Dog Bite Lawyer Bowling Green, KY

Hire a Kentucky dog bite lawyer who can get it done

A dog attack in Bowling Green, KY, can result in painful injuries that may require costly medical treatment and result in permanent scarring or disfigurement. They can also lead to psychological trauma and a fear of dogs. At Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers, our dedicated team of dog bite lawyers in Bowling Green is committed to helping injured victims by seeking financial compensation from negligent dog owners and other liable parties.

We are here to help you after a dog attack in Bowling Green. All you need to do is call. Our legal team is available 24/7, and we offer a free consultation so that you can understand your legal rights.

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800-800-4600

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How can a Bowling Green dog bite lawyer help?

Dog bites are a serious matter, and if you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, seeking the assistance of a dog bite lawyer can provide valuable help, especially if you’ve experienced serious injuries. An experienced dog bite attorney has comprehensive knowledge of Kentucky’s dog bite laws and can guide you through the process of obtaining compensation for your injuries.

An attorney can help you in many ways during a dog bite injury claim, including:

• Help you understand your legal options: A lawyer will evaluate the circumstances surrounding the dog bite, including the extent of the injuries, the liability of the dog owner or responsible parties, and any applicable laws and regulations. They will determine the strength of the case and help you understand the available legal options.
• Gathering evidence and investigating: A crucial aspect of building a strong case is gathering evidence. The lawyer will investigate the dog bite incident, collect medical records, obtain witness statements, gather photographs or videos of the injuries and the scene, and secure any other evidence that supports your claim.
• Establishing liability and identifying who is at fault: One of the primary tasks of a dog bite lawyer is to establish liability. They will examine the laws in Bowling Green and Kentucky, identify the responsible parties (such as the dog’s owner, property owners, or other parties), and gather evidence to prove their negligence or liability in the dog bite case.
• Negotiation and settlement: In many cases, a dog bite lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies or the responsible parties to reach a fair settlement. They will use their legal experience to advocate for your rights to ensure that you receive the most compensation possible for your injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
• If necessary, take your case to trial: If a settlement cannot be reached, the lawyer will prepare the case for litigation and represent the victim in court. They will file the necessary legal documents, present the evidence, question witnesses, and provide strong legal advocacy to seek a favorable verdict on behalf of the victim.
• Legal advice and guidance: A dog bite lawyer provides legal advice and guidance throughout the entire process. They explain the legal rights and options available to you, answer questions, address concerns, and provide support and reassurance during what can be a challenging and stressful time.

When you have a dog bite attorney in Bowling Green by your side, you can have peace of mind knowing that they will ensure you have all the necessary support during the claims process, including medical care from top doctors and addressing any legal questions you may have.

By entrusting the legal aspects of your claim to Hughes & Coleman, you can take the time to rest, recover, and concentrate on your future.

How long do you have to file a dog bite injury claim in Kentucky?

According to Kentucky Revised Statutes section 413.140, the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite injury claim is generally one year. This means that you have one year from the date of the dog bite incident to initiate legal action by filing a lawsuit. It is important to note that failing to file a claim within the specified timeframe may result in the court dismissing your case, and you may lose the opportunity to seek compensation for your injuries.

When should you hire a Bowling Green dog bite injury lawyer?

Dog bite victims should hire an experienced dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. Even though victims have a year to file a lawsuit, the critical pieces of building a strong personal injury case happen immediately following the incident, such as identifying the dog owner, documenting your injuries, interviewing witnesses, obtaining medical records, and other items that will support your claim.

If you wait to hire an attorney, you may be left with a challenging dog bite claim or placed in a situation where a claim is no longer an option.

Damages dog bite victims can recover in a dog bite injury case

In Kentucky, a dog bite victim may be entitled to several types of damages, including:

• Medical Expenses: The victim can seek compensation for the costs of medical treatment related to the dog bite, including hospital bills, medication, surgeries, and rehabilitation. This can also include future medical bills that may come as a result of ongoing medical treatment.
• Pain and Suffering: Damages may be awarded for the physical pain and emotional pain endured as a result of the dog bite. This can include both immediate pain and long-term suffering, such as scarring or disfigurement.
• Lost Wages: If the dog bite causes the victim to miss work, they may be able to recover income lost as a result of the attack. This can include both past and future lost earnings if the injuries have a lasting impact on the victim’s ability to work.
• Property Damage: If the dog bite resulted in damage to the victim’s personal property, such as torn clothing or broken glasses, they may be entitled to compensation for those losses. In Kentucky if your dog was bitten by another dog, you can also sue for property damage. Although we all don’t necessarily feel this way, in a Kentucky dog bite lawsuit, dogs are viewed as property in the courts.
• Punitive Damages: In certain cases, where the dog owner’s behavior was particularly egregious or reckless, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages aim to punish the dog owner and deter similar conduct in the future.

To pursue a claim for damages, it is generally advisable to consult with a personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable about Kentucky’s laws regarding dog bites. They can assess the specific circumstances of the case and provide guidance on the available legal options.

Lee Coleman

ATTORNEY, MANAGING PARTNER, & CO-FOUNDER

Mr. Coleman is now the Managing Partner and majority owner of Hughes and Coleman Injury Lawyers, a firm he co-founded in 1985 with J. Marshall Hughes. The firm has grown for over 40 years, and we currently have over 30 attorneys and multiple offices across Kentucky and Tennessee, as well as an affiliate firm in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Mr. Coleman’s efforts and accomplishments have been widely recognized, including being named as a Kentucky Super Lawyer in Personal Injury since 2012, and being awarded an AV Rating, the highest rating given, by the nation’s preeminent Attorney Rating service, Martindale- Hubbell®.

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Kentucky dog bite law

Kentucky’s approach to dog bite laws differs from many other states. Instead of a single comprehensive dog bite law, Kentucky relies on multiple statutes that address different scenarios involving dog bites.

Unlike more than a dozen states that follow a “one-bite rule,” where dog owners may avoid liability if their dog had not previously exhibited aggressive behavior, Kentucky does not adhere to this principle. In Kentucky, the owner can be held responsible for a dog bite regardless of whether the dog has shown prior aggressive tendencies or not.

Strict Liability

Kentucky law regarding dog bites follows a “strict liability” rule. This means that the dog owner can be held responsible for any injuries caused by their dog, regardless of whether they took reasonable precautions to prevent the bite. This means that, unlike some other states, it is unnecessary to prove the owner’s negligence in order to seek compensation for a dog bite injury in Kentucky.

Pure Comparative Negligence

In Kentucky, the pure comparative negligence law governs dog bite cases. According to this law, the damages that a dog owner must pay are proportionately reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to the injured person. In other words, if the injured person is found partially at fault for the incident, the damages awarded to them will be reduced by the percentage of their assigned fault.

Experienced dog bite attorneys can help establish the percentage of fault for dog bite victims to ensure they receive the most money possible for their injuries, which in some cases, can equate to thousands of dollars.

Who pays after a dog bite?

In Bowling Green, KY, dog bite injury victims often hesitate to pursue legal remedies because they’re worried about causing financial hardship for the dog owner, particularly if they are a neighbor, friend, or family member. However, it’s important to note that in most cases, it is the pet owner’s insurance company that handles the compensation for injury claims. Homeowner’s insurance policies typically provide coverage for dog bite injuries that occur on the owner’s property, as pets are legally considered property.

If a dog bite injury happens while the pet is inside a vehicle, the owner’s car insurance will typically cover the claim. Certain insurance companies offer policies that specifically cover dog attacks, and if the owner has such a policy, it can be used to pay for bite injuries. However, if the pet owner does not have any insurance coverage, they will be held liable for the damages.

Who pays after a dog bite?

In Bowling Green, KY, dog bite injury victims often hesitate to pursue legal remedies because they’re worried about causing financial hardship for the dog owner, particularly if they are a neighbor, friend, or family member. However, it’s important to note that in most cases, it is the pet owner’s insurance company that handles the compensation for injury claims. Homeowner’s insurance policies typically provide coverage for dog bite injuries that occur on the owner’s property, as pets are legally considered property.

If a dog bite injury happens while the pet is inside a vehicle, the owner’s car insurance will typically cover the claim. Certain insurance companies offer policies that specifically cover dog attacks, and if the owner has such a policy, it can be used to pay for bite injuries. However, if the pet owner does not have any insurance coverage, they will be held liable for the damages.

Lee Coleman

An experienced lawyer does more than make promises; they deliver results. We founded Hughes & Coleman to get hard-earned results for each and every one of our clients. We fight hard every day and for every case.

Free Case Consultation CALL now 800-800-4600

What to do after being bitten by a dog in Bowling Green, KY

If you have been bitten by a dog, it’s important to take certain steps to ensure your well-being and protect your legal rights. Dog bite victims should take the following actions after being bitten by a dog:

Common dog bite injuries that an attorney can help with

A personal injury attorney experienced in dog bite cases can assist with a variety of injuries resulting from dog bites. Some common dog bite injuries that an attorney can help with include:

• Puncture Wounds
• Lacerations
• Nerve Damage
• Infections
• Scarring and Disfigurement
• Emotional Distress

It’s important to consult with a personal injury lawyer Bowling Green has trusted for over 40 years, who is highly experienced in dog bite cases to assess the specific injuries you have sustained and determine the appropriate legal course of action to pursue compensation for your damages.

Contact an experienced dog bite lawyer today

At Hughes & Coleman, we have over 40 years of experience helping dog bite victims across Kentucky. Call us today for a free consultation. When you work with us, you never pay anything unless we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.

Call today and get it done.

800-800-4600

Truck Accident

$12 Million

initially offered: ZERO

Our team secured a $12 million jury verdict for a man severely injured by a negligent commercial truck driver in Nashville, TN. The insurance company initially denied the claim, then later offered $50,000.

Jury Verdict Alert

$6.7 Million

initially offered: ZERO

Our team secured a jury verdict for our client injured by a negligent tow truck company. The insurer initially denied liability, later offering $1 million in policy limits. We rejected it and convinced the jury to award our client $6,700,000.

Head-On Collision

$349,500

initially offered: $40,000

The Hughes & Coleman team was able to secure a $349,500 settlement for a Kentucky client injured in a head-on collision. The settlement was over eight times the original offer from the insurance company, $40,000.

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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

John Crisp

Top notch firm. Christina Martin and Mariana Goff have been awesome. Always super nice and both explain every question in detail, so believe me when I say if you’re in a wreck, please don’t try to go it alone.

Brittany Bentley

I cannot recommend Hughes & Coleman and their team highly enough. After my auto accident, I was overwhelmed, in pain, and unsure of what to do next. From the very first consultation, they were compassionate, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable.

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