Dog Bite Injuries

April 17, 2025

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

Nearly every week, we get a call seeking representation after a dog bite or dog attack. The victims range from Amazon and UPS drivers to neighbors out walking their own dog. Sadly, more than 50% of all dog bite and dog attack victims are children. Because of their smaller stature, children are less able to defend themselves and often receive facial and neck bites that often can require plastic surgery to prevent serious scarring.

Unfortunately, man’s best friend can cause serious injuries and can even be deadly. In fact, the 2007 legislative act that significantly changed Tennessee dog bite law is named after Dianna Acklen who was mauled to death while out walking. Read on to learn what to do in the event of a confrontation with an aggressive dog, your responsibilities as a dog owner and what to do if you or someone you love is bitten or attacked by a dog. Continue reading

February 25, 2025

$30,000, No Strings Attached

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Following the Delta airlines crash at the Toronto airport last week, Delta has reportedly offered all passengers $30,000 “no strings attached and it does not affect rights”. Offers like this are rare and they raise a lot of questions such as: Is this an admission of liability by Delta? Can the passengers still pursue legal action against Delta? Was Delta required by aviation law to make this offer or is it a gesture of good will? Read on for some answers. Continue reading

February 6, 2025

Hosting A Super Bowl Party This Sunday? Do You Know Your Legal Responsibilities?

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here. Whether you are an Eagles fan, a Chiefs fan or you are just excited about the dips and commercials, if you are hosting a party, do you know legal responsibilities if you are serving alcohol? What about if your dog bites someone at the party? What about if your buffalo chicken dip gives everyone food poisoning? Read on to learn how Tennessee law handles some of these questions. Continue reading

July 29, 2024

Would You Settle for Less?

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Part of our job is to attempt to keep up with what our opponents (the insurance industry and their lawyers) are thinking and doing. One of the many ways we try to do that is by reading insurance industry publications such as Claims Journal. In a recent Claims Journal article, the author interviewed Harish Kapur, CEO of Across America Insurance Services. Mr. Kapur’s comments are nothing new to us, but they are a good reminder to anyone who is considering filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Here are three key take-aways:

The insurance companies handle injury claims all day-every day, while this is hopefully your one and only injury claim.

Mr. Kapur bragged about his “crack team of in-house adjusters” and how they “have to know everything about the file.” The insurance adjusters know what information is critical. They know how to ask questions and frame the narrative during a recorded statement. They are trained how to interview witnesses and scour the internet for information on you.

April 24, 2024

Dog Bites and Attacks: Not Always Man’s Best Friend

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Dogs are often referred to as “man’s best friend”. Apparently, the expression has its origins from an 1870 trial in Missouri, Burden v. Hornsby. Lawyer and senator, George Vest represented a man whose dog, Old Drum, had been shot by a neighbor for allegedly killing the neighbor’s sheep. In his closing arguments, while eulogizing Old Drum, Vest suggested the idea that a dog is man’s best friend.* But unfortunately, that is not always true. In fact, the number of dog bites and dog attacks is increasing. Read on for the surprising statistics and how to prevent dog bites and attacks. Continue reading

February 26, 2024

What Is a Release of All Claims?

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

For Valentine’s Day, I received a gift card for a spa. When I began to book an appointment online for the massage, I was asked to electronically sign a Release of All Claims. Among other things, the Release of All Claims for a massage at this spa stated that if death resulted from the massage, then the spa was not responsible. There were also other excessive provisions. I declined to sign the Release of All Claims, and the spa was kind enough to refund the purchased gift card, but the outrageousness of their request is not particularly isolated. Every day, businesses ask their prospective customers to sign releases before providing services or allowing participation in activities. As such, we thought it would be good to review what exactly is a release of all claims. Continue reading

November 3, 2023

Don’t Be Cute

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Litigation is fighting with rules, confrontation with a referee. Most people do not enjoy confrontation, and for others, it brings out their worst. If you are involved in litigation or have a claim that may result in litigation, please take our advice: don’t get cute. A few news articles lately have shown what happens when people try to get cute during litigation. Continue reading

February 8, 2023

Answers to Common Dog Bite and Dog Attack Questions

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Our award-winning lawyers see a steady flow of dog bite and dog attack cases. Unfortunately, sometimes man’s best friend is a menace. While we have a lot of information on our website (links to pages below), here are some quick answers to other common questions:

Can dog bites be stitched?

This depends upon the damage done by the dog bite. If it is a deep puncture wound, medical professionals may decide to leave the wound unstitched. Placement of drain and antibiotics may be the preferred course of treatment. Other wounds will need to be stitched. The best course of action for anyone who has sustained a dog bite is to seek medical attention and follow the advice of medical professionals.

January 20, 2023

“We’re Not the Suing Family”

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

Kristen Chenoweth, the Emmy and Tony winning actress, has a new book out, and this week she has been giving interviews to promote it. In the interviews, she has talked at length about the serious injuries she sustained in an accident on the set of the television show “The Good Wife.” Lighting equipment on the set fell and hit her causing a fractured skull, a fractured rib and nose, broken teeth and other long-lasting injuries. Chenoweth’s Dad counseled her to get legal representation. She did not. She now regrets it. Here are some things you should think about if you are hurt in an accident and are reluctant to seek legal representation. Continue reading

August 29, 2022

Animals and Accidents: What You Need to Know

by The Law Offices of John Day, P.C.

We all know that animals can cause all types of accidents including car and motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, trips and falls, etc. We also know that animals can be hurt or killed in accidents and by other animals. But there are so many questions from these two basic facts. For example, does auto insurance cover pet injuries? Do I have to report an accident involving an animal? If a neighbor’s dog kills my dog, how much can I recover? If my dog bites someone, is it covered under my homeowner’s policy. Read on for quick answers to common questions surrounding animals and accidents: Continue reading