the putting green when he was hit and that the student did yell fore to warn the golfers about the ball. He also said Texas law states a golfer cannot be held liable for such an incident, which was unintentional.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Agressive Dog Owners Beware

Staff Writer — Thu, 08 Dec 2005 10:07:54 GMT

A first time dog owner poses a question in the Austin Chronicle regarding what could happen if his dog bites someone. The question posed was

I'm a first-time dog owner. My friend recently told me that I would have to pay for all damages my dog causes if he ever bites someone. Is this right?

Although I do not disagree with the general answer posted in response to this question, the ultimate issue is what kind of dog are you purchasing, is it an aggressive breed, will the dog be accessible to passing children, will the dog be frequently irritated by other dogs, will the fencing be able to restrain the dog, and would someone who does not "love" dogs mind having their young children playing with this animal. You should also be aware of city ordinances regulating dogs in your area.

The legal responsibility for dog attacks is basically handled on a case by case basis. There is a general obligation to not be negligent. Stated otherwise, there is generally a duty to act as a reasonable person. Taking the factors and circumstances involved in any given situation could subject a dog owner to liability for damages and injuries sustained by a dog attack.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Elderly Woman Killed By Dog Bites In Vicious Attack

Staff Writer — Mon, 28 Nov 2005 20:17:35 GMT

An elderly woman was mauled to death by a pack of dogs while mowing her yard on Saturday afternoon

According to the American Statesman, an elderly woman was mauled to death by a pack of dogs while mowing her yard on Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Stiles, 76, was found lying in her front yard at her home near Thorndale with bites all over her body. She had been attacked by six pit bull-Rottweiler mixed-breed dogs owned by a man living less than 500 yards away, Milam County sheriff's deputies said. A man who stopped to help Stiles also was badly injured by the dogs. He was taken to Scott & White Hospital in Temple, where he was treated for several bites on his torso, right leg and groin and later released.

Stiles died of her injuries, according to the sheriff's department. She may have gotten off the mower and tried to make it to her home when she was attacked. Milam County and Thorndale law enforcement officers took five of the dogs into custody at their owner's residence Saturday night. Officials said that the dogs were euthanized Monday and will be sent to Austin for rabies testing. The sixth dog was shot dead by Stiles' husband, Jack.
The dogs apparently were kept in a pen behind a 3-foot chain-link fence with no top rail. Electric fencing low along the inside of the pen was meant to keep them from digging and getting out.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer