
Dog bites can lead to severe injuries and psychological trauma. If someone else’s dog bit you, you may have the right to file a dog bite claim to seek compensation for the full extent of your damages. A Lexington dog bite lawyer can help you demand justice and accountability.
The Kentucky attorneys at Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of combined experience. Our grit, determination, and unwavering pursuit of excellence have resulted in over $150 million in recovery for our deserving clients. We can explain your legal rights and walk you through your legal options during a free consultation. Contact us today at (859) 413-3900 to get started.
How Can a Lexington Dog Bite Lawyer Help Me?

Dog bites can cause serious injuries and lasting emotional scars. After a dog bite, you have enough on your plate trying to manage multiple doctor visits, coordinate your return to work, and resume your normal life activities. To make matters worse, the dog owner and/or their insurer may be refusing to take responsibility for your injuries, leaving you wondering how you are going to pay for all your expensive medical bills and missed time from work.
A Lexington personal injury attorney from Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers can help safeguard your rights by:
- Investigating the attack and determining who is at fault for your injuries
- Requesting copies of police or animal control reports
- Reviewing your medical records
- Explaining your legal rights to you and advising you of your options for pursuing financial compensation
- Compiling evidence to prove fault and the full extent of your damages
- Handling communication with insurance companies and third parties on your behalf
- Filing insurance claims on your behalf
- Negotiating for maximum compensation
Let our capable Lexington personal injury attorneys handle your legal claim while you focus on your recovery. Get started on your path to financial recovery by contacting us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
How Common Are Dog Bites?
According to the National Safety Council, approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year. One in five gets infected.
Researchers conducted a longitudinal study of Kentucky dog bite cases that involved medicolegal investigation in the state. Over the 15-year review period, researchers found 11 deaths, 10 of which involved multiple bite marks and blunt force injuries of the head, neck, trunk, and limbs. The eleventh involved a person who died because of a bacterial sepsis infection.
Researchers said that more than 300 people died of dog attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1996. Children under 12 and elderly individuals over age 70 were the most likely dog bite fatality victims. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds represented the most popular breeds implicated in the fatalities.
Louisville Metro Animal Services investigated 1,317 dog bite cases from January 1, 2020 to January 13, 2024. 98 people died in the United States from dog bites in 2022. People have reported at least ten fatalities involving pit bulls in Kentucky since 2017.
Despite these staggering statistics, dog owners continue to allow their animals off leash or fail to control them to prevent these devastating attacks.
What Are Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries?
Dog bites and the physical trauma that occurs during an animal attack can cause various injuries, including:
- Facial injuries: Many dog bite victims are children. The dog may lash out and bite the face, ear, lips, or upper portion of their body, potentially causing disfiguring injuries.
- Fractures: During an animal attack, the dog may jump on top of the victim or make them fall down, leading to broken hips, pelvises, arms, or legs.
- Puncture wounds: Puncture wounds refer to when a dog’s teeth puncture the skin, often causing deep wounds and heavy bleeding. Punctures increase the risk of infection.
- Abrasions: Abrasions refer to scrapes and grazes on the skin. In some cases, abrasions can cause scarring and serve as a painful reminder of the attack.
- Lacerations: Lacerations are cuts that go past the outer layer of skin into the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and bones. Some dog bite lacerations can cause severe bleeding and may require stitches.
- Rabies: Rabies is a serious illness that can result in death if not immediately diagnosed and treated.
- Tetanus: Dog bite victims can also be infected by tetanus, especially if they have not received a recent vaccination for it.
- Infections: Dogs have bacteria in their mouth, which can transfer during a dog bite.
- Death: Some dog bites are so severe that they result in wrongful death.
If you or a loved one suffered any of the injuries described above, contact our personal injury law firm to take steps to protect your rights.
Is Kentucky a One Bite State?
When dealing with dog bites, most states follow either a one-bite rule or a strict liability rule. In one-bite states, the owner may be able to avoid liability if this is the first time that their dog has bitten someone because the dog owner may not have been aware of their dog’s propensity to bite. In strict liability states, the dog’s owner is held responsible for the bite if it occurred in situations described under the statute. The victim does not need to show the dog owner was negligent or aware of their dog’s propensity for violence.
Kentucky is a strict liability state. Its law states that any owner of a dog that is found to have caused damage to a person, livestock, or other property is responsible for that damage.
What Financial Compensation Can I Recover After a Dog Bite in Kentucky?
If a dog bit you, you may be able to seek compensation for your dog bite injuries, which may provide compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, doctor visits, diagnostic tests, vaccinations, surgeries, and medication related to your injury
- Lost wages for income you lost while recovering from your injuries
- Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you endured because of the attack
- Psychological counseling to cope with the trauma and emotional distress caused by the attack
An experienced dog bite lawyer can fight for compensation that recognizes the short- and long-term impact of the dog bite on your life.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
The potential value of your dog bite can depend on several factors, including:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- The type of medical treatment you required and its duration
- How long you were out of work and whether you were permanently disabled
- How the dog bite has affected your life
- The full extent of your pain and suffering
- Whether you contributed to the attack
- Insurance coverage available for your claim
Let our Lexington dog bite attorneys evaluate your case to determine its value.
What to Do After a Dog Bite
Dog bites can be traumatizing experiences, so it can be difficult to remain calm and think about your legal rights during a time like this. However, if you can manage to do so, take these steps to protect your health and your claim:
- Seek medical attention: Dog bites can cause severe injuries, and infections are common. Seek medical care immediately to minimize the long-term impact of the dog bite.
- Report the incident: Call animal control to report the incident so the dog does not bite anyone else. Request a copy of the report. Animal control may also have past reports regarding the same dog or owner.
- Get information: Ask the dog owner for their name, contact information, and homeowner’s insurance provider. Request a copy of the veterinary records.
- Take pictures: Photograph where the dog bite occurred, any factors that could have contributed to it, and your injuries.
- Talk to witnesses: Ask witnesses for their names and contact information.
Next, contact an experienced dog bite attorney who can gather additional evidence to prove your case and seek compensation for your damages.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for the Dog Bite?
Dog owners might try to shirk their responsibility by blaming the victim. Even though Kentucky is a strict liability state for dog bites, their damages can be reduced if they are found partially at fault for the attack, per the state’s pure comparative negligence rule.
Under this rule, the damages a dog owner must pay a dog bite victim is reduced by the victim’s share of fault. For example, if the dog owner alleges the victim was provoking the dog, the jury could find the plaintiff partially responsible for their own injuries and reduce their financial recovery by their degree of fault.
What Is the Statute of Limitations to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Kentucky?
Many dog bite claims can be resolved by filing an insurance claim with the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance or other insurance provider. However, if it’s necessary to file a lawsuit, Kentucky law only gives you one year after the attack to do so. This is why it’s so critical to contact an experienced Lexington dog bite lawyer right away. They will need time to prepare your case for maximum compensation.
Call Our Lexington Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Irresponsible dog owners should be held liable when they allow their dogs to injure others. If a dog bit you or a loved one, a Lexington dog bite lawyer from Ross Mann Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call today for your free evaluation.