Tennessee, like every other state in the country, is filled with dog lovers, and dogs are as much a part of the culture here as just about anything else. Unfortunately, not all dogs are properly trained or able to handle encounters with strangers, particularly curious children. As such, Tennessee dog bite cases tend to arise that require the help of Nashville dog bite lawyers for those who have been injured. Below is a look at how liability tends to attach when someone is injured or worse in a dog attack.
In most situations, when someone is injured by a dog bite it’s the owner who must be accountable for the harm that’s caused. Dog owners are required by law to protect the public in general from injuries that may be inflicted by their dogs. This is particularly true since the majority of people who are injured in dog attacks are under the age of 18.
However, there are some limited exceptions to this general rule. If someone trespasses onto the property of a dog owner and the dog attacks that trespasser, it could lead to a finding of a lack of liability for the dog owner under basic premises liability rules. While there are other even more limited exceptions, the only logical party to hold responsible for these attacks is the dog owner.
When someone is injured in a Tennessee dog attack, that person can file a Tennessee personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner. If such a claim was filed and was successful, the person who has been harmed or the family of a child who has been harmed can recover damages that compensate the victim for medical costs, lost income if appropriate and for pain and suffering.
However, these cases can be difficult to manage for many reasons, so if you or someone you love has been harmed in a dog bite attack, you need to seek the help of Tennessee dog bite lawyers who have been holding dog owners responsible for this type of harm for years. Contact the Nashville dog bite lawsuit attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation.