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Personal injury
Louisville dog bite lawyer.
Kentucky holds dog owners responsible for the damage their dogs cause. Bites, knock-downs and the scarring, infection and fear that follow, especially for children, are compensable injuries, and the claim is usually paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance.
Kentucky's dog bite law is on the victim's side.
Unlike states that give a dog "one free bite," Kentucky makes the owner of a dog liable for damage the dog causes to a person, livestock or property. The victim does not have to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous. Fault can still be shared, for example if the injured person provoked the animal or was trespassing, and Kentucky's comparative fault rules apply. But the starting point is that the owner is responsible.
Who pays
Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, not by the owner personally. That matters, because it means a claim can be pursued against a neighbor, a friend or a family member without bankrupting them. Some policies exclude certain breeds or require the dog to be listed, and landlords can sometimes be responsible when they knew a dangerous dog was on the property. Justin identifies the coverage early.
Children are the most common dog bite victims and are usually bitten on the face, head and neck. Scarring, plastic surgery and lasting fear are part of the claim. Kentucky's filing deadline for a minor's claim is extended, but evidence is not, so families should still call promptly.
What to do after a bite
- Get medical care immediately. Dog bites carry a high infection risk and may need antibiotics, a tetanus shot or rabies evaluation.
- Identify the dog and the owner. Name, address and, if possible, vaccination records.
- Report the bite to Louisville Metro Animal Services. The report documents the incident and may reveal prior complaints about the dog.
- Photograph everything: the wounds as they heal, torn clothing, the location.
- Do not give a statement to the owner's insurer before talking to Justin.
What a dog bite claim covers
Emergency treatment, wound care and reconstructive surgery, lost wages, and compensation for pain, scarring and psychological injury. Attacks that knock a person down, causing fractures or head injuries, are covered by the same statute even when there is no bite.
The deadline
Dog bite claims in Kentucky are generally subject to the one-year personal injury limit. Justin recommends calling within days of the attack so the animal control record, witness accounts and photos are preserved.
Common questions
Dog bites: what people ask first.
The dog belongs to a family member. Do I really want to sue them?
The claim is usually against their homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, not their bank account. Many families pursue these claims precisely because the injuries are real and the coverage exists to pay for them.
The owner says the dog has never bitten anyone. Does that matter?
Not under Kentucky law. Owners are liable for the damage their dogs cause regardless of the dog's history, though prior incidents can affect the value of the claim.
What if I was on the owner's property?
Visitors, delivery workers, guests and service people are all protected. Trespassing or provoking the dog can reduce the recovery under comparative fault but usually does not eliminate it.
Will the dog be put down?
That is a separate decision made by animal control under local ordinances, not something a civil claim decides. Justin can explain how the two processes interact.
Hurt and not sure what to do next?
Call Justin. The consultation is free, and injury cases are handled on contingency.