For most people, dogs are associated with fun, joy, and companionship. These furry friends are beloved by society, and a gentle greeting from a well-behaved dog is a welcomed interaction for many.
Unfortunately, not all dogs are well-behaved and kind — for a plethora of reasons, some dogs exhibit aggressive and dangerous behavior that sometimes results in a dog bite. Even a seemingly gentle dog can show unexpected, instinctual aggression, given the right behavior.
What was in one moment an interaction of affection can turn into a traumatic, painful experience that, in worst cases, can be life-altering, sometimes even fatal.
Dog bite attacks not only cause physical harm and injuries, but they can also be emotionally scarring for the people — or other pets — involved in the attack. When an out-of-control and aggressive dog bites a human, the dog owner of the attacking dog should be held responsible.
Consulting a dog bite lawyer can help you navigate this stressful and sometimes confrontational process. If you’ve been bitten by a dog and suffered physical or emotional damages, contact the CEO Lawyer team to discuss your options for pursuing a claim.
To chat with one of our Sandy Springs personal injury lawyers during a free, confidential case review, call us at (470) 323-8779 or contact us online today.
Work With a Sandy Springs Dog Bite Attorney
If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a dog attack, working with an experienced dog bite attorney can make a big difference in the success of your claim. An experienced attorney will offer comprehensive legal guidance and advocacy to ensure your interest is upheld.
Our knowledgeable team at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can enlighten you about your rights and the intricacies of the legal process, conduct a thorough investigation into the dog bite incident, gather important evidence, and work to establish liability. We can also negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company to seek a fair settlement that takes into account your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Overall, the claims and legal process following a dog bite incident can be made much smoother with an experienced attorney by your side. To learn how the CEO Lawyer can assist you in the aftermath of a dog bite, reach out to schedule a free consultation and learn about your options to seek compensation.
What to Do After a Dog Bite Attack
Dog attacks often come out of left field, and the moments after suffering a dog bite can feel chaotic, scary, and even traumatizing.
In the wake of a dog bite incident, it’s important you act quickly and take the following steps to protect your health and well-being while also addressing legal and medical implications:
- Prioritize your health and safety: In the aftermath of a dog attack, your safety and health should be a main priority. Ensure your safety by creating distance from the dog or removing yourself from the scene entirely. Seek emergency medical care if necessary. Regardless of the severity of the bite, you should get it examined by a medical professional, as dog bites can lead to infection and diseases like rabies.
- Identify the dog’s owner: If the dog’s owner is not with the dog at the time of the incident, it is critical to identify them for medical and legal purposes. The owner should be able to provide vaccination records for the dog, which is important to help rule out rabies or other diseases. If their vaccination history is unclear, you may need to go through time-sensitive preventative measures against rabies. The owner’s identity is also needed to pursue legal action.
- Document the incident: As soon as possible, document the incident to preserve the information and evidence you’ll need to file a claim or pursue legal action. This includes taking photographs of the scene, the location of the attack, your injuries, and (if safe to do so) the dog. Also, take note of any important factors that may have contributed to the attack, such as if the dog was off the leash or escaped from a broken fence.
- Notify your insurance company: If you have health insurance, notify your insurance company about the dog bite, as they may provide coverage for medical expenses and legal representation related to dog attacks.
- Consult with a dog bite lawyer: Once you have sought medical attention and documented the incident, consult with an experienced dog bite lawyer. They can assess the circumstances of the incident, inform you of your legal rights, and help determine an appropriate course of action, which may include filing a claim or pursuing legal action against the dog owner.
Dog Bite Injury Damages and Compensation
Like other forms of injury, victims of a dog bite injury can pursue financial compensation for various physical and emotional damages associated with the attack. These damages can include:
- Medical costs: you can seek compensation to cover the financial burden of medical treatment, including the cost of surgeries, doctor’s visits, medication, and even long-term recovery care like physical therapy.
- Loss of wages: if the injuries you sustain from the dog bite require you to take a leave from work, compensation for loss of wages can cover associated financial losses. These may also cover compensation for lost potential future earnings.
- Emotional distress: physiological and emotional suffering can also be compensated for, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD initiated by the incident.
Dog Bite Injury FAQ
As experienced attorneys knowledgeable about the legal implications of dog bites and attacks, our team can help provide insight into the myriad of questions you have as a dog bit victim, including:
What Legal Options Can I Pursue if My Child Is Bitten by a Dog?
Believe it or not, children account for more than half of all dog bite victims. If your child suffered serious injuries from a dog bite, the dog’s owner may be liable, meaning you may be justified to take legal action.
In some situations, the landlord or owner of the property where the incident took place may also hold legal responsibility if the attack is a result of their negligence.
Does Georgia Have Laws Protecting Dog Bite Victims?
According to Georgia’s Responsible Dog Owner Act, a victim can seek legal action and compensation from a dog’s owner if the bite results in a serious physical injury — which are defined as injuries that result in hospital admission, stitches, and/or plastic surgery — or lead to death, leaves the victim with broken or dislocated bones, or causes an infection such as rabies.
What Compensation Can I Seek After a Dog Bite?
Dog attacks tend to be expensive, with some dog bite claims having a payout of over $47,000. This high price tag is usually due to the severity of injuries and damages dog bites can cause.
A dog’s strength is often underestimated; just one bite can cause severe damage to flesh and bones, resulting in some high medical costs. The risk of infection after a dog bite can also be high.
Some victims may suffer permanent effects, such as a disability affecting their limbs or ability to make full use of their hands. They may be eligible for replacement of long-term reductions in earnings as well as compensation for any future care needed and personal suffering likely to be endured through the remainder of their lifetime.
Will Insurance Companies Cover the Costs of a Dog Bite?
Although many insurance companies will accept claims for dog bites, they can sometimes under-assess the value of the damages. They have an incentive to minimize payouts and maximize profits.
In many injury cases, insurance companies may attempt to limit the amount of compensation they offer. It is advisable to consult a personal injury attorney who is experienced with dog attacks, as they will know how to advocate for your rights and interests.
What Is the “One Bite Rule”?
As with most injury laws, laws around dog owner liability vary from state to state.
When it comes to dog bites, these laws tend to fall into one of two categories: traditional negligence (commonly known as the “one bite rule”) or strict liability.
The one-bite rule states that a dog owner can usually only be held liable if they were aware that their dog had previously shown aggressive behavior or bit a person or pet in the past. In other words, the dog gets one “free strike” before the owner can be found guilty of negligence.
The state of Georgia essentially follows the one-bite rule logic, albeit with multiple protections for dog bite injury victims. If the attack was unreasonably dangerous, if the owner was not in control of the dog, or if other circumstances made the attack essentially foreseeable, then the owner is still responsible for any injuries, even if there are no objective findings of previous aggression prior to the attack.
Get Help From a Sandy Springs Dog Bite Law Firm
In the realm of life’s unexpected curveballs, dog bite attacks and injuries are uniquely distressing experiences that can leave a victim with a slew of financial burdens, emotional traumas, and physical complications.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we understand the profound, multi-faceted impacts a dog bite injury can have on your life, financial situation, and peace of mind. We strive to serve as a beacon of support and guidance for victims who need help navigating the aftermath of such a confusing incident.
We can help guide you through the legal and insurance-related aftermath of a dog bite incident — taking on negotiations with insurance companies and negligent dog owners, ensuring your rights and interests are upheld throughout the process. To discuss your options for pursuing compensation for your suffering during a free case review, call us at (470) 323-8779 or contact us online.
