Anyone dealing with an animal attack could face costly medical expenses and other bills. If a dog injured you, our Kennesaw dog bite attorneys could help.
The animal’s owner could face liability for the attack, which means you could hold them financially responsible for your damages. Our firm could help you pursue fair compensation for your dog bite case.
A Dog Owner Could be Liable for Your Bite Injuries
Every state has its own approach to determining whether or not an owner is liable for the injuries their dogs cause. Some states take a strict liability approach, meaning the owner is generally responsible any time their animal causes an injury. That is not the approach used in Georgia.
Dog bite liability is governed by O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, which says that the owner is only liable for damages caused by a vicious or dangerous animal they have kept. It is worth noting that while this is considered a dog bite statute, the statute applies to any kind of dangerous animal. What’s more, liability could extend beyond a bite.
For example, a personal injury case could come from:
- A dangerous animal knocking someone over and injuring them
- A dangerous animal scratching someone with their claws and causing injury
If You Were Injured By a Dog That Was Classified As “Vicious”
What determines if a dog is vicious or dangerous? This is a subjective standard, although the statute does provide some guidance. Under the law, a dog is deemed vicious if it was allowed to roam in violation of a city, county, or consolidated government leash ordinance.
In addition to proving that the dog was vicious or dangerous, a plaintiff must also establish that the attack occurred from “careless management or by allowing the animal to go at liberty.” Often, proving that a dog was allowed to run off its leash in violation of a leash ordinance could satisfy this element as well as the vicious or dangerous animal requirement.
Situations Where a Dog Is Not Considered Dangerous
There are times when a dog is not considered vicious, even when the elements described in the statute are otherwise met. Defenses can protect a dog owner from liability in situations involving:
- Trespassing
- Provocation
- Criminality
A dog is not considered dangerous under the law when the person it bit was trespassing. In other words, a dog that protects the home or property of its owner is not treated like a vicious animal if it attacks a trespasser.
There is also an exception when the animal is provoked. Any person that provokes or abuses an animal is barred from pursuing a claim for compensation against the dog’s owner after an attack.
The final exception involves the bite victim’s intention to commit a crime. If the person that was attacked was attempting to commit a crime against a person, they could be barred from any financial recovery following their injury. Some examples of these crimes include homicide or assault. This exception exists to allow a dog to protect someone who could become a crime victim.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Kennesaw, call (404) 888-8888
You Could Recover Financial Compensation for Your Injuries
Monetary damages could be associated with a dog bite injury. You could recover these damages through a negotiated settlement or a trial verdict. In either case, the compensation available to you could ease the financial strain that can follow a dog bite injury.
Medical Expenses
There is no question that dog bites are dangerous. These injuries could require stitches and immediate medical care, but that only scratches the surface of the impact a bite could have on your health. You could also be stuck with the cost of dealing with infections or nerve damage in the future. Your injury lawsuit could allow you to recoup the cost of your medical treatment.
Pain and Suffering
Dog bites can result in long-lasting physical pain. In addition to the pain that occurs as the wound heals, you could also face permanent or chronic pain based on damage to your nerves. Compensation could be available based on the extent of that pain.
Lost Wages
It is also common for a person suffering from a dog bite to be physically unable to return to work immediately. Some injuries might heal in a matter of days or weeks, but others could leave a person without their source of income for much longer. A civil lawsuit could help to replace those lost wages.
Kennesaw Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
There Is a Deadline to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Georgia
You do not have an unlimited period to file your dog bite lawsuit following the attack. The longer you delay legal action, the more difficult it could become to secure the compensation you deserve.
The primary pitfall in delaying your lawsuit is known as the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is imposed by O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Generally speaking, you have two years from the date of your dog bite injury to file your lawsuit. Filing after the deadline expires could lead the court to dismiss your case with prejudice. Our Kennesaw lawyers taking dog bite cases could ensure you comply with this deadline, though.
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You Could Recover Compensation Following a Dog Attack
If you sustained injuries at the hands of a dangerous or vicious animal, you might be entitled to a monetary award from the owner of the dog. Your injury could be serious. Proving your case on your own could be challenging, but our firm is ready to help you establish that you are entitled to compensation.
The team at Bader Law Injury Lawyers has experience holding the owners of vicious dogs accountable when they bite. Our firm has the answers if you have questions about what to expect during the litigation process. For a free consultation with a Kennesaw attorney’s team, call (404) 888-8888 as soon as possible.
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