When Man’s Best Friend turns dangerous and attacks, what do you do in the painful aftermath? If you, your child, or your pet has been bitten or mauled by a dangerous dog, you may have more rights than you think.
At Karell Trial Attorneys, we understand the physical and emotional toll a dog bite can take on a victim. Our team is committed to providing compassionate support throughout the legal process. We’ll be by your side, guiding you through the complexities of your case and advocating for your rights with empathy and care.
Contact us at (678) 999-3331 for a free consultation with one of our Atlanta personal injury lawyers.
Karell Trial Attorneys offers big-city service with small-town compassion
A dog bite incident can be traumatizing, leaving victims with physical injuries, emotional distress, and mounting medical expenses. If a dog has attacked you or a loved one, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention, but it’s also crucial to protect your legal rights.
At Karell Trial Attorneys, we understand the challenges surrounding dog bite cases. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys is here to help you navigate through the aftermath and seek the compensation you deserve.
Your rights as a dog attack victim in Atlanta
If you’ve been bitten by a dog, you have more rights than you know. Our Atlanta dog bite lawyers are here to help you assert them:
- You have the right to compensation for all your losses, including medical care, pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages, and the emotional trauma of a dog mauling
- You have the right to choose your own attorney to advocate for your rights and file a suit for damages against the negligent dog owner
- You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity throughout the legal process and not villainized for standing up for your rights
- You have the right to quality medical treatment for your physical and psychological needs, including the right to claim damages for future or ongoing medical needs
- You have the right to fair treatment by the insurance companies, including being dealt with in good faith
We’re here to help protect your rights in the courtroom and out.
Understanding dog bite liability in Georgia
In Georgia, dog owners can be held liable for injuries caused by their pets if it can be proven that the owner’s negligence or lack of proper control resulted in the attack.
Unlike some states, Georgia does not follow the “one-bite rule.” Here, dog owners can be held responsible for their pet’s actions even if it’s the very first time the dog has bitten someone.
Still, dog bite liability in Georgia can get a little murky. The legal process of dog bite cases easily gets complicated. Dog bite victims often face issues that other personal injury victims do not, especially victim-blaming.
Although the dog’s owner is legally liable for harm that their animal causes, Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 4-8-21 ) also includes language that protects the owner from liability if the victim provoked the attack or was trespassing. There are also considerations for cases where the dog bit the victim while trying to protect the owner or someone else, or if the victim was interfering with the duties of a police-military dog.
The defendant’s lawyer may try to use this to claim that you provoked the attack, even if you were just going about your daily life. Owners of “reactive” dogs may claim that the victim’s innocent actions led to the attack. An experienced dog bite injury lawyer does not just build a case against the defendant. They also build a case protecting you from unfair victim-blaming.
Establishing liability in dog bite cases also means researching the dog’s history, including incidents of aggressive behavior like lunging at people or attempting to attack people or pets. This helps to build our case that the dog’s owner should have reasonably known that their dog could bite someone.
Dog owners may also be liable for injury caused by the dog if they fail to exercise proper restraint of the dog. This includes being off a leash in places where a leash is required. In Fulton County, dogs are not permitted to leave the owner’s premises without being on a leash or otherwise restrained (such as in a dog carrier) and being under the control of a responsible person. If the owner violates animal control and restraint ordinances, then they can be held liable for harm that comes to others.
How we can assist you
When you choose Karell Trial Attorneys to handle your dog bite case, you can expect comprehensive support and diligent advocacy:
- Investigation: Our personal injury attorneys thoroughly investigate dog bite incidents, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to establish liability.
- Medical documentation: We work closely with medical professionals to ensure proper documentation of your injuries, aiding in seeking compensation for medical expenses.
- Negotiation: With extensive negotiation experience, we aim for a fair settlement covering injuries, pain, suffering, and damages.
- Litigation: If negotiations fail, we’re prepared for court, presenting compelling cases for maximum compensation.
Work with our top-rated dog bite attorneys
If you or a loved one have been a victim of a dog bite incident, don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel from our experienced personal injury attorneys. Contact Karell Trial Attorneys for a free consultation. Let us fight for your rights and fair compensation as you focus on your recovery and well-being.
We answer common questions about dog bites in Atlanta
There are a few Georgia dog bite laws that can impact your case. First, dog bite claims are personal injury claims with a statute of limitations of just two years. If you miss the deadline to file legal action, you essentially forfeit your right to sue.
The plaintiff must prove that the dog was vicious or dangerous and that the owner knew it or reasonably should have known it. In addition, the plaintiff must prove that they did not provoke the attack.
A dog can be considered vicious if its owner was negligent in controlling it, such as not keeping the dog on a leash or failing to secure it (behind a fence, etc.).
You have two years from the date of the attack to file a lawsuit for compensation in Georgia.
Dog bite injuries are notoriously nasty. In fact, the cost of hospital care for dog bites is about twice the cost for other injury-related hospitalizations. Common injuries from a dog bite include:
- Deep puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding and internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Lacerations and tearing
- Soft tissue injuries, including torn tendons and ligaments
- Infection, including rabies
Dog bite wounds are notoriously hard to suture, as the edges are ragged, and the damage may penetrate through layers of dermis and muscle, sometimes to the bone. Many people have permanent scarring and a limited range of motion.
Perhaps the most serious injury dog bite victims suffer is psychological and emotional. Dog attacks are terrifying, and many victims develop anxiety, phobias, PTSD, and depression afterward.
In fact, the mental scars may remain long after the physical ones fade. Your settlement can cover the cost of mental health treatment, too.
Victims of a dog bite may claim three types of compensation in a Georgia dog bite claim:
- Economic: Material losses, including current and future medical care (physical and mental), lost wages from time missed at work, property damage, and loss of earning potential
- Non-economic: Intangible losses, including pain and suffering from your injuries, emotional trauma, scarring and disfigurement, and diminished quality of life
- Punitive: Punishing damages assessed by a jury against egregiously negligent or reckless defendants
Usually, the dog owner’s renters’ or homeowners’ insurance policy pays for damage the animal causes. Because Georgia law considers dogs property, claims are typically filed with the dog owner’s property insurance.
Resources for dog bite victims in Atlanta
Legal help
- Karell Trial Attorneys
- Main office – 20 Lenox Pointe NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324
- Peachtree Road office – 3344 Peachtree Road NE Suite 800, Atlanta, Georgia 30326
- Phone: (678) 999-3331
Medical treatment
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Information about what to do if a child is bitten by a dog
- Piedmont Atlanta: High-quality medical care
Animal services
- Fulton County Animal Services: (404) 613-0358
