Dog Bite Attorney in Atlanta, GA

Trusted Legal Representation for Georgia Dog Bite Victims

Georgia dog bite laws can hold an animal’s owner liable to the victim, but only under certain circumstances, and the victim must prove the owner’s liability. If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury in a dog bite incident, you need an experienced Atlanta dog bite attorney to help with your legal needs.

At Durham Law Group, P.C., our dedicated dog bite attorneys in Atlanta understand the nuances of dog bite laws and how to build a strong case proving the dog owner’s liability. We will fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve after being attacked and bitten by a dog or other animal through no fault of your own.

Dedicated Advocacy From Durham Law Group

It can take months to recover from a serious dog bite, and the physical damage and psychological trauma can last for years or permanently. Let us help you recover significant compensation to cope with the harm done to you or a member of your family. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog or another animal in Atlanta, call Durham Law Group at 404-845-3434 to discuss your case with a skilled, dedicated Atlanta dog bite attorney.

How Do Dog Bite Injuries Affect Victims?

According to a 2020 MoneyWise report, Georgia ranks as the 11th worst state in the nation for dog bites, with 448 dog bite claims filed with insurers in one year, averaging $33,430 each and totaling $15 million. Any dog bite or animal attack, even if the physical injury is minor, can be terrifying and emotionally traumatizing.

Tragically, severe physical injuries can and do often occur from dog bites, including infections, facial lacerations, crushing bone fractures, nerve injuries, permanent scarring, and disfigurement. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of people are bitten every year, with hundreds of thousands requiring medical attention. The CDC ranks dog bites as a leading cause of nonfatal injury in the United States. Dozens of people also die every year from animal bites.

Dog attacks can also leave victims dealing with unexpected medical bills, lost income, emotional trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Durham Law Group is passionate about helping dog bite victims hold negligent dog owners accountable.

Facts About Georgia Dog Bite Law

Georgia’s dog bite law applies not just to dogs but to a “vicious or dangerous animal of any kind.” The state defines a vicious dog as one that has previously inflicted serious injury on a person. In that context, a serious injury may include broken bones, lacerations that require stitches, or injuries that require admission to a hospital or plastic surgery.

Animal owners are also liable for bites or other harm, such as knock-downs, caused by their animal through the owner’s “careless management” or by allowing the animal to go at liberty. In Georgia, it is enough to show the animal was off-leash or not at heel when the law required it, in order to hold the owner accountable.

This liability is not absolute. The victim must prove the owner was negligent, and owners can escape liability by showing the victim provoked the attack. These two factors can combine to create a significant challenge for the victim.

Atlanta’s Leash Law

Atlanta has specific ordinances that dictate how dogs must be controlled in public. Under Atlanta’s leash laws, a dog cannot leave the premises of the owner unless it is secured by a leash no longer than six feet. Dogs must be leashed in all public spaces, except within officially designated off-leash dog parks.

What Steps Should You Take After a Dog Bite Injury?

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog attack, there are specific steps you should take right away to protect your well-being and your right to file a Georgia dog bite claim:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you only suffer minor wounds. Dog bite injuries can lead to severe infections and require immediate medical care. Seeking care also creates a medical record that links your injuries directly to the attack.
• Identify the dog owner and the animal, including the owner’s name, address, and contact information. Also note the dog’s breed, color, size, and where the attack occurred.
• Document the scene and gather evidence. Take pictures and videos of your injuries and torn clothing. Obtain the names and contact information of any bystanders who witnessed the attack. Witness testimony is often crucial to prove that the dog was running loose or that you did not intentionally provoke the animal.
• Report the incident to animal control. Under Georgia law, dog bites and other animal attacks must be reported to local animal control or the county health department. Once reported, the dog is placed in a mandatory 10-day quarantine to observe it for signs of rabies. Reporting also creates an official record you can use as evidence if you decide to pursue a claim.

Why Should I Hire an Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyer?

Animal bite cases can be challenging to prove. Some of the most complex issues depend on the animal involved, the owner’s behavior, the victim’s age, and other factors. When the victim knows the owner as a friend or family member, they may feel uncomfortable bringing a claim or filing a lawsuit.

Hiring a lawyer can provide the legal support you need to build a strong case. A qualified attorney can investigate how the bite happened and whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. In other cases, a dog bite attorney may be able to prove the owner violated Atlanta’s local leash laws when the injuries occurred.

Other legal services provided by a dog bite lawyer include:

• Calculating your damages: Common losses include medical expenses, lost income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.
• Protecting you from insurance tactics: Adjusters often contact dog bite victims shortly after an incident and try to offer a low settlement. When you hire an attorney, they handle all communication with the insurance company, preventing you from inadvertently damaging your claim.
• Preparing for litigation: While most dog bite cases settle out of court, having a dog bite lawyer on your side is essential. If the insurer will not offer a fair settlement, your lawyer will build a case that forces them to take your claim seriously.

Who Pays for Dog Bite Injuries?

One of the most common questions dog bite victims ask is who will pay for their injuries. Victims often fear that filing a claim may create an uncomfortable situation if a friend or loved one’s dog injured them. But in most cases, the owner’s homeowner’s, renter’s, or other insurance will cover the damages — that is what insurance is for. A claim involving a family member or friend does not have to damage your relationship. The owner probably feels bad about what happened and knows you deserve to be compensated.

In Georgia, the dog owner’s insurance company generally provides liability coverage that can be used to pay for:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Future medical care, including physical therapy and plastic surgery if necessary
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and emotional trauma

In most dog bite cases, insurance coverage will apply even if the bite did not occur on the owner’s property.

Umbrella Insurance Policies

In some cases, the victim’s damages exceed the underlying policy limits and can leave them and their family facing financial hardship. If the homeowner carries a personal umbrella policy with additional liability limits, the victim may be able to recover more compensation if the attack was particularly severe.

How Our Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help

At Durham Law Group, our Atlanta dog bite attorneys have a proven record of helping people injured by others’ negligence, including a six-figure recovery in a dog bite case.

We thoroughly investigate the incident, the medical evidence, and the dog’s history to build a strong case proving the other party’s liability for the full extent of damages caused. At the same time, we defend our clients from claims that they provoked the attack or engaged in other behavior that might diminish the dog owner’s responsibility to fully compensate the victim.

Get Help From the Atlanta Dog Bite Law Firm

The Durham Law Group dog bite attorneys in Atlanta have extensive experience helping dog bite victims. Our attorneys understand the trauma that can result from these injuries, and no matter the circumstances involved, our team is ready to help you secure fair compensation. You should not have to pay medical bills and other damages for an injury that was not your fault.

If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog or other animal in Atlanta, call Durham Law Group at 404-845-3434 for a free consultation with an experienced and compassionate Atlanta dog bite lawyer.