Our Atlanta Dog Bite Injury Attorneys Can Help
4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year. 885,000 of these dog bites result in medical attention, and about half of these dog bites involve children.
If you or a loved one are among those injured in a dog bite incident, you have legal rights and may be eligible for compensation for your losses. To speak with an Atlanta dog bite lawyer, contact The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. for a free, no-risk consultation. Our experienced and compassionate attorneys are here to investigate and build a solid case for everything you need to move on with life. Call 404-495-3716 today. Not only do we offer free consultations, but we also work on a contingency fee basis, and have 5-star reviews to show for the work we do for our clients.
What Our Dog Bite Lawyers Do for You
We Focus on Client Care. Going through a dog attack is traumatic. That’s’ why our entire team puts your well-being above everything else. From getting proper medical care to addressing your legal questions, we’ll handle it and keep you comfortable. At Champion, every client is assigned a dedicated team that provides regular updates, quick action, and honest answers.
We Handle the Toughest Dog Bite Injuries Dog bite injuries are more complicated than most victims expect. The incidents often involve people and pets, and dog bite liability can get complex. We have the experience and resources to investigate dog bites and determine what happened and who’s responsible. Then, we’ll fight to ensure they are held accountable.
We Pursue the Max & Get Results. Since our Firm started in 2014, The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. has recovered more than $100 Million in damages for our clients. We are committed to getting justice for dog bite victims and know what it takes to recover full and fair value for what a dog owner’s negligence cost you.
We Know a Good Offer But Always Prepare for Trial. Most dog bite cases are resolved with an insurance settlement. However, we can take your case to court if the other side will not negotiate in good faith. By always preparing for each case for trial, The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. is ready for anything and committed to your best interests.
What to Do After an Atlanta Dog Bite?
When faced with the aftermath of a vicious dog attack, it can be hard to know where to turn or what steps to take. At The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., here are our recommendations if a dog injures you or a loved one because of another’s negligence or reckless conduct.
Get Medical Care ASAP
The Mayo Clinic advises that dog bite victims get medical attention immediately. In addition to blood and tissue loss, a dog bite exposes you to severe infections and other diseases. Our team can help connect you to trustworthy doctors and the resources you need to address a severe dog bite.
Keep Receipts & Medical Records
Hold on to all medical bills and receipts for your dog bite. These records can help reflect the economic impact of your injuries and the scope of what you endured. A dog bite injury lawyer will include these records with your claim and pursue reimbursement through the liable party’s insurance or via a dog bite lawsuit.
Let Your Lawyer Deal with Insurers
You might receive a phone call from the dog owner’s insurance company. In our experience, insurance companies like to settle cheaply and quickly. If the insurance adjuster makes an offer, wants a statement, or even asks you questions, politely decline. Wait to speak to the insurance company until you talk to an attorney.
Avoid Posting about the Dog Bite
Some things should be kept offline, including details about your dog bit injury. The other side’s attorney will be looking for any photos, comments, or evidence that casts doubt on the severity of your injuries or damages. You don’t want to jeopardize your case by posting about the incident.
Consult a Dog Bit Lawyer
The sooner you call for a free consultation after a dog attack, the better. Filing an insurance claim after a dog bite takes time, and acting fast prevents things from falling through the cracks. At Champion, we want to make the process easy on victims. We can meet at our office, your home, the hospital, or by phone or video call.
Dog Bite Injuries & Liability Law
Dog bite injuries can be serious, and can result in death. Dog bite injuries can be painful and difficult to recover from. Because dog bites are such scary events, they also frequently result in emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Common Atlanta Dog Bite Injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Infections and diseases
- Broken bones
- Torn muscles and other soft tissues
- Scarring
- Nerve damage
- Disfigurement
- Eye and vision injuries
- Head and neck injuries
Some dog bites are so severe that the victim needs reconstructive surgery, skin grafts, and prosthetics. The at-fault party’s insurance should cover these expensive treatments and not pay out of your pocket. A dog bite lawyer with The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. can help recover these damages on your behalf.
How Dog Bites Happen
Dog bites can happen in various ways, but owner negligence is the most common cause. The following situations may result in a dog bite due to negligence.
- Encountering an Unsupervised or Untrained Dog
- Owners or Dog Care Professionals Failing to Restrain a Dog
- A Lack of Warning Signs or Inadequate Safety Measures on a Property with a Dog
- Unsecured Properties, Enclosures, or Dog Care Facilities
Dog Bite Liability: Who’s Responsible?
In most cases, a dog’s owner is responsible if the animal bites someone. However, if the injured party was teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog, they could be at fault for their injuries.
Reasonable Measures By Dog Owners
Dog owners in Georgia are legally required to take reasonable measures to prevent their pets from harming others. Reasonable measures may include:
- Keeping dogs on a leash or harness.
- Keeping dogs in a fenced yard or kennel.
- Getting dogs vaccinated against rabies and other diseases.
- Registering their dogs per local and state laws.
- Obeying local dog ordinances.
When owners, dog walkers, or anyone entrusted with a dog does not meet this obligation, and someone is injured, they can be found legally liable.
For example, many victims are bitten by dogs whose owners allow them to run loose and off-leash. Failing to keep a dog on a leash, leaving a backyard gate open, and other reckless acts are often enough to establish liability. Dog owners who fail to take these steps can and should be held accountable.
Proving Negligence Caused a Dog Bite
Our Atlanta lawyers have a deep understanding of Georgia liability and dog negligence laws, as well as Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law.
To recover compensation in a dog bite claim or lawsuit, you must show that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. This means demonstrating the dog owner or party controlling the dog was negligent in some way, resulting in damages or loss.
Here are the elements of negligence in a Georgia dog bite claim:
- Duty of care – The party responsible had a legal duty to prevent harm caused by the dog. In most cases, this falls on the dog owner or the party responsible for the dog at the time of the attack
- Breach of duty – The responsible person breached their duty by failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the dog bite, such as not properly restraining the dog or not adequately supervising it.
- Causation – You must also establish a direct link between negligence and the dog bite injury.
- Damages – You suffered actual economic and non-economic damages as a result of the dog bite.
Evidence in Atlanta Dog Bite Cases
Dog bite cases may seem straightforward, but they are very fact-specific. You must have an experienced attorney to investigate and evaluate the facts. To support your claim that negligence caused a dog bite, you can work with your attorney to gather evidence and supporting documentation.
The dog bite lawyers with The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. can help collect the following evidence common in dog bite cases:
- Photos or videos
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Previous incidents (mainly if the dog is classified as aggressive or dangerous)
Our dog bite attorneys in Marietta, GA, have a deep understanding of state liability and negligence laws, as well as Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law.
We Demand the Maximum for Dog Bite Victims.
Compensation for Atlanta Dog Bite Injuries
Our dog bite attorneys know how important it is to win a verdict or settlement as soon as possible. The medical bills from a dog bite can add up quickly. We get it. Our legal team’s years of experience and efficient processes let us prepare dog bite claims fast. You won’t have to wait around.
After a dog bite, you may be entitled to your:
- Medical expenses (bills now and down the line)
- Lost income (wages you missed and will in the future)
- Property damage (for items you lost during the attack)
- Pain and suffering (the physical and emotional stress you endured)
- Funeral expenses (if a loved one died from dog bite injuries)
At Champion, we carefully evaluate your current and future damages related to your dog bite injuries. An insurance settlement is final and binding, so it must cover all economic and emotional losses. A dog bite lawyer in Marietta can protect you and your loved ones from future financial stress.
Atlanta Dog Bite FAQs
Do you have questions after a dog bite incident? Here are some of the most common questions we discuss with our current and prospective clients.
I Know the Dog that Bit Me. What are My Options?
Many dog bite accidents happen to neighbors and while visiting friends. These can be delicate situations, but you should not bear the financial burden of a dog attack. In most cases, a dog owner’s home insurance policy will cover dog bites, but the process moves along more smoothly and is less contentious with your own lawyer to handle things.
What if Another Dog Bites My Dog?
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to pursue compensation for damages when another dog attacks your dog.
Are Some Dog Breeds More Likely to Bite?
All dogs can bite. However, according to Dogsbite.org, pit bull terriers and rottweilers were responsible for 76% of fatal dog bites from 2005 to 2020.
What if the Dog Never Displayed Aggressive Behavior Before?
A dog’s lack of prior aggression does not absolve the owner of liability. The focus is generally on the dog owner’s negligence and whether reasonable steps were taken to prevent the bite.
Do Dog Bite Claims Have Time Limits?
The statute of limitations in Georgia for filing a dog bite injury claim is generally two years from the incident date. This means you have two years from the date of the dog bite to initiate legal action seeking compensation for your injuries and damages.
What If You’re Offered a Dog Bite Settlement?
The insurance company representing the dog owner typically wants you to accept less than your case is worth. They often make low-ball offers explicitly designed to make your case go away. You should consult a lawyer any time before accepting. You could be forgoing compensation you’ll need later or forfeiting your right to file a lawsuit altogether. The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. can review any offer and will fight for full compensation.
Contact Our Atlanta Lawyers after a Dog Bite
If you or a loved one suffered injuries or a tragic loss because a dog owner or someone else was negligent, we can help. Contact The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. and our Atlanta injury lawyers today at 404-495-3716 by phone, text, or chat. We don't charge upfront fees unless we win.