How to Document a Dog Bite for a Legal Claim

Why Documentation Matters in Dog Bite Cases

After a dog bite, your immediate focus should be on safety and medical attention. But once the danger has passed and treatment has begun, thorough documentation becomes critical. In Tennessee, dog bite victims may be entitled to compensation under Tennessee Code Annotated § 44-8-413. To receive compensation for medical expenses, pain, lost income, or long-term impairment, you must present clear and compelling evidence of the incident and its consequences.

Proper documentation helps establish liability and the severity of your injuries. It protects your right to recover damages and ensures that your legal claim is supported by facts. Insurance adjusters, opposing counsel, and even courts rely on written records, photographs, reports, and consistent medical files to determine whether a claim is valid and how much compensation should be awarded.

At the Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we help injury victims gather, organize, and preserve the evidence they need to build a strong case. With offices in Brentwood, Nashville, and Murfreesboro, our firm is proud to represent clients throughout Davidson County and beyond.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your first step after a dog bite should always be to seek medical care. Dog bites can introduce dangerous bacteria into the body, leading to infections like cellulitis, sepsis, or tetanus. Even seemingly minor wounds can result in complications if left untreated.

Prompt treatment not only protects your health but also creates the first official record of your injury. Emergency room records, urgent care notes, and physician documentation serve as evidence that the injury occurred and help establish the severity of the bite. Medical professionals may also assess the risk of rabies exposure and determine if a rabies vaccine or tetanus shot is required.

Do not wait to see if the injury worsens. Any delay can affect both your health and the credibility of your legal claim. Make sure to tell the provider exactly what happened and that a dog bite caused the injury. This detail should be included in your medical records and will be valuable when your attorney presents your case.

Report the Bite to Local Authorities

Under Tennessee law, a dog owner may be strictly liable for injuries their dog causes to someone lawfully in a public place or on private property, so long as the person was acting peaceably and did not provoke the dog. Tennessee Code Annotated § 44-8-413 governs this area of law and supports a victim’s right to compensation.

Reporting the incident to local authorities such as animal control, law enforcement, or the health department creates an official record that may support your legal claim. Authorities can investigate the dog’s history, determine if prior incidents have occurred, and verify that the dog’s vaccinations are current. These agencies may also issue citations, warnings, or require that the animal be quarantined or tested for rabies.

A dog bite report typically includes the date, time, location, identity of the dog and its owner, and a description of the attack. Request a copy of the report for your own records. If you do not know where to file a report, our attorneys can assist you in notifying the appropriate agency.

Identify the Dog and Its Owner

Identifying the dog that bit you and its owner is essential to pursuing a claim. Without knowing who owns the dog, you may not be able to hold anyone accountable. If the incident occurred on private property, ask the property owner or residents about the dog’s identity. If it happened in a neighborhood or public space, neighbors or witnesses may be able to help.

If the owner refuses to cooperate or provides false information, animal control or law enforcement may be able to intervene. In some cases, security footage, doorbell cameras, or social media can assist in identifying the dog and its handler.

Be sure to record the owner’s name, address, phone number, and any statements they make. If they admit that the dog has bitten before or apologize for the incident, write down their exact words. These admissions may be useful later in establishing liability.

Take Photographs of the Injuries and Scene

Photographs provide visual proof of what happened and are among the most persuasive forms of evidence in a dog bite case. Take clear, high-quality photos of your injuries as soon as possible after the attack. If the wound progresses or worsens, continue to document it during the healing process.

Photographs should show any lacerations, bruises, swelling, bandages, or surgical stitches. Include close-up shots as well as wider images that show the location of the injury on your body. If there are scratches, torn clothing, or blood on the scene, document those as well.

If possible, photograph the location where the bite occurred. Include any broken fencing, open gates, leash remnants, or relevant environmental features that might demonstrate how the attack happened. If the dog was roaming without restraint, try to capture that detail.

These images create a timeline of the injury and support your narrative. When presented in court or during negotiations, they can help jurors or adjusters understand the extent of your suffering and the seriousness of the dog owner’s negligence.

Collect Witness Information

Witnesses can support your version of events and provide credibility to your claim. If anyone saw the dog bite occur or witnessed the aftermath, ask for their name, phone number, and written or verbal statement. Neighbors, delivery drivers, passersby, and bystanders in parks or dog-friendly areas may have valuable observations.

Statements from witnesses may confirm that the dog was loose, aggressive, unprovoked, or had bitten before. Witnesses may also be able to describe the dog owner’s behavior before and after the attack. For example, they may recall the owner yelling at the dog, failing to restrain it, or leaving the scene without offering help.

Your attorney may follow up with these individuals and, if necessary, obtain sworn affidavits or deposition testimony. Independent witnesses can be especially important if the dog owner disputes responsibility or blames you for provoking the dog.

Preserve Medical Records and Treatment Details

Keep copies of all medical records related to your treatment. This includes emergency room notes, imaging studies, prescription details, therapy referrals, surgical reports, and follow-up evaluations. Your medical documentation will be central to proving the nature, cost, and duration of your recovery.

It is also important to document any pain, physical limitations, or emotional distress you experience. This can be done by keeping a personal injury journal. In this journal, write daily or weekly entries about how your injuries affect your life. Note sleep disruption, difficulty working, missed activities, ongoing pain, or psychological symptoms such as anxiety or fear of dogs.

These personal notes, combined with medical records and physician statements, help create a full picture of your injury. They provide context for non-economic damages like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.

Track All Financial Losses

Dog bite victims often face a variety of financial burdens. In addition to medical costs, you may lose wages due to time off work, need assistance with transportation, or be forced to cancel travel or child care plans.

Save every bill, receipt, and financial document related to the attack. This includes insurance co-pays, over-the-counter supplies, wound care products, travel expenses for medical appointments, and invoices for psychological counseling. If your injury causes long-term impairment or loss of earning capacity, these details will support future damage calculations.

If you are self-employed or work on a contract basis, gather evidence of lost business opportunities or missed appointments. Your attorney can use tax returns, invoices, and client correspondence to quantify your economic losses.

Comply with Medical Advice and Appointments

Insurance companies closely examine whether a victim followed medical advice. If you miss appointments, ignore treatment instructions, or stop therapy early, the insurer may argue that your injuries were not serious or that you failed to mitigate your damages.

Attend all follow-up appointments and follow through on specialist referrals, physical therapy, and prescribed medications. Keep a log of your appointments and any work restrictions issued by your doctor. If you are unable to attend an appointment, be sure to reschedule and document the reason.

Compliance with treatment not only improves your health but also strengthens your claim. It shows that you are taking your recovery seriously and doing everything in your power to heal from the trauma.

Avoid Discussing the Incident on Social Media

After a traumatic event, it can be tempting to share your story online. However, anything you post on social media can be used by insurance companies or defense attorneys to challenge your claim. Comments, photographs, or check-ins that suggest you are not injured or that contradict your statements may be taken out of context.

Until your case is resolved, it is best to avoid posting about the attack, your injuries, your recovery, or your legal case. Even well-meaning posts from friends or family may be misinterpreted. Let your attorney handle all communication about the incident and advise you on how to protect your privacy.

Contact a Lawyer as Soon as Possible

Dog bite cases can quickly become complicated. Dog owners may deny responsibility, insurers may offer low settlements, and key evidence may disappear. Tennessee law imposes time limits on personal injury claims, so it is important to act quickly.

At the Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we offer a free consultation to dog bite victims. We will review your documentation, advise you on your legal options, and begin building your case immediately. Our team will gather evidence, manage communications with insurers, and pursue full compensation for your losses.

Our attorneys are recognized leaders in Tennessee injury law and are committed to helping victims receive the justice they deserve. With offices in Brentwood, Nashville, and Murfreesboro, we proudly serve clients throughout Davidson County and Middle Tennessee.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, proper documentation can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful recovery. Do not leave your future to chance. Let our experienced team help you navigate the legal process and hold negligent dog owners accountable.

Call the Law Offices of John Day, P.C. at (615) 742-4880 for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for your rights, your recovery, and your peace of mind.