Tennessee ranked 22nd in the U.S for dog bite claims, according to older data from the Department of Commerce and Insurance. In a single year, 314 dog bite claims were filed in the state, with an estimated value of $11 million.
If a dog bites you, you need to understand what your legal rights are and take your case seriously because there could be a substantial amount of money at stake. Getting legal help from a Knoxville personal injury lawyer is important to prove your claim and recover the compensation you deserve.
A Knoxville dog bite attorney at The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto can help. Our lawyers have been named among America’s Top 100 Attorneys and our legal team has been 98% successful in recovering compensation for clients, including in dog bite cases. We are ready to fight for your rights to full and fair compensation following a dog attack. Give us a call or contact us today at (865) 691-2777 to find out how we can help you.
Common Injuries After a Dog Attack
Dog attacks can inflict severe physical trauma that often requires extensive medical treatment and may leave permanent scars. The combination of sharp teeth, powerful jaws, and aggressive force creates injuries ranging from superficial wounds to life-threatening damage. When multiple bites occur or larger dogs attack, victims face devastating injuries that affect their ability to work and enjoy daily activities.
Common dog attack injuries include:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Facial lacerations
- Broken bones
- Crushed limbs
- Nerve damage
- Torn muscles
- Scarring
- Eye injuries
- Infected wounds
- Amputation injuries
- Psychological trauma
- Permanent disfigurement
What Are The Dog Bite Laws In Tennessee?
If you have suffered a dog bite, you need to understand the laws in Tennessee that apply to your situation. Tennessee Code Section 44-8-413 establishes the rules that govern dog attacks in the state.
According to the relevant statute, “the owner of a dog has a duty to keep that dog under reasonable control at all times, and to keep that dog from running at large. A person who breaches that duty is subject to civil liability for any damages suffered by a person who is injured by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in or on the private property of another.”
This puts the responsibility on the dog owner to prevent the animal from biting. It makes it very clear that when a dog bites, the owner is the one to blame.
The statute also goes on to say, “the owner may be held liable regardless of whether the dog has shown any dangerous propensities or whether the dog’s owner knew or should have known of the dog’s dangerous propensities.”
This is called a strict liability dog bite rule. It is a very favorable rule for victims of dog bite attacks since they do not need to show that the owner was negligent or careless in preventing the dog from biting. As long as the bite incident occurred without provocation and when the victim was in a place that they were lawfully allowed to be, the dog owner should be required to compensate those who have been harmed.
In some states, called “one-bite” states, the rules are much less favorable and only hold dog owners accountable if there was a history of past aggression that gave them reason to believe their dog would bite. Since Tennessee is not a one-free-bite state, those who have been hurt should make certain they get the legal help they need to pursue a claim for compensation any time a dog bites them.
Should You Report Dog Bite Accidents?
When you suffer a bite incident, it’s often a good idea to report the attack to law enforcement. This is especially true if the bite incident was a serious one. Police can take appropriate steps to protect the public and you can ensure you have clear evidence from the police report regarding the attack that occurred and the dog owner’s contact details.
Dogs are not necessarily taken away from owners in every bite incident, so you shouldn’t feel guilty if you file a report — especially if you were seriously harmed. There is a process under the law for determining when a dog is dangerous and what should happen in those circumstances, and it is important that this process take place to protect the public against further harm.
Compensation After a Dog Bite Injury
When you have suffered dog bite injuries, you have one year to bring your claim under the statute of limitations set forth in Tennessee Code Section 28-3-104. You should be compensated for all of your losses resulting from the bite including:
- Medical costs
- Wage loss
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Pain and suffering and emotional distress are considered non-economic damages. Tennessee Code Section 29-39-102 caps compensation for non-economic at $750,000 or $1 million in case of catastrophic injury.
A Knoxville dog bite attorney can help you to prove the extent of your damages, including demonstrating that they meet the definition of catastrophic in appropriate situations.
You need an aggressive Knoxville dog bite lawyer to help you prove how badly you have been harmed so you can get full and fair compensation. This is especially true in circumstances where the bite incident has caused permanent disfigurement or left you facing expensive and painful cosmetic procedures.
How a Knoxville Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You
If you were bitten by a dog in Knoxville, hiring an attorney can make a major difference in your recovery journey. At The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto, our firm will investigate every aspect of your attack to build a strong case for compensation. Your attorney will document the circumstances leading up to the incident, interview witnesses, and begin building a strong case for your maximum compensation.
Expert testimony from plastic surgeons, trauma specialists, and mental health professionals helps establish the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs. Our attorneys maintain a strong network of professionals that we can leverage to strengthen your case and solidify your right to financial recovery.
The aftermath of a dog bite can be traumatic and challenging to navigate alone. Our firm will provide the compassionate support and guidance that you need to get through this time, connecting you with resources to aid in your recovery. We will assign a dedicated relationship specialist to your case who will maintain consistent contact, providing updates and answering any questions that you may have.
Steps to Take If You’re Bitten by a Dog in Knoxville
Dog bites often lead to severe infections, permanent scarring, and psychological trauma. Without proper documentation and prompt action, victims may struggle to recover fair compensation for their injuries.
If you were bitten by a dog in Knoxville, take the following steps to protect your health and preserve your legal rights:
- Go to the Hospital: Seek emergency medical treatment regardless of the bite’s severity. Even small puncture wounds can develop dangerous infections or cause nerve damage that worsens without proper care. Medical treatment also creates records that link your injuries directly to the attack.
- Document the Scene If You Can: Photograph your injuries, the location where the attack occurred, and the dog involved if you can do so safely. Capture any relevant details like broken fences, warning signs, or lack of proper restraints that may demonstrate owner negligence.
- Gather the Owner’s Information: Obtain the dog owner’s full name, address, phone number, and insurance information. If the owner flees the scene, try to write down as much identifying information as you can remember so that you can potentially track them down later.
- Report the Incident to Authorities: File a detailed report with Knoxville Animal Control and local law enforcement. This creates an official record of the incident, which you can use as evidence in your case.
Seek the Help of a Dog Bite Lawyer: Contact a dog bite attorney in Knoxville who can represent your claim and initiate a dog bite lawsuit. By involving a lawyer early, you can preserve crucial evidence and protect your rights during insurance negotiations or early court proceedings.
Let The Knoxville Dog Bite Lawyer of The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto Help You
Dog bites are very serious and a dog attack can change your life forever. You owe it to yourself to find a legal advocate with the experience necessary to fight for your rights. A Knoxville dog bite lawyer can stand up to the homeowners or renters insurance company that is likely going to cover your losses and can negotiate for a fair settlement.
The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto also have litigation experience and are members of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association. We are prepared and ready to go to court if necessary to ensure you are “made whole” and receive the most possible compensation to cover all your losses related to the bite incident.
Contact the Lawyers of Brown and Roberto at (865) 691-2777 today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can put our decades of legal experience to work for you. We only charge legal fees if we win your case, so you have nothing to lose by letting us help you with your claim.