Dog Attack Legal Services in Tennessee
When someone’s dog bites you without provocation, you have the right to seek compensation. Let Tennessee dog bite lawyer Chadwick Meyers from Meyers Personal Injury Law guide you through the legal process. Recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 40 Under 40 and rated among the best personal injury attorneys in Tennessee, our firm is dedicated to fighting for justice.
Dog bites send numerous people to the hospital each year, causing injuries ranging from minor wounds to severe trauma. Hundreds of dog bite claims are filed annually in Tennessee. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, you have the right to seek compensation. However, understanding Tennessee dog bite laws and how a dog bite attorney can assist with your claim against negligent dog owners is crucial.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries In Tennessee
- Abrasions: Injuries that do not penetrate the epidermis are known as abrasions. Abrasions typically do not result in excessive bleeding, but in severe cases, they can lead to scarring.
- Lacerations: Lacerations such as tearing of the skin and deep cuts are common dog bite injuries that affect the muscles, nerves, and even bones in the worst cases. Dog bites that cause lacerations should be taken seriously, as they can lead to other complications.
- Infections: A dog bite injury that has not been cleaned properly can get infected. These infections result from bacteria in the dog’s mouth that can come in contact with the tissue. Common symptoms of infection include pain, swelling, redness, and pus.
- Puncture Wounds: Punctures are smaller than cuts, but they can be deeper. This kind of injury occurs when the dog’s teeth penetrate the skin.
- Rabies: One of the worst infections you can get from a dog bite is rabies. You can only get rabies if the dog who bites you is not vaccinated. After being bitten, you can ask the dog’s owner if the dog was vaccinated. If not, then you should seek immediate medical attention.
- Tetanus: Although it is not as common as rabies, it is possible to get tetanus from a dog bite. Most dog bites that result in tetanus are contaminated.
- Avulsion: Avulsion injuries are when the dog bites and tears a part of the skin or tissues away. These injuries are serious and can require reconstructive surgery.
- Scarring: Deep abrasions, avulsions, and lacerations can result in permanent scarring, which is a common dog bite injury.
- Nerve Damage: If the injury extends to the nerve, it can lead to temporary or permanent loss of nerve function. In extreme cases, injuries from a dog bite can cause nerve damage, leading to temporary or permanent paralysis.
Dog Bite Statistics
- 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs annually in the U.S.
- Around 15% of dog bite injuries lead to serious infections.
- According to the National Canine Research Council, there were 38 fatalities in 2018 due to dog bites.
- In the United States, no more than 60 or 70 dogs are reported rabid every year, making rabies the least common injury for dog bites.
Dog Bite Laws in Tennessee
Before pursuing dog bite claims, victims should be informed about dog attack laws in Tennessee. If a person owns a dog, they have a legal duty to keep it under reasonable control. Dog owners should also be aware of any natural tendencies of the dog to be dangerous to the general public.
The exceptions to the legal duties of the owner include the following:
- If the injured individual had provoked the dog to bite.
- The injuries were caused by a police or military dog doing its duty.
- The injured individual had been trespassing on the dog owner’s property.
- The dog was confined in a kennel.
- The dog was protecting their owner from an attack by the injured party.
The one-bite rule in Tennessee states that if the injured were bitten on the property of the pet owners, they must prove that the owners knew about the dog’s natural tendencies. If they fail to do so, the owners would not be held liable for the animal attack.
What to Do After a Dog Bite?
Get Medical Attention
Dog attack injuries can be severe. If you get a puncture, laceration, or bruising from the bite, seek medical attention immediately. In extreme cases, you can fall during a dog attack and hit your head, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Refusing or delaying medical treatment after a bite can be bad for your health and your case, especially if you want to recover compensation for your injuries.
Get Information from the Dog Owner
As a dog bite victim, you should collect the dog’s vaccination history from the owner to determine if you need immediate treatment for rabies. If the owner is uncooperative, a Tennessee dog bite attorney can obtain a copy of the vaccination certificate on your behalf. If you are unable to get this information, visit the emergency room immediately to prevent potential life-threatening infections.
Report the Incident
If the dog that bit you was a stray or off its leash on another person’s property, inform local authorities immediately to prevent further attacks. The responding officers can document the dog attack, providing valuable evidence for your case. A Tennessee dog bite lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help you file your claim.
Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in Tennessee?
Dog bite victims have the right to seek compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering by filing a claim against the owner. Typically, victims have one year from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. In Tennessee, you can file a strict liability claim against the dog’s owner if the attack occurred on public or private property where you were lawfully present.
Dog bite claims can be complex, so hiring a Tennessee dog bite lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and hold the owner accountable.
Why You Need to Contact a Tennessee Dog Bite Attorney
A Tennessee dog bite attorney can investigate your case by gathering documentation of the scene, eyewitness testimony, and veterinary records of the dog. They can also check for prior incidents involving the same dog.
Hiring an attorney can strengthen your case by collecting medical bills and other damages to prove the extent of your injuries. A lawyer will also handle negotiations, file paperwork, and protect your rights if the case goes to court.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
Contact Meyers Personal Injury Law to schedule a free consultation with a Tennessee dog bite lawyer. We provide legal guidance to help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, emergency care, and other damages.
The Tennessee dog bite attorneys at Meyers Personal Injury Law are committed to recovering maximum compensation for victims. We recover millions of dollars annually for our clients. Contact us today and let us fight for you!