They might be considered man’s best friend, but dogs are still animals, and this means they are capable of biting. If you, your loved one, or anyone else that you care about has recently been bitten by a dog and sustained injuries, contact one of the experienced Gwinnett County dog bite lawyers at The Herro Law Firm for a free legal consultation.
Our Gwinnett personal injury lawyers will fight for the full compensation you’re entitled to under the law.
What Should I Do if I Was Bitten By a Dog?
If you have recently been bitten by a dog and you have injuries, you might not know what you need to do next. Here are the recommended steps you should be taking to deal with your injuries as safely and quickly as possible.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Get the contact information and name of the person that owns the dog.
- Report your injuries to your closest police station and ask for a report.
- If possible take photographs of the location where your injury occurred, of the animal, and your injuries.
- Avoid admitting fault or accepting a settlement from the insurance company of the owner.
- If your clothing was damaged keep it as evidence.
- Contact a professional lawyer at The Herro Law Firm in Gwinnett, GA.
Who Do I Report a Dog Bite to in Georgia?
If you would like to be compensated for your injuries caused by a dog bite in Georgia, you will need to report the injury. This will involve filing a claim against the dog’s owner. While the thought of having to file a claim may feel like a complex task, it is effortless when you have the right legal representation.
The dog bite attorneys at The Herro Law Firm, are here to assist you with filing the claim and helping negotiate a settlement. The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) states that around 5 million people are victims of dog bites every year. If a dog has attacked and bitten you, file your report as soon as you can.
While it is not considered mandatory to report dog bites to animal control or the police in the state of Georgia, it is still recommended that you do. When you have a report filed with the police it can help you to prove the case a lot better when it comes time to file a claim. In addition, animal control or police reports will act as official documents that prove that a dog attack or bite incident has taken place.
It is also not mandatory to report an injury caused by a dog bite to an insurance company until you decide to file a claim. It is highly likely that they will try to contact you first. But it is important to be very careful before your sign or accept anything from them.
Most of these companies are known for trying to get victims to accept low settlement offers which will absolve the company of any further responsibility when the settlement should have been much higher. You should never accept a settlement offer without talking to a lawyer first.
Why Should I Hire a Gwinnett Dog Bite Lawyer?
It is in your best interests to contact an experienced attorney straight after your incident. Here at The Herro Law Firm, we have a team of skilled lawyers that specialize in dog bite cases that can assist you in going after the highest compensation for your injuries. Keep in mind, that a dog bite could leave a nasty permanent injury and result in a range of damages and emotional distress that could wreak havoc when it comes to your finances and your emotional well-being.
Every dog owner has a responsibility when comes to controlling their pet and keeping people safe. If they have failed in this area, it is regarded as “negligence” under Georgia law. Don’t delay when it comes to scheduling an appointment with our law firm. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to pursue and fight for the compensation that you deserve.
Who Is Responsible for Dog Bite Injuries?
In Georgia, the owners of dogs can and will be held liable for an attack that has occurred due to careless management. This is a law that is applicable to dogs and any other type of dangerous or vicious animal.
To hold a dog owner liable, your lawyer must prove that the dog owner displayed negligence and that the pet was vicious. This can often be achieved by proving that the animal was not leashed or at heel in situations where it was required by either a county ordinance or a local city.
The owner of a dog could escape liability if they can prove that the victim might have provoked an attack. Provocation often differs according to each case and also depends on the victim’s age and the circumstances that surrounded the attack.
Juries can also find that both the dog owner and the victim are to blame. But provided the victim has not been considered 50% (or more) at fault, they will still be able to recover compensation. This is why it is essential to have the right type of legal representation to make sure you are not blamed unfairly for provoking the attack or bite.
What Type of Compensation Can I Expect in a Dog Bite Case?
Similar to any of the other personal injuries in Georgia, the individual that is responsible for an accident or incident will be held liable for damages. If you are a victim of a dog bite or attack you can go after financial recovery to cover the costs of your injuries.
Some of the costs that victims recover for dog bite injuries include:
- Doctors visits and medical bills
- Ongoing costs such as physical therapy or surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages if you had to take time off work
- Physical suffering and pain
- Permanent disabilities
- Emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression
The costs relating to these expenses can become significant. Fortunately, the law in Georgia is here to assist you. With the assistance of the right dog bite attorney, it is possible to make a claim against the owner of the dog for your injuries and damages.
What Does Georgia Law Say About Dog Bites?
Georgia’s dog bite law holds owners strictly liable for dog bites if local leash laws are violated, even if the dog had not previously bitten anyone.
If there was no leash law violation, the victim must first prove the owner should have known that the dog or animal was “dangerous” or “vicious.” This can usually be proven by showing the dog had bitten someone in the past without being provoked.
Secondly, it must be proven that there was careless management on part of the dog’s owner. Lastly, the injured person should not have prompted or provoked the dog or animal into biting or attacking him/her.
Statistics for Dog Bite Injuries
According to compiled statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 4.5 million people in the U.S. get bitten or attacked by dogs each year. Around 800,000 of these victims require medical attention to deal with their wounds. Each day around 1,000 people land up in ERs (emergency rooms) after dog bites, and more than 12,000 people are hospitalized to receive treatment.
Dozens of individuals, from toddlers and infants to adults end up dying each year from an animal attack or dog bite in the U.S. In the year 2020, State Farm paid $5.2 million in claims for dog bites across Georgia.
Are There Time Limits for Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
Under Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury, people have 2 years from the injury date to file their lawsuits. If this 2-year period has passed you won’t be able to file a claim and you would lose your chance to recover any compensation for the injuries you sustained. Therefore, it is vital to consult with a Gwinnett County, GA premises liability lawyer as soon as you can after your attack has taken place.
For Your Gwinnett County Dog Bite Lawyer, Contact Herro Law Today!
At The Herro Law Firm, our dog bite lawyers in Gwinnett, GA are here to assist you when it comes to recovering the damages you might have incurred due to the attack, and to assist you with accurately working out what care you will need in the future on your road to recovery. This means we will work hard to make sure you are compensated adequately for any future expenses.
If you have sustained injuries due to an animal attack or dog bite, our expert team of lawyers at The Herro Law Firm is here to guide you every step of the way. Our lawyers will work on making sure that the owner is found negligent. If the owner of the animal, or their insurance company is refusing to pay, we are here to make sure your case is taken to trial.
Contact our Gwinnett County dog bite lawyers today at (404) 433-6876 for a free initial consultation.
