Nashville Dog Bite Lawyer

Many people across the country own dogs as pets or as service animals. While these pets can provide companionship and assistance with certain tasks, they can cause severe harm when aggressive.

Pet owners are required to maintain control of their canine to ensure they do not cause harm. If an owner fails to fence their property, tightly tie a leash, or adequately train their dog, a skilled injury attorney could hold them accountable for any harm their animal causes. Speak with a Nashville dog bite lawyer if you or a loved one were attacked by a dangerous canine.

Holding a Pet Owner Liable in Nashville

In the State of Tennessee, the owner of a dog is responsible for ensuring their pet is under control at all times. Under Tennessee Statute 44-8-413, owners who fail to adhere to this duty could face civil liability for damages caused by the dog.

Damages include pain and suffering, medical costs, property damage, emotional distress, and veterinary bills for other animals harmed by the dog. A Nashville attorney could assist someone bitten by an aggressive dog with recovering all damages, including the need for future treatment, loss of future earnings, and other foreseeable damages stemming from an attack. An accomplished attorney could also identify all negligent parties to maximize the potential recovery. This can include a dog owner, animal trainer, municipality, or product manufacturer if a defective leash or muzzle helped cause the injury.

Unlike states with vicious propensity requirements, Tennessee lawmakers choose to hold dog owners responsible regardless of whether a dog has shown aggressive behavior in the past. This lessens the requirement to hold a dog owner liable.

Exceptions to Dog Bite Rules

Retaining a local attorney is often necessary when litigating canine attack lawsuits in Tennessee because of several exceptions to the typical dog bite laws. These exceptions could potentially result in no liability for the dog owner, meaning the injured party cannot recover compensation. These exceptions include:

• Attacks of criminals by a police or military dog during the course of the animal’s official duties
• Attacks by dogs while protecting its owner or an innocent party
• Bites that occur while a dog was secured in a kennel, crate, or other enclosure
• Bites or attacks that resulted from provocation or threat from the claimant

While in most situations, the dog’s vicious does not need to be proven, it must be shown if the dog attack occurred on private property.

Contact a Nashville Dog Bite Attorney for More Information

A Nashville dog bite lawyer could help you obtain compensation for your losses after suffering an attack from an aggressive canine. The harm an animal bite can cause can be devastating, and often request substantial treatment and therapy for a full recovery.

You have limited time to file a claim, so do not hesitate to seek legal representation. Under Tennessee law, you only have one year from the incident date to file a lawsuit. Failing to satisfy this legal deadline will result in the claim being time-barred forever, regardless of the seriousness of your injuries. Call today.