Dogs are one of the most common household pets in the United States. Many of them are used to humans and comfortable being around them. But sometimes, dogs don’t have an easygoing temperament. When dogs feel threatened or scared, they can lash out and attack someone, resulting in a dog bite injury. These injuries can be devastating and the experience can be traumatic for everyone involved.
If you or a family member have been the victim of a dog attack or dog bite resulting in serious physical injury, you should contact an experienced Lexington dog bite lawyer from Golden Law Office. You may be entitled to significant financial relief from the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance carrier. One of our skilled and compassionate lawyers will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can cause painful physical injuries and cause emotional trauma. Common dog bite injuries include:
- Puncture Wounds. Dog teeth can usually tear through the first layer of skin. The wounds will probably bleed or bruise and will be sore for a while. Some bites may cause scarring.
- Torn Ligaments or Muscle. Deeper bites can cause serious injuries that reach muscle and ligaments. These wounds usually require professional medical attention and the wound will probably need stitches.
- Infection. If the dog is carrying a disease or the wound isn’t cared for properly, the wound can get infected. Serious infections can come from a dog carrying the rabies or MRSA viruses.
Kentucky Dog Bite Law
Formerly, under Kentucky law, a victim of a dog bite was required to prove that the dog had previously bitten another individual or exhibited dangerous propensities, thereby putting the owner on notice of the dangerous animal. This rule made it difficult for dog bite victims to recover due to a lack of evidence. However, this draconian and archaic rule was eventually overruled by the Kentucky legislature in enacting KRS 258.235:
Any owner whose dog is found to have caused damage to a person, livestock, or other property shall be responsible for that damage.
Now, the rule of law in Kentucky is that a dog owner is strictly liable for any injuries caused by the animal. However, despite this favorable law, the insurance companies may still try to defend rather than pay a fair settlement.
What Makes Dog Bite Claims Politically Difficult?
Even with Kentucky law on your side, dog bite cases are more politically tricky than others. There’s a good chance you may know the dog’s owner. They could be a family member, a close friend, or a neighbor. While you want to hold them accountable because they have a dangerous dog, you also may worry about permanently damaging an important relationship.
While these cases can be awkward or uncomfortable, you have to take care of yourself first. You deserve compensation for your injuries, and you may be depending on it to cover the costs of medical expenses, surgery, or future rehabilitation.
Get Help from a Lexington Dog Bite Lawyer
It is important that you contact an experienced dog bite injury attorney to assist in advancing your case against the dog owner’s insurance company. Golden Law Office previously represented insurance companies defending homeowners for such claims but now exclusively represents victims of dog bite injuries. With this inside knowledge, we know how to properly evaluate your claim. In addition, we know what insurance companies look for to drive increased settlements and jury verdicts.
We offer free consultations to any dog bite victim or their family members. Please call today at (859) 469-5000 as the statute of limitations may be running, preventing you from filing a lawsuit or making a claim. Golden Law Office has the dog bite attorneys Lexington, KY residents trust.
Golden Law is a local, Kentucky Law Firm, attorneys/lawyers in Fayette County, Kentucky, working in the fields of personal injury, auto accidents, car and truck wrecks; medical malpractice: doctors, hospitals & nursing homes; senior living abuse: neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, dehydration, bedsores, catastrophic injuries, and broken bones. If you are considering a lawsuit, call us at 859.469.5000 for a free consultation. We are located at 771 Corporate Dr. Suite 800/ Lexington, Kentucky 40503. We handle cases all over the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We have represented and trained people in major insurance companies & major trucking companies. We have first hand experience and know the ‘inside of the insurance business’ … that’s a distinction that no other law firm can make. We’re Your Advocate. Dale Golden, Laraclay Parker.
