Dog Bite Injury Claims In Georgia

In this article, you will learn…

• What law Georgia has in regards to dog bites,
• Why children are the more common victim of dog bites, and
• What damages you could potentially recover from a dog bite case.

What Does Georgia Dog Bites Law Say?

The state of Georgia allows dog bite and dog attack victims to recover compensation for the negligence of the dog owner or the dog keeper. According to the most recent statistics, there are approximately 4.751 million dog bite victims in the US each year. Dog bites are a very serious problem and it’s important to be aware of your rights if you’ve been injured in a dog attack.

To establish liability in a dog attack case, it must be shown that the dog owner was…

• Aware of previous attacks,
• Aware of dangerous behavior, or
• Failed to properly secure their dog.

Leash laws are there to prevent dog attacks, but many dog owners don’t abide by this law.

The injured victim must prove that they didn’t do anything to provoke the dog to reduce the percentage.

What Are The Circumstances Which Generally Lead To Dog Bite Attacks In Georgia?

The most common cause of dog bite attacks in Georgia is the carelessness of the owner in securing the dog. We often see when a homeowner lets their dog outside, the dog escapes the property, and then the dog attacks someone. We have leash laws to help prevent dog attacks and dog bites.

How Often Are Children Victims Of Dog Bites In Georgia?

Children are more likely to be attacked and seriously injured by a dog because…

• They’re smaller,
• They lack caution, and
• They’re most trusting.

Children often go up to strangers and dogs without caution and put their hands right out into the dog’s face. With their smaller size, a child’s head and neck are right at the mouth of the dog. Due to this, children have a higher risk of being bitten on the head or neck, which can lead to life-threatening injuries and infections if not properly treated.

Injuries sustained from a dog bite can include…

• Puncture wounds,
• Lacerations,
• Fractures,
• Dislocations,
• Scratches,
• Scars, and
• Stitches

While you can see most of those injuries, there can also be lasting mental damages associated with dog attacks in children. We often see PTSD and other mental health issues after the trauma of a dog attack. Children lack the life experience to help them deal with their emotions and seek out the help they need.

What Damages Are Potentially Recoverable In A Dog Bite Attack?

When you’re injured by a dog bite, there are several ways that a victim can be compensated for injuries. You may be entitled to compensation for…

• Medical bills,
• Lost wages,
• Lost earning capacities,
• Pain and suffering,
• Future revision for scarring, and
• Punitive damages in rare cases.

How Are Potential Future Medical Costs Calculated?

Potential future medical costs are calculated by looking at exactly what type of treatment is needed and what that future cost will be. They compile that information into what we call a life car plan or a future medical care plan. We use these plans to paint the full picture of the damages the client has received.

If The Victim Of a Dog Bite Was Partially At Fault Could They Still Recover For Their Injuries In Georgia?

If the victim of a dog bite was partially at fault, they could still recover a reduced amount for their injuries in Georgia. Some ways you may have been at fault for a dog bite could be that you…

• Hit it,
• Stepped on its tail,
• Intervened in a dog fight, or
• Did something to provoke the dog to attack.

Typically, your recovery is going to be reduced by the percentage of fault. It isn’t always a complete bar to recovery, but it becomes a conversation about what amount you were at fault and what compensation, if any, you are entitled to as a result of that fault.

For more information on Dog Bite Injury Claims In Georgia, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (404) 383-8835 today.