Louisville Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a loved one has experienced an animal or dog bite in Kentucky, there may be the need of the help of a dog bite lawyer. We have handled several animal bite and attack claims throughout Louisville and surrounding areas in Kentucky. It can be a scary and difficult time for both parties and a good dog bite attorney can get the victim the justice they deserve for their hardship.

If you or a loved one has suffered an dog or animal attack in Louisville, or in the surrounding area, contact the law office of Meinhart & Manning, PLLC to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Louisville dog bite attorneys.

Animal Attacks in Kentucky

Dog bites and animal attacks occur more frequently than one may think, especially in Louisville. In 2017, Louisville ranked fifth nationally in dog attacks against postal workers. Dogs with vicious propensities are all around us, and if they get out of their yard, or are not properly leashed, they can cause serious animal attack injuries.

What To Do If Bitten in Louisville, KY

If you’ve found yourself in the unfortunate situation to be attacked and/or bitten by a dog, you understand how stressful the experience can be. Things like transmission of diseases and treating open lacerations are just a few things to worry about.

If you ever are attacked by an animal, follow these steps right away:

• Press on the wound gently to cause come bleeding to help flush out as much bacteria as possible.
• Wash the wound with moderate soap and water.
• Attempt to slow down the bleeding with a clean cloth
• Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream if you have it.
• Wrap the injury in a sterile bandage and seek medical attention immediately.

When a dog bite does occurs, the victims can have many questions regarding their injury claim: Who will pay my medical bills? Who will pay my lost wages? What kind of compensation am I entitled to? We will help you answer those questions.

Not all dog bite or animal attack injury attorneys are the same. Some dog attack lawyers are not even licensed to practice in Kentucky. The Louisville dog bite lawyers at Meinhart & Manning, PLLC are proud to call themselves Kentuckians and handle claims all over the Commonwealth.

Kentucky Dog Bite Laws

Kentucky is a state with strict liability laws regarding animal attacks to humans. Kentucky law section 258.235 states that a dog owner is completely liable for any damage that his or her dog, or pet, causes to any “person, livestock, or other property.” A dog bite victim in Louisville can recover compensation for medical expenses, wages lost, or emotional damage caused by an attack from an animal. The law of this state is favorable for anyone who has been injured in any way by a dog or other type of pet.

Pets that have been deemed as “vicious” by a court can, and will likely, be seized by local law enforcement and could even be put down if they have a history of aggressive behavior.

What Injuries Are Associated with Dog Bites?

When individuals think of dog bite injuries, they often just think of puncture wounds caused by a dog’s teeth. However, this does not adequately explain the possible severity of dog bite injuries. Dogs have incredibly powerful jaws, and dog bite incidents can lead to a range of possible injuries. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Puncture wounds
• Severe lacerations
• Severed arteries, veins, tendons, or muscles
• Major blood loss
• Amputations of fingers
• Broken bones, particularly in the fingers and hands

Severe dog bite injuries often lead to significant scarring and disfigurement for individuals. This scarring can lead to diminished quality of life, and it will serve as a constant reminder of the trauma an individual had to endure. Additionally, dog bite victims often have to combat severe infections caused by the bite injury. When a dog bite occurs, this can introduce a range of types of bacteria into a person’s bloodstream. Infections can lead to severe complications elsewhere in a person’s body, even away from the dog bite site.

It is not uncommon for some dog bite victims to need various types of surgical procedures in order to restore the functionality or appearance of the dog bite area. This is particularly true for injuries that occur around the joints or on visible areas of the body, such as the legs, arms, or face. These surgical procedures come with their own risks, aside from the risks associated with the initial injury. However, the procedures may be necessary to help a person regain mobility and/or self-confidence after a dog bite incident occurs.

What Damages Can Be Recovered for Dog Bite Injuries?

Individuals who sustain dog bite injuries will likely be able to recover various types of compensation for their losses. At Meinhart & Manning, PLLC, our goal is to recover both economic and non-economic losses that our clients sustain after our dog bite occurs. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Any emergency medical expenses caused by the incident
• Surgical procedures necessary as a result of the injuries
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Lost wages if an individual cannot work while recovering
• Lost earning capacity if a person has to take a lower-paying job or cannot work due to a disability
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages

The total amount of compensation available to a dog bite injury victim in Louisville will vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding each particular situation. Some of the main factors that can affect total compensation include the following:

• The severity of the injuries
• How long a person is unable to work
• The overall level of pain and suffering the victim endures
• Insurance limitations of the dog owner
• Overall assets of the dog owner

Our skilled attorneys will work with trusted medical and financial experts to help properly calculate a dog bite injury victim’s loss. Our goal is to make sure that you recover the compensation needed to make as thorough of a recovery as possible.

Contact Our Louisville Dog Bite Attorneys

Contact our Louisville personal injury lawyers who specialize in animal bite and dog attack cases that occur in Louisville and throughout Kentucky. Call (502) 589-2700 today to schedule a free consultation or fill out our contact form and we will contact you.