At NST Law, we are dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Mr. Trotz has handled personal injury cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, and negligent security. Each and every day, Mr. Trotz represents those who have been injured through no fault of their own, and many of his clients have sustained traumatic, catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
We refer to our dogs as “Man’s Best Friend,” but some canines and breeds have dangerous propensities. If you or a loved one has been injured via dog bite, the effects of the accident can be significant. Dog bite victims can suffer severe scarring, nerve damage, puncture wounds, and other serious injuries. To get a legal opinion on your case, call the Memphis dog bite lawyers of Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz at 800-529-4004 or contact us online.
Under the law, dog owners can be held responsible for the actions of their dogs. If a dog bites you or a family member, you should notify the police. The local police department can conduct an investigation and write a report. A police report can help prove the incident and circumstances surrounding it. If the dog is particularly dangerous or aggressive, which could include a pit bull, Animal Control may get involved. The same can be said if the dog has a history of violence and attacks.
Most states and cities have specific statutes and ordinances regarding the responsibility of dog owners. In Tennessee, for instance, “the owner of a dog has a duty to keep that dog under reasonable control at all times.” A dog owner can be liable for a dog bite if he or she allowed the dog to run at large in public or on private property. The Tennessee law governing the responsibility of dog owners is codified as Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-8-413.
In addition to state and city dog bite laws, general negligence principles may apply to your case. To prove a dog owner acted negligently, you must show he or she breached a legal duty owed to you by not acting reasonably under the circumstances. Some examples include knowingly allowing an aggressive dog to run off leash, not properly vaccinating the dog, and failing to take proper precautions despite knowing (or having reason to know) of the propensity for violence or biting.
Dog bite personal injury cases can be complex. An experienced dog bite lawyer in Memphis can help you considerably as you seek to prove your case. As any attorney will tell you, it is first important to conduct a complete investigation into the incident. This includes identifying the dog owner and the owner of the property where the bite occurred. The homeowner’s insurance policy of the dog owner and/or property owner can cover damages arising out of a dog biting or attacking you. It will also be important to interview all witnesses – those present on the property during the attack and those who may have seen the dog act violently in the past.
Dog bite injuries can be severe, no matter the age of the victim. Many dog bite victims sustain visible scarring or deep puncture wounds that require stitches and deep sterilization. Many doctors encourage animal bite victims to get a tetanus or rabies shot to prevent infection from bacteria that was inside the animal’s mouth. Dog bite wounds are common to the face, arms, and legs. The average dog’s teeth and jaws are so strong that they can easily penetrate human skin and even cause organ damage, such as lung or kidney damage. A hospital may need to perform an emergency procedure to stabilize your organs and protect the wound from getting worse. As you know, permanent facial scarring can have a lasting effect on one’s life, self-esteem, and how they feel in front of others.
By conducting a proper investigation into your dog bite case, your attorney can lay the foundation for your case being handled the right way. The dog bite attorneys at our Memphis firm have helped thousands recover for their injuries. Children can be particularly susceptible to getting bit by dogs, especially if the dog is big or aggressive. Permanent scarring could result, and the only remedy may be a future scar revision or plastic surgery procedure. Psychological harm is also common after a dog bite occurrence, as victims may feel scared or nervous to be around dogs.
Depending on the facts of your dog bite injuries, you could be able to recover compensation for:
Dog bite victims can recover compensatory damages resulting from the owner’s negligence. Economic damages include monetary losses that can be quantified, such as past and future medical bills, scar revision estimates, and prescriptions. If you are forced to miss work, you can recover reimbursement for loss of income. Non-economic damages encompass the more subjective losses caused by the dog bite. These damages include physical pain, emotional suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Before talking to any insurance company, you should first speak with a lawyer who can explain all elements of damages to which you could be entitled under the law and the best course of action towards proving your case.
Hiring the right attorney can ensure your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages are accounted for. To obtain a free legal consultation with a Memphis dog bite attorney today, call Team NST at 800-529-4004 or contact us online. Our accident and injury lawyers are available 24/7 to take your call, and we can explain how our legal team can work hard to deliver the best possible result to you and your loved ones.
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