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Serious Injury from an Attack? Send the owner a message!
Vicious Dog Attacks
 If you have been attacked by a dog in Tennessee and suffered serious injuries we
may be able to help you recover compensation for the damages that you have
sustained and help send a message to the dog's
owner!
While Tennessee does not have a "dog bite statute" the owner of a dog is
still liable under general negligence theories of law. The statute of
limitations in Tennessee for such claims is one (1) year from the date of the attack.
At Harris Law Office we offer attorneys and support staff who are trained to
handle personal injury claims. Our objective is to not only pursue recovery of
the damages to which you are entitled but also to help protect the community
from having such an attack occur again in the future.
What type of Dog Bites?
Dog attacks cause approximately 4.5 million injuries annually, 800,000 of which
require medical attention. That is roughly 1 out of every 5-6 attacks.
At least 25 different breeds of dogs have been involved in the 238 dog
bite-related fatalities in the United States. Tennessee is one of the top 10 states
for dog related deaths in the United States.
Pit bulls and Rottweilers reportedly account for over half of these deaths. This does not
mean these types of dogs are more prone to bite, but quite simply because of
their pure strength, when they do attack they generally cause more damage. The
attorneys at Harris Law Office understand responsible dog ownership. The
attorneys have or have raised Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, and German Shepard as personal
pets. We know that generally dog related deaths and serious injuries are the
result of an inattentive or poorly trained owner.
24% of human deaths from dog bites involve unrestrained dogs that attack off of their owners' property.
There is simply no excuse for such actions. Dogs will be dogs. But it is the
owner who must take responsibility and control their dog.
58% of human deaths from dog bites involved unrestrained dogs on their owners' property.
Likewise, you need to take notice of your surroundings. Is there a warning sign?
If so, it is probably there for a reason. The facts of each case vary.
--Information provided from the Centers for Disease Control and the American
Veterinary Medical Association
Basically, any dog bite may result in injuries which are compensable in Tennessee. However we only take
serious injury cases. These attacks are usually by the larger dog breeds such as Rottweilers, German Shepards, Dobberman Pinchers, Mastiffs, and Pit Bulls.
If you have been seriously injured as a result of a dog bite, seek medical treatment and the call a lawyer who will
discuss the claim with you as soon as possible.
Why did the Dog Attack?
Not all dogs, not even all large dogs are bad dogs. Dogs, like
humans have personalities. Dogs, like humans, are influenced by their
environments. While a large dog may be intimidating, many of them are
well trained as security dogs, police dogs, rescue animals, and seeing-eye
assistants.
When a dog bite does occur, liability is not to be automatically presumed.
Indeed, liability for the attack is always a key issue. Was the dog running loose? Were
you on some else's property at the time of the attack? Has this dog attacked
before? Did the owner of the dog provide warnings signs concerning the dogs?
Did you do something to startle or provoke the dog?
In answering
these questions you can start to outline the facts which will determine the liability of the owner.
How do I protect my self and others?
While dog bites are not uncommon in Tennessee, the path to reducing the
frequency of these attacks
is to accept responsibility for your own actions and to hold the owner
responsible for their acts or omissions. The law will do this as well.
If you materially contributed to your own injuries, the law may apply a
doctrine known as "comparative fault" to limit or eliminate your right to
recover.
What does it Cost?
We will give you one free consultation on the case, to see if it is something we
can help you with. Our personal injury files are handled on a contingency fee,
usually 33 1/3 percent of the recovery.
THINGS TO KNOW AND REMEMBER!!!
- If you need emergency medical care - get it.
-
Make good records and take notes of the facts, witnesses and circumstances.
Your memory is best when the events are still fresh.
- Look out for your interests
It is never too soon to consult with an attorney. If the dog's owner
has insurance, they may have already reported the incident to their
insurance carrier. You may be expecting a telephone call or visit from
an adjuster who may give the appearance that he or she is your friend.
These adjusters are employed to protect the interests of the homeowner and
more specifically the insurance company. They do this by looking for
ways to deny liability and deny your claim.
Our objective as your attorney is insure that you get all the benefits
that Tennessee law says you are entitled to receive. We can help you
pursue and obtain benefits such as
- Money for medical bills
- Money for lost of income
- Money for your pain and suffering
Communication and Trust
It is important that you trust your attorney and that you are able to
communicate freely with them. No honest attorney care guarantee you a result. Each case bears it own risks. We reduce the risks by
taking cases where we have training and experience. A good
attorney is always ready to try the case, instead of just recommending any
settlement that will keep them from having to go to trial if necessary.
Let our office help you!
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