Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites
What is an animal attack or dog bite injury claim?
Animal bite injuries are among the most tragic injuries we see—often leaving a victim with intense pain, permanent scars, and psychological trauma. Even more tragic, children are frequent victims of animal attacks—especially dog bites. Animal bite injury victims commonly suffer from bruising, lacerations and scarring. They may need to take shots to prevent infection and may require ongoing medical treatment. In Kentucky, victims of dog bites may be able to recover for injuries sustained by direct contact with the dog and those sustained in an effort to avoid the attack. Dog bite injury cases fall under the umbrella of premises liability.
What should I do if I have been injured by a dog?
After a dog bite attack, the most important thing to do is seek medical treatment immediately, no matter how minor you think the injury is. Proper medical treatment is imperative for a complete recovery and will help reduce the risk of contracting an infection from the dog bite. Avoiding disease, reducing scarring, and minimizing damage are important aspects of your recovery after an animal bite. Try to get names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the dog attack and get any information you can about the dog’s owner and the animal itself including medical history and breed. Be sure you report the attack to local authorities such as the police or animal control so they can conduct an investigation and impound the dog if needed. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, contact a dog bite injury attorney for a free review of your case.
What if my child was injured by a dog?
If you have been injured in a semi accident, seek medical attention immediately. The police should come to the scene of the accident and file a report. If possible, get names and contact information of witnesses and take photos of the vehicles and scene (such as damage to vehicles, skid marks, road signs, or anything that might have contributed to the wreck). This is especially important in commercial truck accidents as trucking companies sometimes work quickly to destroy vital evidence. Get the name, contact information, license number, trucking company name and insurance details from the truck driver. Write down details of the wreck including date, time, location, what happened to cause the accident and other details while they are fresh on your mind. Notify your insurance company of vehicle damage and injuries you sustained. Do not discuss the accident with the at-fault party’s insurance company before consulting with a semi wreck attorney.
What if I am injured and can’t travel, will you meet me in my home or another location?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack and you can’t come to us, we will meet you at your home, in the hospital, or another location that is convenient for you. We have offices in Glasgow and Bowling Green, Kentucky, but we travel throughout Kentucky and Tennessee to meet with our injured clients. If you have been injured in an animal bite attack, call personal injury attorney Flora Templeton Stuart at (888) 782-9090 twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week.
Who can I seek compensation from in my dog bite injury claim?
With just a few exceptions, Kentucky’s dog bite laws impose strict liability on pet owners. That means the dog owner is generally held liable for injuries caused by the animal, even if the dog has never shown aggressive behavior in the past. If the owner of the dog owns real estate, there will usually be covered under the homeowner’s policy to pay your medical bills. Even if the dog attack occurred off their property, the homeowner’s insurance may still apply. If the dog owner rents his/her residence, they may have renter’s insurance that could cover your injuries or the landlord/property owner may be responsible–depending on the terms of the lease. It is also possible that your personal homeowner’s policy could provide coverage. Be sure you contact an experienced dog bite injury lawyer who can help you get all the benefits you are entitled to.
When is the animal owner not held responsible for a dog attack?
Kentucky has strict liability laws relating to injuries caused by dog attacks, but there are a few cases where pet owners may not be held liable. If the victim of the dog bite provoked the dog to attack or trespassed on private property, the pet owner may not be responsible for the injuries. If you are unsure if you have a dog bite injury claim, contact a dog bite attorney for a case evaluation.
Who do I report the dog attack to?
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, report the incident to local authorities such as the police or animal control as soon as possible. If the attack was severe, call 911. The authorities will investigate the dog attack, possibly impound the dog, and could criminally charge the owner. The results of this investigation are critical to your dog bite injury case.
How long do I have to file suit in my dog bite injury case?
In a dog bite injury case, it is important to retain an experienced dog attack lawyer as soon as possible. Although the statute of limitations is one year from the date of injury, it is important to contact a dog injury attorney immediately so we can investigate the incident and preserve important evidence. We will need to document all injuries with photographs, obtain medical records, and locate any potential witnesses. We also try to get photos of the dog and the scene of the attack to build a strong dog bite injury case for our clients.
What kind of compensation can I expect for my dog bite injury?
If you are injured in a dog attack, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. As with any other personal injury case, a dog bite settlement should take into account the immediate needs of you and your family as well as all future expenses including medical bills, rehabilitation or therapy, lost earning capacity, and long-term care, if needed. You may also be entitled to seek punitive damages (in cases that involve gross negligence or violations of the law), pain and suffering, and other compensation against the at-fault party. In some cases, the dog attack victim’s family may be able to seek restitution for loss of consortium (companionship) or a wrongful death claim if the injuries lead to the passing of their loved one. An experienced dog injury lawyer can help you get all the compensation you are entitled to. Contact our dog bite attorneys for a free case evaluation.
Can I seek punitive damages in my dog injury case?
Punitive damages could only be awarded in cases that involve gross negligence by the at-fault party. Call an experienced dog bite lawyer for a free case evaluation if you think you are entitled to punitive damages for your dog injury.
The insurance company has made an offer for my dog bite injury. Should I accept it?
Never accept any payment from the insurance company before consulting with a dog bite lawyer–especially if you or your loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury. If you accept compensation now, you may be giving up your right to file additional claims in the future. Only an experienced dog attack attorney can help you determine the full value of your case in terms of past, present, and future medical bills, past, and future lost income, and additional losses for you and your family. Call Warren and Barren County, Kentucky personal injury lawyer Flora Templeton Stuart immediately at (888) 782-9090 to investigate your dog bite injury claim.
How do I pay for an attorney in a dog bite injury case?
The Law Firm of Flora Templeton Stuart works on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if you get paid in your truck wreck injury case. Contact Warren and Barren County, Kentucky dog bite accident attorney Flora Templeton Stuart at (888) 782-9090 for a free initial consultation twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week.
