Not every dog is an adorable pet. Some need a firm, steady owner to keep them from becoming dangerous. When a dog owner fails to properly secure their dangerous dogs and prevent them from injuring others, they can be held liable.
Did you sustain dog bite injuries? If so, you could file an insurance claim for compensation. Contact Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. to speak with one of our experienced Cumming dog bite lawyers.
Dog bites can cause severe injuries and even death. You shouldn’t have to pay for your medical expenses caused by an irresponsible pet owner. You have the right to hold them accountable for their negligent actions.
Dogs have sharp teeth that can tear through skin, cartilage, and bone. They can damage nerves and cause permanent disabilities. It’s a painful and overwhelming experience.
If someone’s dog bit you and it resulted in physical harm, call 770-205-8827 to speak with one of our Cumming dog bite attorneys. We can schedule your free consultation today.
Take Immediate Action After a Dog Bite Injury
If you suffered dog bite injuries, don’t wait to hire a lawyer or seek medical treatment. Follow the steps below to protect your right hold the dog owner liable and recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Step 1: Secure the dog. If a stray dog bit you, confine it to a place where it can’t run away. Call animal control and wait for them to arrive. If the dog belongs to someone, notify them of the incident and write down their name and phone number.
- Step 2: Get the dog’s details. Ask the owner about the breed, recent vaccinations, and any violent history. Take a photo of it if you can.
- Step 3: Report the incident. If you were in a public place when you suffered dog bite injuries, report it to the manager. They will fill out an incident report and supply you with a copy. Ask for their liability insurance information so that your attorney can file a liability claim.
- Step 4: Seek treatment. Go to the doctor for an examination of your injuries immediately after leaving the scene. Follow up with any providers they refer you to and continue treatment until your doctors release you from their care.
- Step 5: Notify animal control. Dangerous breeds and dogs that have a history of unprovoked attacks shouldn’t remain in the owner’s custody.
- Step 6: Contact a Cumming dog bite lawyer. We can help you build a strong case to seek the maximum compensation you deserve.
- Step 7: Get the compensation you’re owed. Your attorney can help you pursue compensation from an insurance claim. We’ll find out what coverage is available and file for damages with either the business’s liability insurer or the homeowner’s insurer. We’ll also keep you informed every step of the way.
Dog Bite Laws in Georgia
According to Georgia statute 51-2-7, you can hold a dog owner liable for injuries if your lawyer can prove the following:
- The dog is dangerous or vicious;
- You didn’t provoke it in any way; and
- The owner’s careless actions led to the injury.
When it comes to dog bites and other animal attacks, Georgia follows negligence laws. That means liability claims must include proof that the dog owner knew that their animal was dangerous or failed to restrain it and prevent others from harm.
Leash ordinances require people to secure their pets on a leash while they’re out in public. If the owner wasn’t using a leash when the dog bit you, it could be evidence of negligence.
If your lawyer advises you to file a lawsuit against the dog owner for compensation of your injuries, we’ll need to follow the state’s strict deadline. Otherwise known as a statute of limitations, it’s the timeframe during which you can sue someone for their negligent actions.
The statute of limitations in Georgia is two years. That means you have two years from the dog attack to pursue legal action in the civil court system.
After two years pass, you may lose your right to compensation from the party responsible for this specific incident. Talk to a lawyer to find out if you qualify for an exception and when your deadline is.
Dog Bite Injuries Usually Require Medical Intervention
When a dog attacks, its bite causes damage first. You may suffer additional injuries if it knocks you to the ground. If you choose to file an insurance claim, you could recover compensation for your injuries and any personal property that got damaged during the incident, like a watch or your phone.
The most common injuries dog bite victims sustain include:
- Impact injuries from falling, such as a traumatic brain injury
- Wounds and lacerations
- Torn flesh, soft tissue, or muscle
- Broken bones
- Rabies or tetanus
- Infections
- Eye injuries, including loss of vision
- Loss of extremities or limbs
- Physical disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Psychological trauma, such as PTSD
Any of the injuries listed above could result in expensive medical treatment. Sometimes permanent disabilities such as paralysis or vision loss develop. The impact of a dog bite can lead to severe emotional distress and fear of animals. An attack is a traumatic experience for anyone.
If a dog attacks you, the most important thing you can do is seek immediate medical care. The sooner a doctor evaluates your injuries, the better chance you’ll have of recovering fully. Even if your injury is minor, you should still undergo an examination. Even small wounds can become infected and lead to serious medical problems.
How Much Money Could I Get from an Insurance Settlement?
Various factors determine the settlement offers that insurance companies make. Typically, the more severe the injury, the higher the financial compensation.
The insurance adjuster will review the factors below to determine how much they’re will to pay:
- Type of injury and its severity
- Duration of recovery
- Lost wages due to the inability to work
- Type of medical treatment necessary to care for the injury
- Total expenses incurred from the attack
- Medications prescribed for pain or symptoms
- Impact the incident had on daily life
- Value of any damaged personal property
- Emotional suffering endured
- Disability, impairment, or disfigurement resulting from the bite
- Liability insurance coverage available
- Statements from witnesses
- Breed of the dog and previous incidents that caused injuries
- Surgical procedures required to repair the physical damage
Your Cumming dog bite lawyer will negotiate for a full and fair settlement with the insurance company. The settlement amount should satisfy your total damages. If they don’t, we’re fully prepared to take the case to court.
Damages include economic and non-economic losses.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Past and future medical bills
- Loss of earning capacity
Examples of non-economic damages, such as physical pain, include:
- Disability or disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
There’s a third type of damages if you decide to file a lawsuit against the dog owner. Punitive damages don’t compensate for an injured victim’s economic and non-economic losses. Instead, they punish the at-fault party for their careless actions. They also aim to prevent them from similar acts in the future.
Punitive damages are typically awarded if the responsible party exhibited gross negligence. The legal definition of gross negligence is reckless conduct that shows a lack of regard for another person’s safety, rights, or life.
If we can prove that the dog owner was grossly negligent in preventing their dog from harming you, you could recover punitive damages.
Common Defenses to Dog Bite Injuries
Unfortunately, if a dog bites you, it will take more than just your word to recover compensation. If you behaved in a way that caused it to attack you, you might not be able to pursue a legal case.
There are special scenarios that could prohibit you from filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the dog owner, such as:
- You were trespassing on the dog owner’s property and committing or trying to commit a crime at the time of the attack; or
- The dog that bit you was a police dog, hunting dog, or herding dog performing its job duties; or
- You abused, assaulted, or tormented the dog before it attacked you.
Your dog bite injuries must happen through no fault of your own to be entitled to a financial settlement or judgment from the at-fault party. If you played a part in instigating the attack, your case might be dismissed. Talk to an attorney to find out whether your attack meets the evidentiary standards required in Georgia for dog bite injuries.
Choose Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C.
At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., our dog bite lawyers in Cumming have the experience, knowledge, and resources to seek just compensation for our clients effectively. We understand that your injury was traumatic. You shouldn’t go through the process of holding the at-fault party accountable alone. We’ll remain by your side during your case and support you through it.
Whether your dog bite injuries are minor or severe, you deserve compensation for the damages you incurred. When you hire us, we’ll open a thorough investigation into the incident and collect sufficient evidence to prove negligence. We’ll fight hard to hold the dog owner responsible for their carelessness.
If you were the victim of a dog attack and suffered injuries, call us at 770-205-8827 to schedule your free initial case evaluation.