A dog bite in a Maryville subdivision and a dog bite out on a gravel road in Walland produce the same kind of wound, but they do not produce the same kind of case. Where the bite happened, who reported it to Blount County Animal Control, and whether the dog’s owner carries a standard homeowner’s policy or a farm liability policy can all change how much compensation is available and how hard the insurance company fights to avoid paying it.
Tennessee law generally holds a dog’s owner responsible for injuries the animal causes, whether or not the owner knew the dog had bitten someone before. That responsibility isn’t automatic, though. If the victim was trespassing, provoked the dog, or was bitten while the animal was working in a lawful capacity, such as on a farm, the owner may have a defense. That’s why documentation matters so much in these cases: incident reports filed with Blount County Animal Control, photographs of the property and any posted signage, and witness statements from neighbors or bystanders all help establish what actually happened.
Location also affects who else might share liability. A bite that occurs in a rented duplex in Maryville may involve both the dog owner’s insurance and the landlord’s policy if the property had a known history of an aggressive animal. A bite on rural acreage near Townsend may fall under a farm or umbrella policy instead of a typical homeowner’s policy, which can mean different coverage limits and different claims adjusters entirely. Knowing which policy applies, and pushing back when an insurer tries to shift the claim to a policy with lower limits, is part of building a strong case.
Medical treatment should never wait on any of this. Dog bites carry a real risk of infection, nerve damage, and scarring, and prompt treatment creates the medical record that supports a claim later. Once treatment is underway, the practical work of a claim begins: identifying the dog’s owner, confirming applicable insurance coverage, gathering animal control and police reports, and calculating the full cost of the injury, including medical bills, lost wages, and any long-term scarring or disfigurement.
The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto have represented injured victims across East Tennessee since 1979, and that includes people bitten by dogs in Blount County neighborhoods and on rural properties alike. We know how to identify every available insurance policy, how to work with Blount County Animal Control’s reporting process, and how to push back when an insurer tries to minimize a serious injury.
If you or someone you love was bitten by a dog in Maryville or anywhere in Blount County, call The Lawyers of Brown and Roberto today at (865) 761-2702 to schedule your free consultation, with no office visit required, to find out what our firm can do for you.