If someone becomes aggressive with you, they may grab, push, or punch you with their hands. Dogs don’t have hands, but they have mouths and teeth, so that’s what they use. No matter the cause, you may have a legal right to compensation if a dog bites you.
If a dog severely injures you or a family member, Tyler Fleck can answer your questions about your right to compensation under Kentucky law. Call him at (270) 446-7000.
How Big a Problem Are Dog Bites?
Every year, about 4.5 million people in the US suffer dog bites (there are about 90 million dogs in the country), and 40 to 50 people die of their wounds annually (children up to two years old account for about a quarter of the deaths). From 2010 to 2021, ten people were killed in dog attacks in Kentucky.
Every year, dog bites result in an estimated:
- 885,000 people needing medical attention
- 344,000 of them going to hospital emergency departments (about half of this group are children five to nine years old)
- 9,400 hospital admissions
State Farm and the Insurance Information Institute report that in 2022:
- Liability claims related to injuries caused by dogs cost homeowner’s insurance carriers more than $1.136 billion
- There were 17,583 dog bite claims, so the average payout was about $64,600
- State Farm paid more than $210 million for 3,285 dog-related injury claims. They paid, on average, about $64,000 per claim
To put this in perspective, State Farm paid $3.5 billion in claims in 2022 for property damage caused by hail.
Other attorneys take contingent fees of 33% to 50% of your settlement.
We want you to keep more of your money.
Our contingent fee is only 30% on cases settled prior to filing suit.
What Motivates a Dog to Bite?
Dogs bite for many reasons, including:
- They feel threatened, scared, or anxious. This can happen if someone suddenly approaches or they’re in an unfamiliar or stressful situation. They may also be the victim of past neglect or abuse, so they don’t trust people and see them as a potential threat
- Dogs (some more than others) are naturally protective of their territory, food, toys, or even their owners. Dogs may resort to biting if they feel that any of these are threatened
- Dogs may bite if they’re in pain or feeling unwell. Pain can make them more irritable and less tolerant of interactions, leading to aggression
- Proper socialization is crucial for dogs to learn how to interact with humans and other animals. Dogs that aren’t adequately socialized may react fearfully or aggressively in unfamiliar situations
- Dogs may bite out of frustration, especially if they’re unable to express their needs or desires effectively. They may also become overly excited during play, leading to unintentional bites
- Dogs, especially those with strong predatory instincts, may chase and bite moving objects, including people, especially if they perceive them as prey
- Certain medical conditions, such as neurological disorders or hormonal imbalances, can affect a dog’s behavior and increase the likelihood of biting
- A dog’s personality may predispose them to aggression or violence
Why you or a family member were bitten depends on the situation and the dog.
What Kind of Harm Can a Dog Bite Inflict?
The injuries you may suffer can vary widely, given your size and the dog’s size, how aggressive the dog was, and the bite’s location. Some of the injuries include:
- Dog teeth can create puncture wounds that may be small but deep, increasing the risk of infection
- Sharp teeth and strong jaws can cause cuts and lacerations, leading to bleeding and tissue damage
- Bites can result in bruises and contusions around the affected area
- Dog bites can introduce bacteria into the wound, increasing the risk of infection
- Depending on the severity of the bite, there may be significant damage to nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- If the bite is forceful or if the victim falls during the attack, dog bites can result in bone fractures
- Serious bites can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement, especially if they occur on the face or other visible parts of the body
- In addition to physical injuries, dog bites can also cause emotional trauma, especially in children, leading to fear and anxiety around dogs and other animals
- Although rare in well-vaccinated pet dogs, dog bites carry a risk of rabies transmission in regions where the disease is prevalent or if the dog is unvaccinated
Small children are especially vulnerable to aggressive dogs because they’re shorter, and a dog may bite their neck or face, while an adult may be bitten on the leg, hand, or arm.
What are My Legal Rights as a Dog Bite Victim?
There’s a balance in Kentucky law. We’re a strict liability state (Ky. Rev. Stat. § 258.235(4)), so the dog owner is liable if their dog bites you. It doesn’t matter whether the dog has been violent in the past or what steps the owner took to control the dog. But Kentucky is a comparative negligence state, too. If a jury finds you’re at fault in some way (you teased the dog or knowingly trespassed onto the owner’s property), they can reduce your award to reflect that share of fault.
Tyler Fleck Helps Dog Bite Victims Get the Compensation They Deserve
If you have questions about your rights as a dog bite victim or want legal representation to take advantage of them, speak to Tyler Fleck by contacting The Fleck Firm today at (270) 446-7000. Insurance companies have lawyers. You should have one, too.
