According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Georgia ranks tenth in the U.S. in dog-bite cases. In 2019 alone, there were nearly 500 dog-bite claims made with insurance companies.
If you suffered injuries from a dog bite, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your pain and suffering. Georgia has laws to protect dog-bite victims, allowing you to take legal action against the negligent parties responsible for your injuries.
At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, our attorneys believe you should not be held responsible for your physical, mental, and financial suffering if a negligent pet owner puts you in harm’s way. When you retain a Johns Creek dog bites lawyer from our firm, we can take the lead on your case while you focus on your recovery.
Above all else, we want you to know that you do not have to go through this alone. Our attorneys can help fight for your right to compensation every step of the way.
To learn more about our legal services at Bader Law Injury Lawyers, contact a representative from our firm today at (404) 888-8888 to receive your free consultation.
Recoverable Damages for Dog Bite Victims in Johns Creek
If another party is found liable for your dog-bite case, you may be able to recover three types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive. These damages are designed to encompass virtually any form of suffering you may have endured in your accident.
Examples of recoverable damages can include:
- Lost wages from missing work and a loss of future income due to your newfound handicaps
- Damaged or ruined property
- Loss of consortium or loss of companionship with loved ones
- Medical expenses, including treatments you underwent immediately following the accident, and treatments you will need in the future
- Accommodations for long-term disabilities, including physical and mental disabilities
- Mental anguish, including a loss of hope for the future, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more
- Scarring or disfigurements
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Johns Creek, call (404) 888-8888
Georgia Law on Dog-Bite Liability
In accordance with O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, owners or keepers of dangerous animals can be held liable for injuries inflicted by their animals if they did not do enough to prevent the accident from happening. As such, owners can be held liable for damages if they let the dog roam, or if they did not manage it properly, thereby leading to the incident.
However, to be eligible for compensation, the victim will need to prove that the animal had dangerous tendencies. If the owner ignored these warning signs, putting you in harm’s way in the process, they may be deemed liable for your pain and suffering.
To prove the animal’s dangerous nature, it may be sufficient to show that the city, county, or local government had leash requirements in place—which were not followed by the negligent party.
Lastly, there are some exclusions to these rules. You may be unable to recover damages if you were injured while committing any of the following offenses:
- Trespassing
- Abusing the dog
- Attempting to commit an offense that falls into the “Crime Against the Person” chapter in the Georgia Code
Johns Creek Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Understanding Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law
As detailed under §§ 4-8-40 through 4-8-45, otherwise known as Georgia’s “Responsible Dog Ownership Law,” a dangerous dog is defined as:
- A dog that causes a substantial wound to a person’s skin with its teeth
- A dog that attacks aggressively, giving the victim reason to believe that the dog posed an imminent threat of serious injury to that person or another party
- A dog that kills a pet animal while outside the owner’s property
Additionally, this law states that dangerous dog owners are not allowed to let their dog off their property unless they meet one of the following requirements:
- They restrain the dog with a leash under six feet in length and they are capable of physically controlling its movements, thereby keeping the dog from endangering others
- The dog is kept in a secured cage or crate
- The dog is working as a hunting dog, herding dog, or predator-control dog, or if the dog is training to take on one of these roles.
Further, dangerous dogs are not allowed to be left unattended with minors. In short, Johns Creek dog owners are legally responsible for keeping their dogs restrained and incapable of causing harm to others.
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Services We Provide at Bader Law Injury Lawyers
Over the years, our attorneys at Bader Law Injury Lawyers have practiced in numerous fields of personal injury law. To better serve your unique needs, we offer a wide variety of legal services to dog bite victims, including:
- Investigating the root causes of your accident
- Gathering evidence to help prove liability
- Offer legal guidance surrounding Georgia’s dog bite laws
- Aiding during settlement negotiations
- Cataloging your damages and assigning a value to your case
- Calling upon expert witnesses to review your case and give their opinion
- Taking your case to court and offering civil litigation services
A Johns Creek dog bites lawyer will help you fight for justice. To learn more, contact a Bader Law Injury Lawyers team member today at (404) 888-8888 to receive your free consultation.
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Johns Creek Dog Bites Lawyers Fighting for Your Rights
When you retain a Johns Creek dog bites lawyer at Bader Law Injury Lawyers, our attorneys will examine your case before offering legal counsel. We want to make sure you understand your legal options and ask any questions you might that will affect your case.
You should be aware that Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, as detailed under O.C.G.A § 9-3-33. This time limit starts on the day your injuries first occurred. If you wait too long, your case may be dismissed.
To get started with your free consultation today, contact a Bader Law Injury Lawyers representative at (404) 888-8888.
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