The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports that more than 4.5 million people suffer a dog bite attack every year, with over 800,000 requiring medical attention. Unfortunately, about half of these happen to children. While there are many reasons why a dog might react, if your family needs medical care after such an incident, you have a right to seek compensation.
At Pete Olson Injury Law, we have extensive knowledge of personal injury cases and, more specifically, dog bite claims. This is essential to your success in structuring a case that identifies how the incident occurred, features evidence that supports your claim, and assesses what economic and non-economic damages you deserve.
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Why Do Some Dogs Bite?
Contrary to popular belief, a canine’s breed isn’t a predictor of reactive or aggressive behaviors—and responsible ownership by their humans is the best prevention against both. However, the AVMA points out that all dogs have the potential to bite for numerous reasons, such as:
- Being stressed or startled
- Recovering from an injury or illness
- Feeling fearful or threatened
- Protecting something important to them
Even during playtime, an excited pup can bite or nip, which might not be a big deal usually but could result in serious harm depending on the human involved.
Your Protections Under Tennessee Law
Most states operate under one rule regarding dog bites:
- The owner is liable the first time the dog bites, defined as strict liability.
- They’re not liable unless they were aware the dog was aggressive, also known as the one-bite rule.
Tennessee operates under both statutes, depending on the circumstances of the incident. According to Tennessee Code § 44-8-413:
- Strict liability may apply if you or your child was injured while in a public place or on private property with permission when the incident occurred. In this instance, you’re not required to demonstrate the owner’s liability.
- The one-bite rule could be valid if you or your child was on the dog owner’s private, non-commercial property and you can prove they knew their dog would react negatively because they had in a previous incident.
However, this doesn’t mean your case is airtight. You’ll need strong representation from the professionals at Pete Olson Injury Law in dog bite cases because there are numerous exceptions to the rules—and the dog’s owner may raise certain defenses.
When to Hire a Dog Bite Attorney in Clarksville
To ensure you have a detailed claim covering injury-related expenses such as medical bills, extended treatment, reconstructive surgery, lost wages, and counseling, schedule a free consultation with us immediately. At Pete Olson Injury Law, we understand how important it is to have a strategy based on solid evidence and in anticipation of defenses including but not limited to:
- You or your child somehow provoked the dog.
- The animal was protecting his owner.
- You or your child wasn’t allowed on the property or labeled as trespassing.
- The dog was confined in some type of enclosure and couldn’t have reacted.
Contact Our Clarksville Dog Bite Lawyer
Our legal team also knows why you must act swiftly in such cases, as your statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in only one year. Please take a moment to review our testimonials to understand how doggedly we’ll pursue the justice you deserve.
To schedule a consultation with our Clarksville dog bite lawyer, fill out our online contact form by clicking the button above. For immediate assistance, call 1-877-GetPete now!