Louisville Dog Bite Lawyer

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 4.5 million people are bitten in the U.S. each year by dogs, with hundreds of thousands needing medical attention. Dog attack injuries can be costly, with ongoing expenses for treatment, time missed from work, and physical or emotional therapy.

Being injured in a dog attack is a serious and traumatic event, and knowing your rights is essential. A dog bite lawyer at Louisville Injury Firm can help you determine who is liable for your injury and understand your options for seeking compensation.

Dog Bite Lawyers Near Me

The Louisville Injury Firm office is conveniently located at 717 Executive Park, St Matthews, KY 40207, and can be reached via Interstate 65 or the 29 Eastern Parkway bus route. We are located near Mall St. Matthews and Norton Healthcare St. Matthews.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

Dogs are often though of as a human’s best friend, but it is important to know that at the end of the day, even well-trained and friendly dogs can still bite. Some of the reasons a dog will bite include:

• Fear: When dogs are scared, they can injure someone out of fear. This is a reaction rather than an intentional act of aggression.
• Provocation: When dogs are provoked, such as being poked or prodded by a child trying to get their attention, they might snap in a moment of self-preservation.
• C-PTSD: Dogs who have experienced trauma may have a condition known as “canine post-traumatic stress disorder.” This is often due to abuse, neglect, accidents, loud noises (fireworks or storms), natural disasters, or stress from being a service dog with military or police units. This can cause a dog to have sudden, unexpected reactions to certain triggers.
• Aggression: A sudden, aggressive movement toward a dog by another animal or a human can cause unexpected behavior. People are often injured when they intervene by trying to get between the dog and the aggressor.
• Play Behavior: Play fighting or wrestling with dogs can have unforeseen consequences and result in a bite or other injury.

How to Treat a Dog Bite

Dog bite injuries can be serious, even when they do not appear to be. You should always seek immediate medical attention for any bite that breaks the skin. You may need stitches, surgery, or treatment to fight infection, such as a tetanus shot or antibiotics.

To care for a dog bite before seeking medical attention, you should take the following steps: 

• Clean your hands before touching the wound.
• Stop bleeding by applying pressure with a clean and dry cloth.
• Wash the wound with soap and running water and flush the wound for 3-5 minutes.
• Apply antibacterial ointment to the wound and cover with a clean bandage.

Common Types of Dog Attack Injuries

While some dog attacks only result in minor punctures, scrapes, and bruises, in severe cases they can cause victims to suffer from lasting complications that require intensive treatment. Injuries can be the result of not just bites, but a victim being knocked or pulled to the ground, or pushed into an object. Serious dog attack injuries may include:

• Spinal Cord Injuries: These injuries can be extremely debilitating, including partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and loss of mobility.
• TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury): Injuries to the head can result in concussions and other cognitive impairments, memory loss, behavioral changes, and chronic headaches. 
• Broken Bones or Fractures: Broken bone and fracture injuries can require multiple surgeries. They may also limit a victim’s mobility and necessitate missing work for an extended period.
• Tissue or Muscle Damage: These types of injuries can cause significant pain and have long recovery times. Physical therapy is often required.
• Scarring or Disfigurement: Disfiguring dog bites can require a lengthy series of medical procedures and surgeries to restore one’s appearance.
• Crush Injuries: These injuries occur when the body is subject to a high degree of pressure and may include broken bones, nerve damage, and other internal trauma that necessitates surgeries and long-term treatments.
• Other Injuries and Conditions: Dog attack victims may suffer from a variety of other injuries and complications, such as rabies, infections, face injuries, back and neck pain, and more.

In addition to physical injuries, a dog attack victim may experience extreme emotional distress that makes performing daily activities difficult.

What is the Most Dangerous Dog Breed in Louisville, Kentucky?

According to the Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS), pit bulls are the most dangerous dog breed in Louisville. Between 2020 and 2024, animal control responded to 3,258 dog bite incidents, with 46% (1,487) involving pit bulls. The next closest breed at 9% (297) were German Shepherds.

What to Do if a Dog Bites You in Louisville, Kentucky

Being bitten by a dog can be incredibly stressful, but knowing what steps to take next can help put your mind at ease. These three steps are critical to embarking on the road to recovery:

1. Observe: Record notes on the dog owner’s actions before, during, and after the incident. Were they surprised? Did they behave abusively toward their dog? This information can help support an official investigation.
2. Question: If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information and their account of what happened. 
3. Report: Seek medical attention promptly. If you visit a clinic or hospital, medical staff will report the dog bite. If you elect not to see a healthcare professional, you must call the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness to report the incident.

How Much Is a Dog Bite Claim Worth in Kentucky?

The value of a dog bite claim will vary from case to case and can be worth anywhere from thousands to hundreds of thousands. This is because settlements account for a wide variety of factors, such as the severity of the victim’s injuries, lost wages, trauma, pain and suffering, and medical expenses.

What is the Dog Bite Statute of Limitations in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, dog bites fall under the same statute of limitations as personal injury claims, meaning that victims have one year to file a suit. Because of this limited time window, it is vital to speak with a dog bite attorney as soon as you are able to after a dog attack.

Louisville Dog Bite Lawyer: FAQs

How bad does a dog bite have to be to sue?

Minor dog bites do not qualify for litigation in most circumstances. Things like the severity of the wound, depth of injury, location of the injury, disfigurement, scarring, and permanent disability all impact the likelihood of a successful dog bite personal injury claim. Considerations are also made for pain, suffering, emotional distress, dog bite supportive therapy and lost wages.

How long does it take for a dog bite settlement?

A dog bite injury settlement can take several months to over a year depending on the complexity of the case. The process may involve an investigation, documentation, discovery, and negotiations with the insurance company and other involved parties.

How long do you have to report a dog bite in Kentucky?

Dog bites should be reported within 12 hours in Kentucky. Medical personnel will report the bite if you seek medical attention. However, you should report the dog bite if you don’t receive medical care. This is a public health safety issue, and it is vital to establish a record of the incident, the dog’s vaccination records, ownership of the dog, and other factors.

Get in Touch With Our Dog Bite Lawyer at Louisville Injury Firm for a Free Consultation

If you have been the victim of a dog bite, contact Louisville Injury Firm. Our dog bite lawyer can help you protect your rights and seek justice by guiding you through the complicated process of dog-related injury litigation. Contact us for a free consultation, and let us walk you through our process with respect and transparency. 

Legally Reviewed By

Gregory Crutcher
Attorney

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