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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 Dog Bite 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.
Voted Among the Best Personal Injury Firms in Gwinnett County 6 Years in a Row by Gwinnett Magazine
Even though society has deemed dogs safe to be in the home, they are still animals who can bite. Many dog bites are from unknown dogs, but some happen with our beloved family dogs. You have legal options if you have been bitten or attacked by a dog in Peachtree Corners. Physical and financial recovery can be difficult, and you should not be the one paying for all these losses. Speak to a Peachtree Corners dog bite lawyer today.
Georgia dog bite laws
There is some controversy regarding Georgia’s dog bite laws. These issues can impact your claim and the possibility of reimbursement. Pet owners are only responsible for their dog’s actions when they know it is dangerous. This law is also referred to as the first-bite rule. This law was altered in 2017 to extend the one bite to a dog having previously snapped at a person as sufficient to indicate aggression in the dog and the owner knowing of their aggression.
The change in the law made it easier for dog bite victims to seek compensation for their injuries and expenses. Generally speaking, to have a successful personal injury claim for a dog bite, you must prove the following:
- The dog was vicious.
- The owner knew about the dog’s predisposition to aggression
- The owner was negligent in handling the dog
Two terms can impact your case: classified and dangerous dogs. A classified dog is vicious or dangerous. A dangerous dog has caused a puncture wound to a person with their teeth, causing an injury. There are some caveats to these legal definitions, such as when the dog was working for the military or law enforcement or if they injured a trespasser. You must speak to a Peachtree Corners dog bite lawyer to assess the dog’s status.
Damages you can recover
You will likely suffer damages from a dog bite incident. Your compensation award will vary greatly depending on the losses you suffer. The AVMA states that 20% of all dog bites require medical attention. You will have physical injuries, but you may also experience psychological trauma. You can pursue compensation for your dog bite claim, such as:
- Medical bill reimbursement
- Estimated future medical expenses
- Trauma and emotional harm inflicted
- Lost wages and benefits
- Property damages
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death
You must hire a Peachtree Corners dog bite lawyer and file a claim to get compensation for these and other losses. Spaulding Injury Law will assess your dog bite and determine which damage you can seek. Every case is unique and must be treated as such.
Injuries you may suffer
You might assume that all dogs are friendly, but even a small, unassuming dog can cause serious injury when they attack. Their history of peace or aggression may not impact how they behave today. Annually over 4.5 million people suffer dog bites. Some of these injuries heal with treatment, while others leave permanent scars or impairments. You can suffer a range of injuries from minor to severe, including:
- Cuts and abrasions
- Puncture wounds
- Nerve damage
- Infections from open wounds
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Ligaments, tendons, and muscle injury
- Psychological trauma
Sometimes a loved one dies from a dog bite, whether from the bite or an infection caused by the bite. Surviving families can file a wrongful death claim to recover damages. You must work with your medical team to determine if your injuries will have long-term effects. Spaulding Injury Law will also discuss your future with your team to address it in your demand letter.
Who pays your dog bite claim?
Dog bite victims are unsure of who will pay for their losses. Many believe they are responsible for paying for medical bills and expenses. In general, the dog owner is responsible for their dog and therefore paying your losses. But how do they pay? Well, often, dogs must be registered with homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. So if a dog bite happens, the insurance company will be responsible for investigating the attack and paying for damages.
The intricacies and laws surrounding these insurance claims can be confusing. These companies and dog owners seem unwilling to pay for victims’ losses. The best thing you can do is get legal representation. Our Peachtree Corners dog bite lawyer will look for all potential parties that can pay your losses. Every situation is unique, and you must know your rights to compensation before taking any additional steps.
What you should do if bitten
What you do following a dog bite will impact your compensation claim. You must show the dog owner was negligent and that you suffered injuries. Some steps you can take to protect your claim include:
Medical attention
Even minor injuries can have severe consequences. You must seek medical attention to get a diagnosis. You should also follow up with any recommended treatments and appointments. Medical documents are vital evidence correlating your injuries to the dog attack. Do not skip out on getting care.
Get the dog’s information
If the situation allows, get information about the dog and its owner. Take pictures of the dog so we can use it to identify it later. If the owner is around, ask about vaccination records and veterinary information. If the owner isn’t cooperative, there are other ways to find this information. You must report the incident to the authorities and speak to Spaulding Injury Law.
Track your expenses
As you recover from the attack, you will likely incur damages. You should keep track of them and keep all your receipts. Some damages will not have a dollar amount and require additional steps to calculate them. We will tabulate all of your losses when handling your case.
Do not apologize
You may feel bad but do not apologize to the owner. They can use your apology to say you provoked the dog. That can hurt your ability to get compensation. The insurance company will find an excuse to lower your claim.
Talk to a Peachtree Corners dog bite attorney today
After a dog bite, get medical attention and speak to Spaulding Injury Law. We are here to help injury victims. Schedule an initial consultation with our Peachtree Corners dog bite attorney today.
Visit Our Dog Bite Office in Peachtree Corners, GA
We help victims inside the Gwinnett County Area and our firm is conveniently located near Peachtree Corners. We have an office in Lawrenceville at 223 Scenic Hwy S #202 Lawrenceville, GA