Murfreesboro, TN Dog Bite Lawyers

When Man’s Best Friend turns dangerous and bites or mauls someone, the aftermath is devastating. A terrified, badly injured victim, an owner who may not acknowledge that their beloved pet has done harm—where do you turn after you’ve been attacked?

Trust the legal team at Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers. As experienced Murfreesboro, TN, dog bite lawyers, we can help you sort facts from fear and advise you of your legal options. You don’t have to deal with an angry owner or worry about your medical recovery on your own. We’re beside you at every step, protecting and advocating for your rights.

Please call us today at (615) 220-4180. We offer a free consultation so you can understand your rights and next steps worry-free.

Weir & Kestner stands apart from the rest

Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers, a boutique personal injury firm right here in Murfreesboro, was founded with the mission to make a difference in the lives of people harmed by others’ negligence. We blend the power of a big-city firm with the home-court advantage. As local lawyers, we know the civil court judges, courtrooms, and procedures better than any large national firm.

As former Nashville insurance company defense attorneys, founding partners Joe Weir and Tony Kestner have what other Murfreesboro, TN, dog bite lawyers do not—insider knowledge. Joe, Tony, and their legal team use their history of being on the other side and knowing how insurance companies maneuver. Together, we leverage a deep understanding of Tennessee personal injury laws and a dedication to the rights of injured victims like you to build compelling cases in civil court.

Our Murfreesboro personal injury lawyers represent injured people across Middle Tennessee in their quest for justice and fair compensation. We’re ready to add you to our list of successes. Call us today at (615) 220-4180 to learn more.

Rights of dog bite victims in Murfreesboro

If you have been bitten or mauled by a dog, you have the right to demand compensation if the owner knew, or should reasonably have known, that the dog was dangerous, likely to bite, or had a history of biting or aggression. This is a modified version of the “one bite rule,” a form of law that gives dogs a “get out of jail free card” if they have never bitten.

However, most dog bite attorneys understand that many dogs show a history of aggression or threatening behavior even before the first bite. Dog owners should take appropriate steps to curb their dogs’ aggression or keep them away from those who could be harmed.

Furthermore, if the dog’s owner was acting irresponsibly, such as violating leash laws or failing to contain a known dangerous dog properly, they may be found to be negligent or acting with disregard for the safety of others.

We protect your right to compensation after a dog bite injury in Murfreesboro, TN

You may not be sure how a lawyer can help you after you’ve been bitten by a dog, especially if the animal’s protective owner claims you are responsible for the attack. While it’s usually the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy that will pay your claim, the insurance company may not be ready just to hand over a large settlement.

A Murfreesboro dog bite lawyer levels the playing field. As former insurance company defense lawyers, we know the arguments that insurers commonly make to minimize or even deny your valid claim. And we know just what kind of evidence is necessary to prove liability on the part of the irresponsible dog owner.

Our attorneys have recovered millions on behalf of injured clients in settlements and at trial. We fight for the maximum compensation in your claim, not just what an insurance company may deem medically necessary.

How Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers helps injured victims like you

Our Murfreesboro, TN dog bite lawyers provide essential legal services and support for victims and their families after a devastating dog attack. We help you assert your rights in civil court, prepare a claim based on evidence and fine points of Tennessee injury law, and demand full compensation for your injuries.

Each case is unique, but in general, the legal services we provide are as follows.

Investigation

A thorough investigation is critical to building your case. We use our vast resources, including professional investigators, to interview witnesses, gather information about the dog’s behavioral history, and analyze your medical records and police reports from the accident.

We also understand that evidence-gathering can prove difficult. The owner wishes to protect their dog and often blames the victim in the process. We understand the obstacles that arise in gathering sufficient evidence to prove your claim and how to deal with an uncooperative owner.

Settlement negotiations

Once we have sufficient evidence to prove liability on the part of the dog’s owner, we prepare to negotiate a settlement on your behalf. This may be through their insurance company or in mediation. We represent your interests and, as trained negotiators, can often achieve a better settlement than you could on your own.

However, we always prepare each case for trial in case the other party refuses to compromise.

Trial

Insurance companies typically won’t force a trial unless they’re fairly certain they will win. The cost of litigating the claim in Rutherford County court may be higher than the requested amount of compensation, so insurance companies typically take a pragmatic view of settlements.

One of the primary reasons we advise going to trial instead of negotiating a settlement is if we can secure punitive damages in addition to the material damages we seek. For example, suppose we have evidence that the dog has bitten more than once before and the owner failed to address the issue or the dog is known to have caused severe injuries after a first bite. In this case, we may ask a jury to award punitive damages to make an example to other dog owners who may be similarly tempted to take risks with the safety of other people.

Communication and advocacy

Once you’re a client of Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers, you can step back and focus on healing and recovery. We offer to act as the primary point of contact with the other party, creating a buffer between you and the stress of pursuing your claim.

If the dog’s owner, their insurance company, or any other interested party contacts you about your case, please feel free to refer them to our firm.

Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers have a strong track record of advocacy for dog bite victims

We invite you to view our client testimonials and reviews of our recent victories, in court and out. To date, we have recovered millions in damages for our clients, and we’re ready to add you to that impressive list.

Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers treat you as a person, not just a case or a settlement dollar amount. As you can see from our client results, we tell your story from start to finish. We treat our clients with dignity and respect.

Your dog bite claim may be one of the most stressful and pivotal occurrences of your life. Your injuries run deep, and the emotional scars may take longer to heal than the physical ones. We protect you, and we’re on your side.

Tennessee laws about dog bites you should know about

Legally speaking, there are a few things to understand about your dog bite claim:

• If a dog has bitten you and you wish to file a claim, you must act fast. Tennessee’s statute of limitations for filing a civil claim is just one year from the date of the attack.
• You may be unable to file suit if you were trespassing or if you were interfering with a police or military dog in the course of the dog’s duties.
• Tennessee law views dogs as property. Therefore, the owner is liable for the harm the animal does.

Damages available in a Murfreesboro dog bite claim

As the plaintiff (victim) in a dog bite case, you are entitled to demand three types of damages:

• Economic: Material losses, including all necessary medical care, unearned wages if you missed work to heal, property damage (perhaps you dropped your phone or your clothing was ripped), prescription medications, and any specialist medical care.
• Non-economic: These damages refer to the non-material yet still valuable losses you suffered, such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and a diminished quality of life. You can also be compensated for any scarring, disfigurement, or disability you developed as a result of the attack.
• Punitive: Also referred to as “exemplary damages,” punitive damages are punishing and may be assessed if a judge and jury believe the attack was especially violent or the owner’s actions especially egregious. For example, perhaps the owner of a large, vicious dog ordered it to attack you. In these cases, the judge may assess additional damages to punish the owner and serve as an example to others tempted to use their pet as a weapon.

Frequently asked questions about dog bites in Murfreesboro

Our Murfreesboro, TN, dog bite lawyers answer some of our clients’ common questions about dog bite claims.

The owner is blaming me for provoking the dog. Do I still have a case?

You likely do. Dog owners are responsible for their animals’ behavior and actions. Owners of “reactive” dogs should take reasonable precautions to avoid bringing a dog more likely to attack in situations where an incident is likely to occur.

Furthermore, owners of dangerous breeds or dogs with a history of aggression must take appropriate precautions to prevent their dogs from harming a person or someone else’s pet.

What does the “one bite rule” mean?

Some states have a law that owners cannot be liable for harm caused by a dog if the dog has never bitten anyone before. Essentially, the dog is allowed one bite before the owner can be sued for damages. Most states, like Tennessee, have a modified one-bite rule. Here, the owner can be held liable for the first bite if the animal has shown prior signs of aggression or if the owner has reasonable knowledge that the dog is likely to harm someone.

As Murfreesboro, TN dog bite lawyers, we gather evidence about the dog’s history of behavior, including interviewing neighbors, the dog’s vet, and others who have had encounters with the animal. This evidence can prove that the owner should have reasonably known that the dog was likely to bite.

Can I sue for emotional trauma or PTSD I suffered after a dog attack?

Yes! Many people, especially children, may suffer a lifelong phobia of dogs after being bitten, especially if the attack caused serious physical damage. You are entitled to compensation for these damages, which you can use for therapy, counseling, and other measures to help you psychologically recover from the attack.

Local resources for dog bite victims in Murfreesboro

• Rutherford County Animal Services: You can report a dog bite, aggressive behavior, or off-leash dogs by calling (615) 898-7740
• Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers: Contact us to discuss your legal options by calling (615) 220-4180
• DogsBite.org: A nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of dog bites. Resources include support groups, funds, and information.

Have you been bitten by a dog? We want to help.

If you, someone you love, or your pet has been bitten by a dog, even one you’re familiar with, you have more rights than you may realize. Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers are Murfreesboro, TN, dog bite lawyers advocating for people like you who vicious or uncontrolled dogs have harmed.

Contact our firm today at (615) 220-4180 for a free consultation.