How Is Liability Determined in a Nashville Dog Bite Case?
There are several different factors that come into play when determining liability in a dog bite accident. It is important to consider details such as where the bite or attack occurred, whether the victim was lawfully on the property, and the dog’s history of aggression.
Tennessee follows “strict liability” laws, meaning that owners can be held personally liable for any injuries caused by their dog regardless of their prior behavior. If a dog bites somebody in a public place or attacks someone who is lawfully on the owner’s property, the owner is strictly liable.
However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. For instance, the dog owner may not be held legally responsible for any injuries if the victim:
- Provoked and antagonized the dog
- Was trespassing at the time of the accident
- Was committing a crime
While owners typically take primary liability after a dog bite, they are not the only ones who may be held liable for injuries. Other parties that may share responsibility for a dog bite or attack in Nashville include property managers, landlords, or caretakers who knowingly allowed a dangerous dog on the premises. In some severe cases, the forceful impact may result in
traumatic brain injury, adding further complexity and seriousness to the victim’s injuries and potential claims.
- Caretakers: Many dog owners in Nashville rely on the assistance of dog sitters, pet walkers, and boarding facilities to care for their pets. If a caretaker was in control of your dog at the time of the attack, they may be held liable for ensuing injuries, especially if they were negligent in handling your dog or failed to take the necessary precautions. Knowingly allowing a dangerous dog to roam freely off a leash is also a sign of negligent caretaking.
- Property owners: Landlords, businesses, or homeowner associations in Nashville that allow a dangerous dog on premises can be held liable for injuries if they knew the dog was aggressive and failed to take action.
- Parents: If a dog’s owner is a child or a minor, the parents or legal guardians of the dog owner can be held responsible under Tennessee law.
Most commonly, it is the dog’s direct owner who will be responsible for any bites, attacks, or injuries inflicted by their dog. If you have been bitten and injured by a dog in Nashville, Tennessee, we urge you to reach out to Glenn Injury Law today and explore your legal options.
Craig Glenn and the team at Glenn Injury Law have experience identifying responsible parties and holding them accountable for their reckless or negligent behavior. Working with an experienced dog bite attorney like Craig Glenn will allow victims of these attacks to seek compensation for their injuries.
Nashville, Tennessee Dog Bite Laws
Tennessee applies both strict liability and negligence-based liability in dog bite cases.
Strict liability means that a dog’s owners will be held liable for bites and attacks that occur in public places as well as private properties where the victim was lawfully visiting.
Negligence-based liability implies that if the bite happens on the owner’s private property, the victim must prove that the owner acted negligently or failed to take the proper precautions to prevent the attack.
There are important legal considerations that dog owners or caretakers in Nashville should be familiar with:
- Leash laws: Tennessee has a statewide leash rule, meaning dog owners and caretakers in Nashville and beyond must have their dog on a leash at all times when in public spaces. If a dog is off-leash at the time of an attack or bite, it could serve as useful evidence that the owner was acting negligently.
- Dangerous dogs: In Nashville, if a dog has bitten somebody in the past, it is often labeled as a “dangerous dog.” A dog that either seriously injures or kills a person without provocation is considered a “vicious dog” in Tennessee.
- Statute of limitations: In Tennessee, animal control departments will typically investigate a dog bite within 24 hours. However, for victims interested in filing a lawsuit, you will have one year from the date of the bite or attack to pursue legal action.
Tennessee also abides by the “one-bite rule.” This rule dictates that if an owner’s dog has bitten somebody in the past, it is now entirely up to the owner to restrain their pet and prevent future attacks. The one-bite rule typically only comes into play when the bite or attack happens on the owner’s private property, whereas bites that happen in public places adhere to the strict liability laws, making the owner automatically liable. This can make it difficult to claim compensation as it requires a victim to prove that the owner was negligent in allowing the bite to happen.
Which Dog Breeds Tend to Bite the Most?
Under certain circumstances, any dog can bite somebody. However, there are certain breeds that tend to be involved in aggressive incidents more than others. Many people are aware that pit bulls bite more people than any other dog, though “pit bull” is technically not a breed. Some of the most common breeds associated with dog bite injuries and personal injury claims in Nashville include:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Rottweiler
- German Shepherd
- American Bulldog
- Bull Mastiff
- Siberian Husky
The injuries that a dog bite victim may suffer typically vary depending on the size and age of the dog. Many of these breeds have powerful bites and can be dangerous if they become too aggressive. A dog may choose to bite if they are being provoked or teased, though many bites also occur due to a lack of training, neglect, or even abuse. In some severe cases, this may result in
wrongful death caused by the owner's negligence, highlighting the serious responsibility that comes with pet ownership.
What Happens to a Dog After Biting Someone?
Tennessee law requires that the dog be quarantined for 10 days after biting somebody in order to monitor for rabies or other diseases. Dogs that have been deemed dangerous after biting someone may face certain consequences, such as:
- Mandatory muzzling
- Leash restrictions
- Fines and citations
- Euthanasia
Euthanasia is usually reserved for serious incidents, such as when a dog severely injures or kills another person. If a dog has a history of multiple attacks, their chances of being euthanized increase with every instance. After quarantining for the required 10-day period, animal control will conduct an investigation and evaluate the risk.
Other Types of Dog Attacks
Dog bites can be traumatizing and result in serious injury, though dogs can also hurt people in other ways. Other common types of dog attacks include:
- Knocking someone down: Large or aggressive dogs can seriously hurt somebody by jumping up on them and knocking them down to the ground. These attacks often cause broken and fractured bones and concussions.
- Clawing: A dog’s claws can cause serious damage, often leading to lacerations, infections, and scars after an attack.
- Children or elderly victims: Even minorly aggressive behavior can cause serious harm to vulnerable victims such as babies, small children, and elderly individuals.
Regardless of the nature of the injury, our team is here to help injured victims in Nashville recover compensation and seek justice when a dog owner’s negligence has caused them injury.
Common Injuries from Dog Bites
A dog that bites or attacks an unsuspecting and defenseless individual can cause serious harm and injury. It is estimated that nearly half of all Americans have experienced a dog bite at some point in their lives. Not only can these attacks be emotionally damaging and cause victims to develop a fear of dogs, but they can also cause serious damage. Some injuries that dog bite victims most commonly suffer from include:
- Puncture wounds: Dogs have sharp teeth and when they penetrate the skin, they can cause damage to the muscles and nerves. Puncture wounds commonly trap bacteria underneath the skin and can easily lead to infection. Severe bites can also cause lacerations that require stitches, grafts, or surgeries to repair the wound.
- Fractures and broken bones: These injuries are more common during knock-down incidents, when a large dog forces a person to fall and hurt themselves. Sometimes, the force of a bite is also strong enough to break or fracture a bone. Victims may suffer broken wrists, arms, and ribs, and they may even fracture their skill or suffer a concussion if their head hits the ground hard enough.
- Scarring: Bites that are severe enough may require victims to seek reconstructive surgery. A dog bite can leave a victim’s face, arms, legs, and hands scarred or disfigured after a serious attack.
- Infections: We mentioned how deep punctured wounds can lead to infections due to the wide range of bacteria that dogs carry. After a dog bite, victims often suffer from infections such as:
- Rabies
- Tetanus
- MRSA
- Cellulitis
No matter your injury, Craig Glenn and the team at Glenn Injury Law are prepared to step up when a dog or a dog owner’s negligence has caused you harm in Nashville. Craig Glenn is the dog bite attorney that you can trust to provide you with compassionate and winning legal support.
How Can a Lawyer Help in a Nashville Dog Bite Case?
Nashville dog bite cases can be tricky. If you have been attacked and injured by a dog in Nashville or any of its surrounding cities, you need an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who is going to fight for you every step of the way. At Glenn Injury Law, we offer the unique, personalized attention that many of the larger firms are unable to. Our firm can help by:
- Investigating the accident: We work closely with our clients to gather medical records, witness statements, and other pieces of evidence that help strengthen your case.
- Determining liability: Our team will use all available resources and evidence to identify a responsible party after the incident.
- Taking legal action: If we are unable to make any serious advancements in negotiations, our team is prepared to help you file a lawsuit to pursue the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
- Recovering compensation: After a serious accident, a personal injury attorney like Craig Glenn can help you secure compensation for economic and noneconomic damages relating to your accident, including compensation for:
- Medical bills: Surgeries, grafts, and other medical treatment after a dog bite can be pricey and add up quickly.
- Lost wages: If your injuries are severe enough to keep you from returning to work, our team can help you recover past and future lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: Dog bites and attacks can be traumatic and cause victims great mental anguish. Victims often develop a fear of dogs and may even have a reduced quality of life due to their injuries.
- Disability: If the dog bite or attack has caused a long-term disability or results in permanent impairment, our team can help.
At Glenn Injury Law, we have a great deal of experience negotiating with Nashville insurance companies who may try to lowball you and offer an insulting settlement. If an insurance company either denies your claim or tries to offer you a lower settlement than you deserve, our team can communicate and negotiate with them to secure you the best possible outcome.
We also offer invaluable legal support in many other areas of personal injury to those in Nashville and throughout Tennessee, including:
With Glenn Injury Law, it’s not about reaching a quick settlement; it’s about making a serious difference in our client’s lives. For more information about how an experienced Nashville dog bite attorney can help make a significant impact on your case, call us today and schedule your free consultation.
Contact Us Today for Legal Support After a Nashville Dog Bite
If you have been bitten, attacked, or injured by a dog in Nashville, Tennessee, trust the team at Glenn Injury Law to provide the legal representation you need to secure the maximum compensation and recover from your injuries. With decades of experience successfully representing victims of catastrophic injuries in Nashville and throughout the state of Tennessee, Craig Glenn is well-equipped to handle your dog bite case with compassion and finesse.
At Glenn Injury Law, we recognize the emotional, physical, and financial impact that a dog bite or attack can have on you and your family. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay unless we are able to reach a favorable outcome.
For more information about how Glenn Injury Law can make a serious difference in your Nashville dog bite case,
call us today or connect with us online and schedule your free consultation with no obligation.
