Dogs are our most beloved pets. However, an unprovoked attack can affect your physical and emotional well-being long after the event has passed. In addition, to recover monetary damages, you will need to prove the dog owner was at-fault for the attack, which can be challenging in some cases.
If a domestic or feral dog bit you or a loved one, the injury attorneys in our Athens office can help establish fault and pursue compensation for your injuries.
How We Prove Liability in Dog Bite Cases
To build a strong case, we will need to support your claim with evidence (such as witness statements, animal control records, or possible documentation of an owner’s previous violation of Athens animal regulations) to prove the following elements:
- The dog was vicious or aggressive
- The dog’s owner failed to protect others from their pet’s behavior
- You did not provoke the animal to bite or attack
The city’s regulations specify the following dog-related mandates:
- Dogs are not allowed to run at large and must be on a leash longer than six feet.
- Leashed dogs must be under the control of a person of sufficient age to adequately control the dog and keep the dog under control at all times.
- Dogs with a history of aggression towards humans or other animals must be kept confined by the owner and must be muzzled and leashed when taken out.
- Keeping a dog within the town considered a public nuisance animal as defined within the regulations is not permitted.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Athens, call (404) 888-8888
What to Do If a Feral or Domestic Dog Bites You
It is essential to seek medical treatment if a dog bites you to have your injuries treated and documented. If the bite pierced the skin, there could be a risk of viral or bacterial infection, so you may need antibiotics if your doctor recommends them. For particularly severe bites, visit your local ER department for treatment and follow the recommended course of treatment.
Gather Evidence
If possible, take photographs or videos of your injuries and any other relevant images at the accident scene to protect you from potential disputes from an insurance company later on. The more evidence you have to support your claim, the better. Collect contact information from the dog owner and the name of their veterinarian, along with contact details from anyone else who witnessed the event.
File an Incident Report
It is also important to file a dog bite or animal control report. This way, you can check for any previous bite incidents and see the dogs’ vaccination records to establish whether diseases like rabies could be an issue. In addition, filing a report with the local animal control department can be used as evidence in support of your claim.
Learn About Your Legal Options
Lastly, it can be beneficial to contact a dog bite attorney to help you build a compensation claim. Many variables can affect the outcome of your case relating to issues such as liability and accurately assessing the financial impact of your injuries and other related losses. With our team at your side, you have peace of mind; we will do everything possible to help you get the care you need and the legal outcome you deserve.
Athens Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
How Making a Compensation Claim Can Help You
Claiming compensation can help in many ways. After reviewing the facts of your case, your injuries’ severity, financial losses, and overall situation, we will build a case to help cover costs related to:
- Paying for medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering for the psychological impact of the attack and any effects your injury has had on your social life, family, or hobbies.
- Covering lost wages from time off work or loss of future earning capacity
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Previously, we’ve helped injured claimants recover compensation after suffering:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Nerve damage
- Permanent scarring
- Infection
- Cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Crushing or tearing injuries to underlying bone, muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nightmares
- Disrupted sleep patterns
To learn about your legal options at no cost or obligation, we can discuss your case’s possible outcome and what you can recover during a free initial consultation.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
What to Expect When from Our Legal Services
When you partner with our team, we always strive to make the legal process straightforward. By having us manage all aspects of your case, you can expect us to help you by:
- Checking if the dog has a prior history of aggression
- Investigating the circumstances of the attack
- Accessing any animal control reports
- Contacting witnesses and taking statements
- Gathering medical information and other evidence
- Building a detailed case to prove the dog owner’s negligence
- Assessing the full financial impact of your injuries
- Negotiating an appropriate settlement with the other party’s insurers
- Representing you in civil court, if necessary
- Answering your questions promptly and providing regular case updates
We appreciate that funding a legal case can also be a worry, so we provide our legal services on a contingency fee basis. There are no hidden expenses or fees for you to pay upfront, and we only recover our costs upon obtaining a favorable verdict or settlement on your behalf.
Click to contact our Athens Personal Injury Lawyers today
How Long do I Have to File a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit?
We encourage you to consider your legal options as soon as possible. Per OCGA § 9-3-33, injured people generally have two years from the accident date to file a dog bite accident claim. Regrettably, if the deadline expires, it is unlikely the courts will hear your case.
Make a Dog Bite No Win No Fee Claim Today
At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, we are committed to providing value and quality of service to our clients. With our legal team at your side, you can have confidence in our ability to serve your best interests and fight for the compensation you deserve.
To learn more about your legal options after suffering injury from a dog bite, call and schedule a free consultation with our team. Let us put our knowledge, resources, and experience to work for you today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
