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Were you injured in Lawrenceville, GA or its surroundings? Our lawyers can help you recover from your losses. We have decades of combined experience handling local personal injury cases.
Having a local personal injury lawyer with experience with and knowledge of the actual value of your case is vital to ensuring you receive the most compensation possible for your injuries.
Our award-winning personal injury lawyers know the best way to go up against insurance companies because we used to work with them and use that experience to help you win.
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Dog Bite Lawyer in Lilburn
Dog bites can cause severe injuries and significant emotional trauma. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 4 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, with approximately 800,000 requiring medical attention.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Lilburn, Georgia, you have legal options. Spaulding Injury Law can guide you through this challenging process.
Georgia Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims
Every state has a statute of limitations, which sets the time limit for filing a civil lawsuit. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for a dog bite case is two years from the date of the bite. If you do not file your claim within this period, you risk losing your right to seek compensation.
Why Does the Statute of Limitations Matter?
The statute of limitations is a critical aspect of any legal claim. If you do not file your lawsuit within the specified time frame, you will almost certainly lose your right to pursue your claim in court.
The court system is very strict about enforcing the statute of limitations. If you try to file your lawsuit after the deadline has passed, it is very likely that the person you are trying to sue will point this out to the court as a defense, and the court will dismiss your case.
Are There Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations?
While the two-year time limit is generally firm, there can be certain exceptions or circumstances that could pause or “toll” the running of the statute of limitations, extending the deadline. For example, if a dog bite victim is a minor at the time of the incident, the clock may not start running until the victim reaches the age of majority.
However, these exceptions are relatively rare, and you should not rely on being an exception to the rule.
What Should You Do?
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, reach out to a legal professional as soon as possible. Spaulding Injury Law in Lilburn, Georgia, can help you file all paperwork correctly and on time. We can assist you in understanding your rights, establishing liability, and seeking the compensation you deserve. Remember, time is of the essence in these cases, so do not delay in seeking legal counsel.
Georgia Dog Bite Law and Owner Liability
Unlike some states, Georgia does not have a “one-bite rule.” Instead, Georgia’s dog bite law (O.C.G.A § 51-2-7) states that a dog owner can be held liable if they knew their dog had a tendency to bite and failed to restrain the dog or take proper precautions to prevent the bite. The law applies whether the bite occurred on private or public property.
Potential Defenses in a Dog Bite Claim
Dog owners might argue that the person bitten was trespassing, provoked the dog, or assumed the risk of getting bitten. As your legal representatives, our Lilburn dog bite attorneys at
Spaulding Injury Law can help challenge these defenses and prove the dog owner’s liability:
- Trespassing: This defense claims that the injured person was unlawfully on the property when the incident occurred. Under Georgia law, dog owners generally are not liable for injuries to trespassers. However, this is not an absolute rule, and there can be exceptions.
- Provocation: A dog owner might argue that the victim provoked the dog, causing it to react aggressively. This can be a complex area to navigate, as the court will consider the actions of the victim and the behavior of the dog.
- Assumption of Risk: If a person was aware that a dog might act aggressively but chose to interact with it anyway, the dog owner might claim that the person “assumed the risk” of being bitten. This defense can apply if the victim was warned about the dog’s aggressive behavior or if the dog was a breed known for aggression.
At Spaulding Injury Law, we are skilled at challenging these defenses:
- Challenging the Trespassing Defense: We can gather evidence to prove that you were lawfully on the property when the bite occurred. This might include testimony, surveillance footage, or other physical evidence.
- Counteracting the Provocation Defense: By collecting information about the incident, including the actions of the victim and the behavior of the dog, we can argue against claims of provocation. For example, if a child was merely playing with a dog and got bitten, we can argue that this does not constitute provocation under the law.
- Disputing the Assumption of Risk Defense: We can gather evidence and testimony to show that you were not aware of the risk or that the dog owner failed to warn you about the dog’s aggressive tendencies.
Spaulding Injury Law is dedicated to proving the dog owner’s liability, no matter what defenses they raise. We are well-versed in Georgia’s dog bite laws and have extensive experience dealing with these cases. We will conduct a thorough investigation, gather the necessary evidence, and craft a strong case to protect your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Lilburn, Georgia
If you’re bitten by a dog, take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention: Prioritize your health and get medical treatment as soon as possible. Delaying or refusing treatment can jeopardize your health and your potential claim.
- Report the incident: Notify local animal control or law enforcement agencies about the incident. They can create an official report, which can serve as valuable evidence in your claim.
- Document everything: Take pictures of your injuries, the location of the incident, and the dog, if possible. Keep a record of your medical treatment and any expenses related to your injury.
- Contact a dog bite lawyer: A skilled Lilburn dog bite lawyer can help protect your rights.
Types Of Cases We Handle
There are many different ways that personal injuries can happen, and each resulting legal claim will be different with its own unique circumstances. Our Duluth personal injury lawyers handle many types of cases, and we help clients after the following and more:
Why Choose Spaulding Injury Law for Your Dog Bite Case?
At Spaulding Injury Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact a dog bite can have. We’re dedicated to fighting for the rights of dog bite victims in Lilburn, Georgia, and securing the compensation they deserve.
We have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and understand the tactics they use to minimize or deny claims. We’re not afraid to stand up to these companies and fight for your right to fair compensation.If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite incident in Lilburn, Georgia, don’t hesitate to contact Spaulding Injury Law for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your case, explain your legal options, and outline how we can assist you in your pursuit of justice.
Visit Our Dog Bite Lawyer Office in Lilburn, GA
We help victims inside the Gwinnett County Area and our firm is conveniently located near Lilburn. We have an office in Lawrenceville at 223 Scenic Hwy S #202 Lawrenceville, GA