Dog bites can lead to severe injuries, necessitating extensive recovery periods. Although the dog itself isn’t legally accountable, a skilled legal team can assist you in seeking financial restitution from the owner.
If you or someone close to you has suffered a dog bite, you might qualify for compensation. A dedicated Atlanta dog bite lawyer from John Foy & Associates is ready to support you in pursuing a claim against the responsible owner.
If your claim is rejected, legal action can be pursued in court to seek compensation. Our dedicated team of pound law experts at John Foy and Associates in Atlanta is here to offer the support and representation essential for your dog bite case.
What to Do Immediately After Being Bitten by a Dog
If you’re ever bitten or attacked by a dog, swift action is key. Firstly, prioritize your safety by seeking immediate medical attention. While doing so, gather pertinent details: take photos of both the dog and your injuries, speak with witnesses, and note down their names.
Next, dial 911 to ensure that an official report is filed by the police. Additionally, inform Fulton County Animal Services about the incident.
The most critical information to obtain is the dog owner’s name and address. Any compensation for your injuries should ideally come from their homeowners insurance. In cases involving unidentified dog owners, legal assistance can be sought to deploy investigators to the scene in an attempt to locate the owner.
Who to Report Your Dog Bite to in the State of Georgia
Following a dog bite, your first step is to reach out to the local authorities to file a report with the police. If there’s a need for medical attention, don’t hesitate to dial emergency services. The police might take charge of the dog and trace its owner. It’s also wise to inform Animal Control as a precautionary measure.
Subsequently, get in touch with pound law attorneys. They specialize in helping you secure the financial compensation necessary for your recovery. Remember, prioritizing medical treatment is crucial. Even seemingly minor dog bites can result in severe health complications like rabies or tetanus.
Can You Sue for a Dog Bite in Georgia?
Under pound law, pursuing damages from a dog owner after an attack is often an option. However, specific conditions must be fulfilled to initiate legal action. The law mandates that the owner must be cognizant of the dog’s propensity to attack or display aggression. Atlanta dog bite attorneys typically employ investigators to ascertain if Animal Control has been contacted in the past regarding the involved dog. To proceed with a case, your lawyer must demonstrate that the dog owner was aware of their pet’s aggressive nature.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Dog Bite?
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, navigating the legal landscape can be challenging. Some dog owners might resist filing a claim with their homeowner’s insurance company, instead shifting blame to you to avoid paying. A skilled dog bite lawyer can advocate for you, assisting with your claim, compiling compelling evidence, and ensuring you receive proper compensation for your damages.
Moreover, a dog bite attorney can delve into whether the dog has a history of aggression towards others. In many jurisdictions, there’s a “one bite” rule unless the dog is of a recognized dangerous breed, meaning the dog is allowed one incident before it’s legally classified as dangerous.
Deadlines for Filing a Dog Bite Injury Claim in Atlanta
Dealing with the aftermath of a dog bite can be daunting, especially when facing potential legal hurdles. Some dog owners may balk at involving their homeowner’s insurance, preferring to deflect blame onto you to avoid financial responsibility. A proficient dog bite attorney can champion your cause, guiding you through the legal process, gathering compelling evidence, and ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Furthermore, a skilled attorney can investigate whether the dog has a history of aggression, a crucial factor in many jurisdictions. Typically, there’s a “one bite” rule unless the dog belongs to a recognized dangerous breed, which means the dog is granted one incident before being legally deemed dangerous.
Liable Parties in a Dog Bite Lawsuit
Identifying the owner of a stray or loose dog, particularly after a public place or apartment complex incident, can pose considerable challenges, especially if you’ve been bitten. Often, owners shirk responsibility for the damages caused by their dogs in bite cases. Nonetheless, legally, the onus falls on the owner to compensate for the injuries inflicted by their animal.
With adept legal representation, the primary objective is safeguarding your rights and securing appropriate compensation. Your attorney will also prioritize preventing further harm by the same dog. The fate of the dog post-bite hinges on several factors, including past incidents of aggression and whether the breed is classified as dangerous.
Georgia Modified Comparative Negligence in Dog Bite Lawsuits
Instances where you might have trespassed into your neighbor’s property despite clear warnings or extended your hand through a fence to interact with their dog could provide the owner with legal grounds to defend against your dog bite claim. If you knowingly put yourself in a risky situation, you might bear some responsibility. Your attorney can assist in preparing rebuttals to such arguments.
Even if the person bitten by the dog carries a portion of responsibility for the incident, alongside the owner, they could still be entitled to compensation. Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law permits recovery of damages even when both parties share fault, provided the victim’s responsibility doesn’t exceed 50%. However, the compensation amount will be proportionally reduced based on the victim’s percentage of fault. For instance, if they’re deemed 30% at fault, they can only recover 70% of their damages.
If the victim bears no fault in the incident, their legal representative will gather evidence to establish the dog owner’s negligence, aiming for optimal compensation.
Compensation You Could Collect From a Dog Bite Claim
A dog bite lawsuit aims to compensate for various damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Expenses incurred
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Children often suffer both physically and psychologically from such incidents. Seek assistance from an Atlanta dog bite attorney to assess your damages and negotiate settlements.
Proving the Dog Had Aggressive Tendencies
To bolster your pound law case, your attorney specializing in dog bite injuries will assist you in demonstrating any aggressive or potentially dangerous tendencies exhibited by the dog. Establishing that a dog posed an unreasonable risk can involve evidence of:
- Previous bites
- Displays of threatening behavior
- Attacks on other animals or individuals, including the dog’s own family
Proving that an owner was aware, or reasonably should have been aware, of their dog’s dangerous propensities can often rely on public records, such as those maintained by local animal control authorities. Instances where an owner negligently managed their dog, such as allowing it off-leash or permitting escapes due to a faulty enclosure, are also considered as evidence of negligence.
What to Do If the Dog’s Owner Wants to Talk to You About Your Injuries
If the owner is present during the attack, aim for brevity and politeness in your conversation. Confirm if they’re the owner and collect their homeowner’s insurance details. Avoid confrontation and refrain from discussing your injuries with them.
Similar to other personal injury scenarios, the other party might prefer handling matters without involving authorities or insurers. However, such cases can escalate. Prioritize immediate medical attention and report the incident to both the police and Animal Control.
Even if it’s a friend or neighbor’s dog, the owner remains responsible for the bite. Despite potential social discomfort, it’s crucial to adhere to proper procedures. They may prefer resolving the matter privately, but that’s ill-advised. When unsure, consult a dog bite lawyer for guidance on the next steps.
What If You’re Not Sure Who Owns the Dog that Attacked You?
The primary issue in pound law cases revolves around establishing the dog owner’s identity. This task can pose significant challenges, particularly with stray or unattended dogs, especially if the incident occurs in public areas or apartment complexes. In Atlanta, your dog bite attorney will conduct thorough investigations to pinpoint the responsible dog owner.
Additionally, your legal representatives may reach out to neighbors for any potential insights into the dog’s ownership. Subsequently, they will liaise with Animal Control to ascertain if there are any prior reports concerning the dog in question.
What to Do If You Were Bitten While Working in Someone’s Home
If you’re bitten while working at someone’s home, you might be eligible for a personal injury claim under pound law. Dog owners are responsible for ensuring their pets are controlled and that a safe environment is maintained, particularly for visitors and workers.
Even well-meaning dogs can sometimes cause harm by being overly affectionate. A pound law attorney can assist you in filing a third-party claim against the dog’s owner, similar to seeking compensation for a workplace accident. Whether it’s a dog bite or a car accident while on the job, personal injury lawyers are equipped to handle both types of claims.
What to Do If Your Child Was Attacked by a Dog
In the event that your child suffers a dog bite injury, you’re entitled to seek justice on their behalf. Your legal representative specializing in dog bite cases will undertake the task of collecting evidence against the dog owner to bolster your claim.
Dog bite lawyers in Atlanta can assist you in readying for a comparative negligence defense. This defense might be crucial if the owner of the pet asserts that your child provoked the attack. It’s imperative that you’re equipped to counter this defense and substantiate your child’s entitlement to compensation.
Dog Bite Lawyers in Atlanta Can Help You Get Justice
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, seeking legal assistance is crucial for obtaining compensation. At Pound Law, we offer complimentary consultations with our Atlanta dog bite attorneys. During this session, we’ll review your situation and outline how we can assist you.
With over two decades of experience advocating for victims, Pound Law possesses the expertise, capabilities, and support to pursue the financial restitution you’re entitled to. We operate on a contingency basis, meaning there are no upfront fees unless your case is successful. Connect with us now to commence the process.