Dog Bite Attorneys Seeking Real Justice for Injured Victims in Nashville & All of Tennessee
The Nashville dog bite lawyers at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers know a dog attack can change everything in a heartbeat. Whether it happened to you, your child, or someone else you cherish, the harm is more than physical; it reaches into every part of life. It’s frightening. It’s taxing. It’s unfair.
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we pride ourselves on Keeping It Real with our clients. Our team is here for you as compassionate, steadfast advocates. We listen first, move quickly, and tailor a strategy to your situation, your needs, and your future.
If you or a loved one was bitten or attacked, we’re here to protect your rights, guide you through the process, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward with hope. But this isn’t only about compensation; it’s about restoring peace of mind and a sense of control after a devastating trauma.
We know Tennessee dog bite laws and aren’t afraid to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to pursue Real Justice. Call 615-813-1111 or contact us online today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.
Let’s talk about what happened and how we can help. Our Nashville dog bite lawyers proudly represent clients throughout Tennessee.
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Why Choose Us?
When you’re facing one of the toughest moments of your life, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a trusted ally who will stand with you and fight for your rights.
What To Do If You’re Bitten by a Dog in Tennessee
A dog attack is disorienting, scary, painful, and often chaotic. What you do in the hours and days after can make a big difference in your physical recovery and your legal case. We recommend the following actions:
- Get medical care immediately: Even if the wound seems minor, get treated and tell providers it was a dog bite. Bites carry a high risk of infection. Additionally, these medical records will be vital to your claim.
- Get the dog owner’s information: Collect the owner’s name and contact info, details about the dog, vaccination status (rabies), and any prior incidents. If they refuse, let animal control know that in your report.
- Report the incident: File with local authorities and/or animal control (Nashville Animal Control) and ask for a report number.
- Document everything: Take photos of injuries, the dog, and the scene; save torn clothing; write down what happened; and gather witness names and numbers.
- Avoid statements to insurers: Before you speak with an adjuster or sign anything, talk to a Nashville dog bite attorney.
- Contact Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers: We’ll get to work quickly to protect your claim and reduce the stress on you and your family.
You don’t have to do all of this alone. While you focus on healing, our dedicated team of dog bite injury attorneys in Tennessee will champion your rights, handle the paperwork and insurer calls, and push for fair and full compensation.
We’re here, and we’re ready to help. Schedule your FREE consultation today.
Evidence Checklist
- Photos of injuries, the dog, the scene, etc.
- Medical records & bills
- Animal control/incident reports (including report number)
- Owner contact information
- Dog info (vaccination status, prior incidents, etc.)
- Witness names & contact info
- Torn/damaged clothing or property
- Employer proof of missed work
- Communications with dog owner and/or insurer
- Receipts & other out-of-pocket costs
Do I Have a Case? Tennessee Dog Bite Laws
Tennessee’s dog bite laws require owners to keep their dogs under reasonable control and to prevent them from running at large.
If a dog bites you in a public place or while you’re lawfully on someone else’s private property, the owner can be liable even if the dog never showed dangerous behavior before.
If the bite happened at the dog owner’s home, farm, or other noncommercial property (and the owner lives there, rents it, or is there with permission), you’ll also need to show the owner knew or should have known the dog could be dangerous.
There are a few situations where the law might not hold the owner responsible:
- If the dog is a police or military dog on duty
- If you were trespassing on the dog owner’s “private, non-residential property”
- If the dog was defending its owner or another innocent person from your (or your dog’s) attack
- If the dog was securely confined in a kennel, crate, or enclosure
- If you provoked the dog by “enticing, disturbing, alarming, [or] harassing” it
If a bite happens at an apartment complex, store, short‑term rental, or other business property, your claim may also involve premises liability. A property owner or manager’s duty is to keep shared areas reasonably safe (working gates/fences, leash rules, fixing known hazards). We look at what they knew or should have known, prior complaints, and whether safety measures were ignored.
Do you have a claim? If a dog bit you and you were lawfully present, you may have a claim against the owner or person in control of the dog. A FREE case review with one of our Nashville dog bite attorneys can determine whether you have a viable claim and discuss your options going forward.
Examples of Where Tennessee Dog Bite Laws Typically Apply
- Public sidewalks, streets & greenways
- Public parks & dog parks
- Apartment/condo common areas
- Stores & pet‑friendly patios
- Short‑term rentals & guest stays
- On‑the‑job deliveries
- Visits to friends or family
How Long Do I Have To File a Dog Bite Claim in Tennessee?
The Tennessee statute of limitations on dog bite injury claims is the same as that for personal injury claims: 1 year. That gives you just 12 months from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit. That’s a very short window, and if you miss it, you’ll likely lose your right to pursue compensation.
Moving quickly to consult with a dog bite attorney at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers protects your claim. It gives us time to hear and confirm your story, assemble a strong claim, negotiate with the insurer, and, if they won’t play fair, file your dog bite injury lawsuit before the 1-year deadline.
Reach out today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. It costs you nothing to get valuable answers, and there’s no fee unless we win.
Who’s Liable for Dog Bite Injuries?
Potentially liable parties may include:
- Dog owners or keepers (including sitters/walkers) who had control of the dog
- Property owners/landlords, when hazards in common areas or known risks are ignored
- Businesses (stores, groomers, boarding facilities, veterinary offices), when unsafe practices lead to a bite
- Short-term or rental hosts who fail to address unsafe conditions or known risks
If the process feels overwhelming, especially after everything you and your family have just been through, reach out. Our Nashville dog bite attorneys will listen, offer our support, and get to work as your Real Advocates, holding those responsible accountable for your suffering.
Damages in a Tennessee Dog Bite Injury Claim
After a dog attack, life can feel split into “before” and “after.” The struggle isn’t just your wound; it’s the fear, the sleepless nights, time away from work, and the care you might need months or years from now. We Keep It Real about every bit of it, so insurers can’t pretend your losses are small.
Potential damages include:
- Medical costs (ER visits, surgery, infection care, medications)
- Future care (scar revision, rehab, therapy)
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain & suffering
- Scarring/disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket expenses
If a dog attack took the life of someone you love, we know you are in unimaginable pain. No dollar figure can make that right, but a wrongful death claim could help your family cover funeral and burial costs, final medical bills, and the income and support your family depended on. While you grieve, we’ll shoulder the legal burden and pursue the accountability your family deserves.
Injuries from Dog Bites & Attacks
Every dog bite that breaks the skin is a medical concern and should be evaluated by a medical professional. Severity ranges from painful punctures to life‑altering trauma, especially for children and older adults. Beyond the physical harm, the emotional toll can be unbearable.
Common injuries we see:
- Puncture wounds that can damage muscle, tendons, or ligaments
- Lacerations and avulsions that may require stitches or surgery
- Nerve or tendon damage leading to numbness, weakness, or loss of function
- Fractures and joint injuries from knockdowns or crushing bites
- Scarring and disfigurement, often requiring revision procedures
- Psychological trauma such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD
- Serious infections, including tetanus, Pasteurella, and Capnocytophaga, can become life-threatening without prompt treatment
When a bite occurs, bacteria from a dog’s mouth can be driven deep into tissue. Without quick care, infections can spread and become dangerous. If your wound becomes red, warm, swollen, or increasingly painful, or if you develop fever or chills, seek emergency medical care right away. Your health comes first.
Why Dogs Bite
Dog bites are more common and serious than you may think. According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 people who are bitten need medical care. Dogs usually bite when something goes wrong: fear, pain, feeling cornered, or because warning signs were ignored and the dog wasn’t properly controlled.
Common reasons dogs bite:
- Fear or feeling threatened
- Pain or illness
- Territorial protection of home or family
- Resource guarding
- Maternal protection of puppies
- Poor socialization or rough handling
- Stress, anxiety, or overstimulation
- Predatory response to fast movement
No matter the cause, owners and those in control of the dog are responsible for preventing harm. When they don’t and someone gets hurt, accountability matters, and the dog bite injury attorneys at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can help you get it.
Do I Need To Hire a Lawyer for a Dog Bite?
You don’t have to hire an attorney to pursue a dog bite injury claim, but it is often your best move. This is especially true in Tennessee, where you have limited time to navigate the law and negotiations before the deadline to file a lawsuit is up.
If you or a cherished loved one is dealing with serious injuries, scarring, disputed liability, or an insurer minimizing your claim, having a dog bite lawyer can be the difference between a lowball offer and full and fair compensation. Don’t underestimate what top-tier representation can do for your recovery and your future.
– you are in good hands!
Here’s How Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers Can Help
We Keep It Real from day one. That means we listen, act fast, build a plan specific to your case and needs, and keep you informed and feeling supported every step of the way.
Here’s what our Nashville dog bite attorneys bring to the table:
- Real Advocacy: We stand between you and the insurance company, so your words aren’t twisted and your story is heard.
- Thorough Investigation: We evaluate reports, video, and witness testimonies, and work with medical and behavioral experts when needed.
- Real Experience: Decades of trial work and negotiations give us the judgment to see possible pitfalls and the skill to win.
- Client-Centered Strategy: We look at how this has affected all areas of your life and what you need to feel supported and hopeful.
- Real Results: More than $1 billion recovered for clients, and outcomes that restore stability because success is measured by every aspect of your recovery.
- Compassionate Communication: Clear, caring updates; direct answers; and a team that’s a phone call away.
- Peace of Mind: FREE consultations and no fee unless we win because money shouldn’t stand in the way of Real Justice.
Get Real Advocacy, Real Experience & Real Results—Start Today
If the dog bite injury claims process feels overwhelming after everything you’ve been through, reach out to us for help. You shouldn’t have to argue with insurers or miss a deadline when you’re healing.
Our Nashville dog bite lawyers will champion your rights, demand accountability, and keep your best interests at the forefront. We’ll create a strategy that puts your needs and those of your family first so that you can breathe and hope again.
Contact a Nashville Dog Bite Lawyer Today for a FREE Consultation
Have you or a loved one been bitten or attacked by a dog in Tennessee? Call 615-813-1111 or contact us online today to set up your FREE, no-obligation consultation.
We’ll listen, go over your options, and get to work pursuing the compensation you deserve. We’re here when you’re ready.