Experiencing the trauma of a dog bite is terrifying. While some dog bite cases may be minor and quick medical attention can help, others may be more serious and require immediate surgery or lifelong medical care. To make the injury worse, many adults and children are left with permanent scarring after being mauled by a dog. On average, a Kentucky dog bite injury claim costs approximately $40,000. In addition to the financial & emotional toll a dog bite injury can take on its victims, they must address many legal considerations to ensure fair compensation recovery.

If a dog has bitten you in Kentucky, our top-rated Lexington dog bite lawyers at Maze Law Offices can help you navigate the legal system and obtain the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, any future care needs, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call our dedicated personal injury attorneys for help.

What is Strict Liability in Dog Bite Cases?

Kentucky has made it a priority to protect its citizens from dog bites. Whether you own a dog or have a claim for a dog bite injury, you’ll want to understand Kentucky’s dog bite laws that will help establish liability in a dog bite claim in Lexington.

Kentucky is a strict liability state for dog bites which means the court holds dog owners strictly liable for any damages their dogs inflict. They are accountable for covering your medical expenses and any attack-related losses. However, another important factor to consider when making a claim after suffering a dog bite injury is who pays for the medical bills and damages?  In almost every circumstance, it is the homeowners insurance that covers the hospital expenses as well as the pain and suffering value of such a claim. In other words, you are receiving compensation from a large insurance company and not out of the wallet or savings of a neighbor or relative who owned the dog or who owned the property where the attack occurred.

Making a dog bite injury claim in Lexington is an arduous task. If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog and suffered injury or death, you may have questions about how to proceed with your claim and how much compensation you can expect to recover. To protect your rights and ensure that the dog owner is held accountable for any damages caused by their pet, you must seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Steps to Protect Your Rights After a Dog Bite in Lexington

Dog bites are a serious issue, and if a dog in Kentucky has bitten you, you should know what to do to protect your rights. To help protect yourself and your family from emotional trauma and future financial hardship caused by a dog bite injury, you should take the following steps:

  • Call 911 or Police and File a Report
  • Report the Incident to Animal Control Agency
  • Gather the Dog Owner’s Information
  • Seek Medical Attention
  • Take Pictures of Your Injuries
  • Get Witness Information
  • Contact a Local Dog Bite Attorney

Making a claim for gashes and cuts and bite marks resulting in permanent scarring is one of the largest factors of a settlement claim. Depending on what a plastic surgeon or scar revisionist would charge to perform such a procedure to help with the appearance of your scar would directly tie into the evaluation for your future damages.

Dog Bite Claims

In Lexington, dog bites are considered personal injury claims that require someone to either settle their claim with the property or homeowners insurance within one year from the date of injury. If one is unable to settle their case prior to the one year deadline, the claim will be forever barred unless a lawsuit is filed against the dog owner or land owner. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations and is typically one year from the date of injury. Missing this deadline can bar victims from collecting any damages. However, if a minor child is the victim of a dog bite, the statute of limitations can be extended until the kid reaches adulthood.

Hire an experienced lawyer in Lexington who can help you timely file your dog attack claim, build a strong case and negotiate settlements on your behalf.

Contact Our Dog Bite Attorneys in Lexington For Help Filing a Claim

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a dog bite or an attack and suffered injuries, hire one of our seasoned dog bite lawyers in Lexington. We will handle everything from conducting an investigation and gathering evidence to negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your health recovery.

We will be able to assist you at every step of the legal process and obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve to get on with your life as quickly as possible. Do not worry about attorney fees, as we handle dog bite injury cases on a contingency fee basis, and you only pay us if we recover compensation for you. Call us for a free case evaluation.

Maze Law Offices N/a (859) 882-9999