If someone else’s dog bites you or your child, your first reaction might be to think that it was in some way your fault. However, depending on the circumstances, the dog’s owner may be liable for the injuries and damages their pet caused.
A Brookhaven dog bites lawyer from our team can help you determine who is at fault for the dog bite injury. If someone else is responsible, we may be able to recover compensation for you.
Another Party Could Be Liable for Your Losses
In Georgia, dog owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior in most situations. O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7 states that a dog owner is liable if their careless management allows their dog to injure another person. This includes cases in which the owner allows the dog to roam free.
If you were bitten by a dog that was loose or off-leash, the owner could be financially liable. You may also have a case if the owner was with the dog when it bit you but failed to manage the animal responsibly.
There are a few exceptions to this law, though. Specifically, a dog owner is not responsible when their pet bites trespassers or people who provoke the animal.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Brookhaven, call (404) 888-8888
Brookhaven Dog Bite FAQs
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If a dog bit you, you may be entitled to financial compensation, known as damages, from the dog’s owner. A Brookhaven dog bites lawyer from our team can help you estimate the value of your case.
If you file a claim with the dog owner’s insurance company, they may offer you a quick settlement. Unless you have experience in this area, it can be hard to tell if the settlement is reasonable. Remember, insurance companies are in the business of making money, so their goal is generally to get you to accept the lowest possible offer.
What seems like a large settlement at first might not capture the true value of the damages you suffered. For example, it may cover your current medical costs but not treatments you will require in the future. It might also fail to compensate you for the emotional pain of the dog bite. If you rush to accept a settlement from the insurance company, you may end up shortchanged.
Examples of Recoverable Dog Bite Losses
Our team can estimate the value of your damages. There are two types of damages from a dog bite injury: economic and non-economic. Economic damages cover tangible expenses, such as medical bills, while non-economic damages cover intangible losses, such as pain and suffering or psychological trauma.
A Brookhaven dog bites lawyer at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can work with you to account for each of the expenses and losses you experienced. You may be entitled to financial compensation for:
- Medical costs, such as emergency room visits, doctor’s appointments, surgeries, wound treatment, prescription medications, and physical or occupational therapy
- Future medical expenses for ongoing treatments, such as physical therapy or wound care for infections that will not heal, or for expenses you have not yet incurred (such as cosmetic surgery for disfiguring wounds)
- Lost wages if you are out of work while you recover
- Scarring and disfigurement if the dog bite left you with permanent scars
- Pain and suffering if the dog bite left you with a long recovery, caused you significant pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, or affected your ability to enjoy life
- Psychological trauma if you suffer from flashbacks or nightmares after the dog bite
Brookhaven Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After You Get Hurt
A lawyer from our team can assist you throughout the legal process that comes after a dog bite. Here are some of the ways we can serve you:
Investigate the Dog Bite Incident
Our firm will investigate the dog bite incident and demonstrate that the dog’s owner is liable for your injuries. We can gather evidence (such as personal statements from eyewitnesses) to show that the owner failed to manage the dog or that the dog was loose. Witness statements are especially important if the owner claims that you provoked the dog.
Demonstrate the Walue of Your Case
We can gather evidence to support the value of your damages. This evidence can include:
- Pictures of your injuries
- Medical bills and receipts
- Past earnings statements to show your lost wages
Deal With the Insurance Company
Once you have us representing you, you never have to speak with the insurance company again. We can handle all communication with the insurance provider, including filing a claim, submitting documentation, and negotiating a settlement on your behalf.
Represent You in Court
Sometimes, negotiations fail to bring about a reasonable settlement. When that happens, one of our lawyers can file a lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court.
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Statute of Limitations for a Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit
Georgia law limits the amount of time you have to seek financial compensation through a lawsuit after a dog bite injury. O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 sets the statute of limitations for personal injury at two years. For a dog bite injury, this two-year period begins the day of the dog bite.
Once two years have passed, you forfeit any right to recover damages. Act now before it is too late. If you suffered from injuries after a dog bite, call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today at (404) 888-8888 for a FREE consultation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form