In Tennessee, we love our dogs. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 47% of households (roughly 1.16 million homes) in Tennessee have at least 1 dog. Unfortunately, as a dog bite lawyer Memphis trusts, I know sometimes man’s best friend can turn into his worst enemy. In fact, some of the most devastating and common injuries are caused by dog attacks.

The damage done by a vicious dog can leave permanent physical and emotional scarring, not to mention a mountain of medical bills. With dogs responsible for over four million animal bites every year, I wanted to answer a few common questions I get about dog attacks to help keep you and your family safe.

1. What should I do if a dog bites me or my child?

After a dog attack, there are three important steps you should take:

  • See a doctor
    Even if your injury seems minor, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. A medical report of the injury can be integral when pursuing compensation.
  • Get information about the dog and owner
    If you can, get the dog owner’s name, phone number, and address. You can use these details to find out if the dog has a history of biting and to file a dog bite report with your police station or local animal control center.
  • Talk to a lawyer
    A dog bite can require expensive medical procedures, and potentially put you out of work while you heal. An experienced dog bite lawyer can help you build a strong case to get the compensation you deserve for your injury.

2. What are common injuries in a dog bite case?

Dog attacks can range in severity. Some dog bites may only involve a minor breaking of the skin, while others can cause serious emotional trauma, severe lacerations, heavy bleeding, and other life-threatening injuries. The following are some of the dog bite injuries that a victim may sustain:

  • Puncture wounds and lacerations
  • Serious infection of the wound
  • Nerve damage
  • Fractured and broken bones
  • Permanent disfigurement and scarring, especially to the hands, arms, feet, legs, and face
  • Loss of eyesight if bit on the face
  • Emotional issues such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • Rabies

3. Can I still file a claim if my dog bite injury isn’t severe?

Your injury doesn’t need to be physically severe for you to have a case. Even minor dog bites can cause infections, which can lead to more severe complications. Also, many dog bite injuries are psychologically traumatic — especially to young children.

Speak with a dog bite lawyer Memphis trusts for FREE.

After a dog bite, the last thing you want to do is deal with legal paperwork. Our experienced dog bite lawyers can take care of every detail of your claim. If you or someone you love has been injured in a dog attack, contact us online or give us a call at (901) 327-2100 for a FREE evaluation of your case – no strings attached.

As lawyers who have handled dog attack cases in Tennessee for decades, we know even a seemingly “nice” dog can turn vicious without warning. And we know exactly what to do to give you the best chance at compensation. Give us a call today to hear how we can help.