Southside Injury
Attorneys
Georgia Dog Bite Attorneys
Every year, millions of Americans are bitten by dogs or other animal attacks. Dog bite claims fall under the umbrella of personal injury law, where the victim of a dog bite has the legal right to seek compensation for injuries caused by another party’s actions or negligence of owning or keeping a dog, or other vicious animal. The personal injury lawyers of Southside Injury Attorneys can help.
Southside Injury Attorneys
Atlanta Dog Bite Attorneys
Every year, millions of Americans are bitten by dogs or other animal attacks. Dog bite claims fall under the umbrella of personal injury law, where the victim of a dog bite has the legal right to seek compensation for injuries caused by another party’s actions or negligence of owning or keeping a dog, or other vicious animal. The personal injury lawyers of Southside Injury Attorneys can help.
Georgia Dog Bite Laws Explained
Dog bite laws vary by place and circumstance and are subject to a statute of limitations on the time you have to file a legal claim or personal injury claim. Our law firm’s personal injury attorneys specialize in knowing Georgia’s dog bite laws.
In general, Georgia laws entail the following:
- A dog bite victim has the right to seek compensation from any party whose negligence caused the dog bite attack, any party in violation of restraint or leash laws, or any party who knowingly harbors a vicious dog with a history of biting people
- Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership law defines a dangerous dog as one that causes a substantial puncture wound of a person’s skin with its teeth, aggressively attacks in a way that causes an individual to believe that the dog poses a reasonable, imminent threat reasonably, and while not on the dog owner’s property, kills a pet animal, among other characteristics
- A dog will not be classified as dangerous if the victim was injured while trespassing, provoking the dog, or attempting to commit a crime against the owner
- Landowners and landlords can also be liable for dog bites if the county or city they live in has a leash law and the owner of the dog fails to properly keep the dog in a fence or on a leash
Steagald v. Eason
Supreme Court of Georgia, 2017
Attorneys Andrew Gebhardt and Marc Avidano represented the victim of a dog attack in 2017. The owners of the pit bull that attacked their client denied having any knowledge of their dog’s propensity to bite and argued in the trial court that they should not be liable for their dog’s vicious attack. The trial court agreed with the owners of the pit bull. Andrew and Marc knew the trial court erred in dismissing their client’s case and fought the matter through the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Georgia. The Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s decision and Marc and Andrew got their client the justice she deserved.
If You Are Bitten By a Dog
- It is important to first seek any necessary medical treatment for serious injuries
- Gather evidence and pertinent information about the dog, including the breed, its owner, and any witnesses to the attack
- Report the incident to local police or animal control authorities so that a report may be made and appropriate rabies testing is performed on the dog
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Dog Bite Laws
Our team of experienced lawyers has handled numerous dog bite lawsuits even in the Supreme Court of Georgia. Our legal representation can help answer common questions you may have throughout your personal injury case, such as:
Does My Insurance Policy Cover Dog Bite Injuries?
Most homeowner’s insurance and business owner’s insurance will cover the costs of dog bite injuries. However, it is not standardly covered by renter’s insurance. Take the time to research what your insurance plan will cover in the case of a dog bite injury.
What Will I Have To Prove?
According to the Georgia Dog Bite Statute (O.C.G.A. 51-2-7), a dog bite victim must be able to prove the following three elements:
- The dog is vicious or dangerous
- The dog’s owner knew or should have known of the dog’s vicious or dangerous nature.
- The owner carelessly managed the dog, leading to the victim’s injury
- The injured person did nothing to provoke the dog to attack
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive?
No Georgia dog bite attorney can ethically guarantee the outcome of your case or the specific figure you will receive without analysis dependent on the particular facts present.
Our experienced dog bite lawyers can determine if you are entitled to compensation, which can include:
- Any permanent scarring, physical disfigurements, nerve damage, and the cost of scar revision or other medical care
- Current and future medical expenses
- Emotional distress, pain and suffering, psychological damage, or impact on your quality of life
- Lost wages, lost income, and any other losses or expenses related to the attack
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim?
You have up to two years following the incident to file a dog bite injury claim in the state of Georgia.
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Dog bite attacks in Georgia are common and can affect a victim for the rest of their life. If a dog has bitten you or a loved one, you need a dog bite lawyer familiar with the state of Georgia’s unique statutes who will give you the legal advice and aggressive representation you deserve. The team of Southside Injury Attorneys is dedicated to helping dog bite victims on the southside of Atlanta in Fayette County, Coweta County, Clayton County, Henry County, Newton County, Rockdale County, Spalding County, Butts County, Lamar County, and more.
Schedule your free consultation today. Call us at 866-982-5295 or fill out the web form to schedule your legal consultation or case evaluation.
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