A dog bite can flip a normal day into pain, fear, and a long recovery. The wounds hurt, and the memories stick around. If this happened to you or your child, you deserve straight answers and real help.
At Johnnie Bond Law, we represent dog bite victims in Washington, D.C. and Tennessee. Our focus is simple: your recovery and your future. We guide medical care, track every loss, and build strong claims from day one.
This article explains your legal rights and the steps that protect your health and your case. We keep things clear, avoid legal talk, and work the problem with you. If something here raises questions, feel free to call us.
Immediate Steps After a Dog Bite
Quick action helps your health and your claim. Even small bites can lead to infection or scarring, and a timely record makes a difference later.
Prioritize Medical Attention
Get medical care right away, even if the wound looks small. Bites can cause infection, nerve injury, and deep tissue damage. A clean and treated wound heals better and reduces long-term problems.
Common injuries from dog bites include lacerations, punctures, infections like rabies or tetanus, scarring, and nerve damage. Children often encounter facial wounds that need careful follow-up. Adults can also develop stiffness or limited motion near the bite.
Your medical records show what happened and when it happened. They connect the bite to the treatment and costs, which supports your claim.
Once you are stable, take steps to report the attack.
Report the Incident
Report the bite to animal control or the local health department. This creates an official record and helps track dangerous dogs in the community.
Include details in your report:
- Dog owner’s name, address, and contact information, if known
- Description of the dog, breed, size, color
- Exact location of the attack and date
- Names and contacts for witnesses
Keep a copy or screenshot of your report number. It helps us track records later. After you report the bite, gather proof you might need later.
Document Everything
Thorough records make your claim stronger. Start right away while details are fresh.
- Photos of injuries over time, the scene, any torn clothing, and the dog, if safe
- Medical bills, pharmacy receipts, mileage to appointments, and out-of-pocket costs
- A written timeline, pain journal, and notes about sleep or mental health changes
Clear documentation helps show the full impact on your life, not just the ER bill. It also pushes back against low offers.
If you can safely do so, collect basic info on the dog and owner.
Identify the Dog and Owner
Knowing who owns the dog helps with liability and insurance. It also helps assess the rabies risk.
- Dog’s breed, size, color, and any tags or collar info
- Owner’s name, phone, and address
- Location of the incident and any security cameras nearby
- Dog’s vaccination history, if the owner is available
If the owner refuses to share information, report that in your animal control submission and tell medical staff.
Overview of Dog Bite Liability Laws
Dog bite rules vary by state. Some use a one-bite concept or negligence, others apply stricter rules. Local leash laws and ordinances also matter.
The “One-Bite Rule” and Negligence
Under the one-bite rule, the victim often needs to show the owner knew, or should have known, that the dog had dangerous tendencies. Signs can include prior bites, lunging, or repeated aggressive behavior. Proof of that knowledge can establish liability.
Many cases are also based on negligence. If an owner fails to use reasonable care, like ignoring leash rules or leaving a gate open, they can be held responsible even without a prior bite. Several states have moved away from strict one-bite ideas, making it easier for injured people to recover.
Next, here is a quick look at the rules in our service areas.
Washington, D.C. and Tennessee Laws
Washington, D.C. often treats leash and control violations as strong evidence of fault. D.C. also follows contributory negligence, which can bar recovery if the victim is found at fault in any small way. Careful evidence collection matters here.
Tennessee’s statute imposes liability when a dog injures a person in a public place or when the person is lawfully on private property. A “residential property” exception can limit strict liability at the owner’s home, shifting the focus to whether the owner knew or should have known about risky behavior. Defenses can include trespass or provocation.
The table below gives a simple comparison. Your facts still control the outcome.
| Jurisdiction | Liability Framework | Defenses Often Raised | Notes |
| Washington, D.C. | Negligence with strong leash and control rules | Contributory negligence, provocation, trespass | Ordinance violations can support liability |
| Tennessee | Statutory liability in public or lawful presence, with residential exception | Provocation, trespass, working dogs exceptions | Knowledge standard can apply on owner’s property |
Property owners can also share responsibility in some situations.
Landlord Liability
A landlord can be liable if they knew, or should have known, a tenant kept a dangerous dog and they failed to act. This can apply in common areas like halls, lobbies, or shared yards. The facts and lease terms matter, so early investigation helps.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Dog attacks can happen to anyone. Some groups face higher exposure or more severe effects.
Children
Young children often suffer facial bites and complex scarring. They can also carry long-term fear and sleep problems. These cases need careful handling and child-focused damages.
Delivery and Postal Workers
People who visit private property for work face unpredictable dogs behind doors or gates. Workers’ compensation can cover medical care and lost income. A separate claim against the dog owner can address pain, scarring, and other losses.
Pedestrians and Joggers
Off-leash dogs in parks or sidewalks create sudden danger. Owners are often found negligent in these public settings. Photos and witness names go a long way here.
Seniors
Older adults can face fractures, infections, and longer hospital stays. Pre-existing conditions can complicate recovery. Care plans and home-help costs need to be documented.
Damages You Can Recover in a Dog Bite Claim
A fair claim covers both the medical side and the ripple effects in daily life. We prepare for future needs as well.
- Medical expenses, emergency care, surgery, antibiotics, plastic surgery, rehab, and scar care
- Lost income and reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, including sleep problems and daily limitations
- Mental health care for PTSD, anxiety, or fear of dogs
- Disfigurement and scarring, including revision procedures
- Child-focused damages tied to long-term trauma and future treatment
We build every case like it could go to trial, which helps us push for stronger outcomes.
How Insurance Companies Undervalue Claims
Insurers move fast and try to pay as little as possible. Early calls often seek recorded statements that hurt your case.
- Downplaying the wound or saying the scar will fade quickly
- Arguing you provoked the dog or ignored warnings
- Blaming a prior condition for pain or limited motion
- Offering a quick, low settlement before you know the true costs
We push back with medical proof, professional opinions, and full documentation. If talks stall, we are ready to take the case to court.
Building a Strong Legal Case
Evidence wins dog bite cases. The more we gather early, the stronger your claim.
- Medical records, bills, and provider notes about scarring and function
- Witness statements and contact info
- Photos of injuries at multiple stages and pictures of the scene
- Animal control or police reports and prior complaints
- Veterinary or licensing records tied to the dog
- Employment records and wage loss proof
Our firm helps collect, organize, and present this material in a simple, persuasive way.
If the Dog Owner Is a Friend or Neighbor
This worry is common, and we get it. In most cases, you are filing a claim through their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, not taking money from their pocket. We handle the process with care and keep the focus on your medical needs.
What if the Dog Owner Flees or Denies Responsibility?
Do not chase the dog or risk another personal injury. Take a breath, then start gathering info.
- Ask witnesses for names, phone numbers, and photos they captured
- Look for security or doorbell cameras at homes or businesses nearby
- File animal control and police reports right away
- Talk to your doctor about rabies prevention if the dog cannot be found
We can help canvas the area and secure footage before it gets overwritten.
Contact Johnnie Bond Law for Assistance
If you were bitten by a dog in Washington, D.C. or Tennessee, we can help you get the care and the compensation you need. We welcome your questions and offer a free consultation to review your options and next steps. Call (202) 683-6803 or reach us through our Contact Us page, and let’s talk about what comes next for you.