Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.

A Basic Guide to Dog Bite Laws in Kentucky

Published on Nov 28, 2017 by Thomas Law Offices.

Dog bites can be scary and severe. In 2016, there were 31 U.S. fatalities from dog bites. Over $600 million of homeowners insurance liability claim dollars went to dog bites or dog-related injuries.

When a sudden attack happens, you will most likely need medical treatment. If bills start to pile up, you’ll probably think about suing for damages so you don’t have to take financial responsibility for the bite.

But these situations can also have added stress if you know the dog’s owner. While you might need to file a lawsuit so you can get compensation, you might worry about damaging your relationship with the dog owner. While this can potentially lead to awkward situations, you must take care of yourself.

If you need help filing a claim in Kentucky, you should contact Thomas Law Offices. Our team of injury lawyers are skilled and passionate people who are eager to help you fight for your rights. We understand that a dog bite case could be difficult for myriad reasons, and we’re here to make the process smoother and easier.

What Other Injuries Can Dogs Cause?

Dogs can still cause damage if they don’t bite. If you’re on another property and a dog knocks you over and you get injured, you can file a lawsuit. While it doesn’t necessarily involve a bite, if a dog causes damage or harm, the owner is at fault.

Any time a dog hurts someone, their livestock, or damages property, and someone can prove that the dog’s actions caused the damage, then there is a chance to file for a lawsuit.

What If You’re the Dog Owner?

This is a terrible scenario for everyone involved, especially if you’re the dog owner and never thought this could happen. What can you do in this situation? Looking at the case, you might show that your dog didn’t do this out of nowhere if you can prove one of the following:

  • The other party provoked the dog. This includes hurting, invading the dog’s space, or any action that would elicit an aggressive response.
  • The other party trespassed onto your property.

In Kentucky, these defenses will not completely get rid of the lawsuit, but they could reduce the amount of damages the other party could claim.

Why Should You File a Claim?

Dog bite injuries or dog-related injuries could develop more serious repercussions over time. For instance, a dog could knock you over and you hit your head. It doesn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but later on you might have trouble with memory or concentration, meaning you have a brain injury.

This issue was a result of the dog’s actions. You could now face medical bills for your recovery and rehabilitation and not have the funds to do it.

When you file a claim with a trusted lawyer, you have someone in your corner who has experience in these cases, knows what to look for, and will do all they can to get you full compensation.

Do You Need a Louisville, Kentucky Dog Bite Lawyer?

Have you or a loved one been injured by a dog? Are you confused as to what your next steps should be?

Give Thomas Law Offices a call today at (877) 256-4296. We’ll go over the case step by step, so you always know what’s going on and why. With our representation, you’ll get hardworking, highly capable lawyers who will do all they can for you and your case.

Free Case Evaluation

At Thomas Law Offices, our personal injury attorneys recognize that our potential clients are likely going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We don't want you to have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal advice when you're just starting to learn your legal rights and options. That's why we provide free case evaluations. We'll offer our expert advice about your potential case and walk you through how we can help you.

Call us or fill out the form below to tell us about your potential case and a personal injury lawyer will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Meet Our Founder

Tad Thomas - Trial Lawyer

Tad Thomas

Managing Partner

Tad Thomas has dedicated his practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil litigation, including personal injury, business litigation, class actions, and multi-district litigation.

After graduating with his law degree in 2000 from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Mr. Thomas immediately opened his own private practice and began representing injury victims.

In 2011, Thomas Law Offices was established in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the past decade, Mr. Thomas has expanded his firm and now has offices in three additional locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbia, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics like trial skills and ethics and technology.

Legal & Firm News

Former Nebraska Women’s Basketball Player Sues Coach & University Over Alleged Sexual Grooming

A February 18 civil lawsuit filed by a former University of Nebraska basketball player alleges that the male associate head coach of her then-team used their position of authority to groom her into a sexual relationship with them. This alleged sexual misconduct occurred between 2020 and 2022. Listed as defendants in the lawsuit are the […]

Read More

Iowa Nursing Home Staff Abused and Laughed at Patients According to Records

A whistleblower retaliation lawsuit filed on Feb. 15, 2024, reveals how there was pervasive mistreatment of nursing home residents at a DesMoines, Iowa nursing home beginning as early as March 2022.   A later Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals (DIA) investigation, launched after her dismissal, confirmed the majority of those reports (and others) alleging staff […]

Read More

Tad Thomas Named Lawdragon 500 Leading Consumer Plaintiff Lawyer for 2024

Thomas Law Offices is proud to announce that founder, Tad Thomas, has been recognized by Lawdragon on the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers list. Tad has been a trial lawyer for over 20 years. He founded Thomas Law Offices in Louisville, Kentucky, and over the years, his reputation and practice have grown, expanding […]

Read More
Tad Thomas on The National Crime Victim Bar Association
National Civil Justice Institute - Trustee
Tad Thomas on Lawyer Minds
Tad Thomas on American Association for Justice
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Ohio Association for Justice
Kentucky Justice Association
Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America
Martindale Hubbell Preeminent
2021 Public Justice Member
AAJ Masters of Trial Law: Champion