Understanding Dog Bite Claims
Dog bites are a serious concern in Kentucky and across the country.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur yearly in the United States.
Over 800,000 of the incidents require medical attention.
The impact of a dog bite can be far-reaching, affecting not just the victim’s physical health but also their emotional and financial well-being.
Victims may face extensive medical treatments, psychological counseling, and time off work, leading to significant financial strain.
Understanding the prevalence and seriousness of dog bites is crucial for prevention and ensuring that victims receive the support and compensation they deserve.
What to Do If Bitten
If a dog bites you, quick action is essential to ensure your safety and well-being.
Here are some steps to follow:
Seek Medical Attention
The first and often the most critical step is to seek immediate medical care following a dog bite.
This is essential for health reasons, and medical records will also serve as vital evidence in your claim.
Prompt medical evaluation and treatment are crucial to minimize complications.
Dog bites can lead to infections like rabies, and prompt medical treatment can prevent long-term issues.
Getting properly assessed can optimize surgical outcomes after a serious dog bite.
Report the Incident
Notify local animal control or law enforcement about the incident.
This ensures that an official report documents the specifics of the event.
The information should include the dog owner’s identity, location, attack date, and injuries sustained.
Additionally, reporting the incident can help prevent future attacks by the aggressive dog.
Document the Incident
Take photos of the bite, the dog, and any witnesses.
Also, gather contact information from the dog’s owner and any witnesses.
This documentation will be crucial for your dog bite claim.
Consult with an Attorney
A dog bite attorney can help you navigate the complex process of finding coverage and making a dog bite claim. a
Taking these steps can significantly impact the outcome of your case.
They can help secure the evidence to support your claim, ensure you receive the medical care and representation necessary for recovery, and be compensated for your damages.
Why Choose Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers?
If you’ve been bitten in a dog attack, you have the right to compensation for damages.
At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we know the law.
Our personal injury lawyers fight to hold the animal owner responsible for injuries following any dog attacks.
We take pride in our track record, securing hundreds of millions of dollars for past clients.
Our team of attorneys will leverage Kentucky’s strict liability laws to hold the dog owner accountable so that you receive compensation for injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Medical Damages
Dog bite incidents can cause serious health complications, such as severe scarring, disfigurement, and infections.
These injuries can significantly impact a victim’s quality of life and may require surgical interventions.
They are also expensive.
The average cost of a hospital stay due to a dog bite in the United States is reported to be around $18,200, which is about 50% higher than the average injury-related hospital stay.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog bite claim cost now exceeds $69,000 in part due to rising medical costs.
“The average cost per claim increased 18.3 percent in 2024 to $69,272 from $58,545 in 2023.”
The average cost per claim nationally has risen 86.1 percent from 2015 to 2024 due to increased medical expenses and the upward trend in the size of settlements, judgments, and jury awards given to plaintiffs.
Severe Injuries From Dog Bites
Dog bites can cause various injuries.
One immediate concern should be rabies.
This viral infection is potentially lethal if the dog has not been vaccinated.
Appropriate medical care is critical if you have any reason to believe the dog has rabies.
Many other injuries from bites are severe enough to require surgical intervention.
The most common injuries that necessitate surgery include:
Deep lacerations and tissue damage
Fractures and crushed bones
Nerve and tendon injuries
Vascular (blood vessel) injuries
Severe infections and complications
Disfiguring facial injuries
Common Surgical Injuries
Deep Lacerations and Tissue Damage
Dog bites often cause significant tearing of the skin and underlying tissues.
Surgical repair is frequently needed to close wounds, remove damaged tissue, and minimize scarring.
In facial injuries, primary closure in the operating room is often required.
In some cases, skin grafts or flaps may be necessary.
Fractures and Crushed Bones
The force of a dog’s bite can fracture or crush bones, particularly in the hands, arms, or face.
Surgical intervention may involve setting the bone, using hardware to stabilize fractures, or reconstructing shattered bone segments.
Nerve and Tendon Injuries
Bites that penetrate deeply can sever nerves and tendons, leading to loss of function or sensation.
Surgical repair may be required to reattach or reconstruct these structures, especially in the hands or face.
Vascular Injuries
In some cases, dog bites can damage arteries or veins, causing significant bleeding or loss of blood supply to tissues.
Vascular repair through surgery may be necessary to restore circulation and prevent tissue death.
Severe Infections and Complications
Because dog bites introduce bacteria deep into tissues, infections such as cellulitis, abscesses, septic arthritis (joint disease), or osteomyelitis (bone infection) can develop.
Surgical drainage or debridement (removal of infected tissue) may be needed.
Disfiguring Facial Injuries
Facial bites are particularly likely to require surgical intervention for functional and cosmetic reasons.
Injuries to the lips, cheeks, nose, eyelids, and ears may need complex reconstructive procedures, including revision surgeries to address scarring or deformity.
Summary Table
| Injury Type | Common Surgical Procedures |
|---|---|
| Deep lacerations/tissue damage | Wound closure, debridement, grafts/flaps |
| Fractures/crushed bones | Bone setting, hardware placement, reconstruction |
| Nerve/tendon injuries | Nerve/tendon repair or reconstruction |
| Vascular injuries | Vascular repair, anastomosis, ligation |
| Severe infection | Surgical drainage, debridement |
| Disfiguring facial injuries | Reconstructive/cosmetic surgery, scar revision |
Kentucky Dog Bite Laws
Kentucky dog bite law emphasizes the state’s strict liability law.
The strict liability law against dog owners can be found in KRS 258.235.
This mandates that dog owners are responsible for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of prior behavior.
Essentially, this law holds dog owners accountable for any dog bite damages caused by their dogs.
Owners are expected to control their animals at all times, regardless of whether the dog has a prior history of aggression.
Since Kentucky operates under strict liability, dog bite victims do not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent or aware of the dog’s aggressive tendencies.
The fact that the dog caused harm is sufficient for a claim.
Moreover, if a dog is found to have viciously attacked a human without cause and beyond the owner’s premises, the owner could face legal penalties under KRS 258.990(3)(b), including fines and other legal repercussions or even that the dog may be securely confined or euthanized, depending on the court’s judgment, to prevent future incidents.
Damages
In dog bite injury cases, victims are entitled to seek various damages.
These cover both the tangible and intangible consequences caused by the incident.
Economic Damages
These losses have a direct monetary impact, including medical bills, lost wages, and replacement services.
Non-Economic Damages
These address the less quantifiable impacts, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium resulting from a dog bite.
It could also include compensation for disfigurement and scarring.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are awarded in more extreme circumstances and serve as a punishment for the dog owner’s behavior if there’s evidence of oppression, fraud, or malice.
A plaintiff shall recover punitive damages only upon proving, by clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant from whom such damages are sought acted toward the plaintiff with oppression, fraud or malice.
They aren’t tied to any specific loss the victim has encountered but are meant to punish and act as a deterrent against future carelessness or intentional harm.
“Punitive damages” include exemplary damages and mean damages, other than compensatory and nominal damages, awarded against a person to punish and to discourage him and others from similar conduct in the future.
Statute Of Limitations
In Kentucky, the statute of limitations for a dog bite claim is generally one year from the incident date.
Child victims of dog bites in Kentucky are given additional time under the law to file a dog bite lawsuit.
Generally, the statute of limitations for minors won’t start running until they turn 18.
If you miss the statute of limitations deadline, Kentucky law could bar you from obtaining any compensation.
Hire a Lawyer for Your Claim Early
It’s essential to file your claim promptly, even if the statute of limitations gives you time.
Filing early typically results in more readily available and reliable evidence, such as eyewitness statements, video footage, or freshly documented injuries – all crucial for building a strong case.
The sooner you initiate the legal process, the quicker you can potentially secure financial relief.
Contact Our Lawyers Today
You shouldn’t have to pay for an injury that wasn’t your fault.
At Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers, we’re prepared to secure the justice and financial support you deserve.
And with our Bigger Share Guarantee®, you always get more.
We’re available 24/7.
Call (502) 888-8888.
