Many people love dogs and have them as pets. They are loyal, friendly, and safe most of the time. However, all it takes is one second for a dog to become dangerous and cause a serious injury. Dog bites can do severe damage to your body, your psychological health, and your finances. The resulting infections, scarring, and tissue damage can also have unexpected long-lasting effects that leave you with growing medical bills.
These injuries, and more, may be compensable with the help of a Board-certified personal injury attorney. Give the Law Office of David E. Gordon a call today to find out how having a Bartlett dog bite lawyer on your side can help.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite Injury
Immediately after a dog bite, the most crucial step is seeking medical attention. These bites are dangerous not only because of the damage that is visible, but also due to unseen injuries like infections, and nicked arteries or blood vessels. Emergency and follow-up medical care may be necessary to protect a person’s health. An injured person should also take these steps to protect their rights and to help with any civil claim that they file:
- Determine who the dog’s owner is and get their contact information
- Take pictures of the injuries
- Exchange insurance information when possible
- Get names and contact information from witnesses
- Keep all medical records, documents, and other evidence
- Document time lost at work due to the injuries
Following these steps could result in being awarded compensation for medical bills, as well as pain and suffering. Speaking with a Bartlett dog bite attorney as soon as possible is also key to ensuring the best possible legal outcome for the injured individual.
What Are the Dog Bite Laws in Bartlett?
Tennessee Code § 44-8-413 creates a strict standard for dog owners that states a dog must be kept under reasonable control at all times, and kept from running freely onto private property without consent or other places open to the public such as roads, streets, highways, et cetera. When a dog owner fails to do this, they are held liable for their dog’s actions and any injuries caused by their dog, even if the dog has shown no prior dangerous tendencies.
A different standard applies if the bite happens while on the dog owner’s property. This falls under compliance with the “one bite rule” that requires the injured person to prove that the dog owner knew or should have known of the dog’s propensities for violence and aggression.
Dog Bite Law Exceptions
It is important to note that there are some exceptions to owner liability for dog bites. These include:
- When a police or military dog is protecting someone from being attacked
- If the injured person teased or provoked the dog
- If the individual who was bit was trespassing on the owner’s property at the time of the injury
A knowledgeable attorney like David understands that many people will raise these exceptions even when they do not truly apply. This is a common tactic a Bartlett dog bite attorney can help overturn.
Get Help from a Bartlett Dog Bite Attorney
Dog bites can leave lasting physical and emotional damage. You deserve compensation for these injuries when the dog’s owner is to blame.
Let an experienced Bartlett dog bite lawyer seek compensation on your behalf after an attack. Schedule a free consultation with a lawyer from the Law Office of David E. Gordon today.