Woodstock Dog Bite Lawyers
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics show over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States, and more than 800,000 victims require medical attention. The National Library of Medicine reports that about 30 to 50 people die from dog bites each year, and the Wilderness & Environmental Medicine (WEM) Journal said that the number of dog attacks appears to be increasing.
Many people in Woodstock consider themselves dog lovers, but there is no predicting how dogs will act. Anybody who has a dog bitten should quickly seek the help of an experienced Woodstock dog bite attorney for assistance recovering financial compensation to cover all costs relating to the treatment of their injuries.
Causes of Dog Bites
The actual reason that dogs bite people may not be known, but one reason dog bites occur usually involves some negligence by a dog owner. Georgia Code § 51-2-6 imposes liability on dog owners for injuries to livestock, but Georgia Code § 51-2-7 is the state law relating to injuries caused by dog bites.
According to this law, if someone owns or keeps a dog that is dangerous or vicious, they can be held responsible for any injuries caused by the animal due to careless management or allowing the dog to roam freely. It is enough to prove that the dog was not on a leash or under control as required by local ordinances and that the injured person did not provoke the attack. This law considers such dogs to have a vicious propensity.
Dogs bite people for a lot of different reasons. It is possible that seemingly tame household pets that have never shown any signs of aggression could suddenly snap for no apparent reason. Some dogs will bite people because of environmental factors, like when dogs feel threatened. Dogs can also bite people when they seek to protect their owners or territory. A dog owner is responsible for preventing foreseeable dog attacks by maintaining adequate control of their dog at all times. Some of the most common reasons dog attacks occur in Georgia include, but are not limited to:
- Dogs being provoked by their surroundings
- Dog owners failing to control dangerous animals
- Dog owners breaking leash laws
- People harming or provoking dogs
- People trespassing on private property
- Dogs being startled or scared by actions, fast movements, or noises
- Dogs having pain inflicted on them, intentionally or accidentally
- Dogs being sick or malnourished
- People disrupting dogs while they are eating or nursing
- Dogs defending territory or owners
- People trying to pet unfamiliar dogs
- Dogs running at large
You can do your part to prevent dog bite injuries by not petting or reaching out to stray or unfamiliar dogs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 4.7 million dog bites occurred in the nation during the most recent year for which published data was available, and approximately 799,700 persons needed medical care.
Of the 333,700 patients treated for dog bites in emergency departments that year, almost 6,000 (or 1.8 percent) were hospitalized. In 2001, an estimated 368,245 persons were treated in hospital emergency departments around the country for nonfatal dog bite-related injuries.
Types of Dog Bite Injuries in Woodstock
Woodstock Dog attacks can quickly become catastrophic, possibly causing injuries that can impact victims for the remainder of their lives. Dogs can inflict such damage as:
- Torn flesh
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones
- Tissue loss
- Puncture wounds
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Infections or diseases
- Torn muscles and ligaments
- Cuts and scrapes
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Wrongful death
Dog attacks may also cause several kinds of emotional injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Mayo Clinic notes that PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event that can lead to a wide variety of symptoms of adverse changes in thinking and mood, intrusive memories, avoidance, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.
Possible Dog Bite Damages
Dog owners can be liable for various damages to injured parties in dog bite cases. Compensatory damages typically involve economic damages and noneconomic damages. Seek legal assistance with your claim at Spaulding Injury Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer.
Economic damages are actual costs people can prove, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Noneconomic damages will be much more subjective. Such damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
Another less common kind of damages is punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages or vindictive damages. Georgia Code § 51-12-5.1 establishes that punitive damages can only be awarded in tort actions where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a defendant’s actions demonstrated willful misconduct, fraud, wantonness, malice, oppression, or that entire want of care that raises the presumption of conscious indifference to consequences, and they are awarded not as compensation but strictly to punish, penalize, or deter a defendant.
Punitive damages have a maximum of $250,000.00 in Georgia. A punitive damage award is scarce in a dog bite case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Woodstock Dog Bite Lawyers
Did another person’s dog bite you in Woodstock or surrounding Georgia? Do not wait to get in touch with Spaulding Injury Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer as soon as possible so you can get the proper legal guidance about proceeding with a claim in your case and recover all of the compensation you need and deserve. Our firm knows how confusing and challenging a dog bite case can be for most people, so we will work closely with you and help you navigate all the areas you have to deal with in filing a claim. You can have us examine your case and discuss all of your legal options with you as soon as you call (770) 744-0890 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.
Call us today to get your questions answered and learn more about our attorneys.
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Our Dog Bite Office in Woodstock
Our Spaulding Injury Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer is located close to you, on Milton Ave near Brooke Street Park and The other Alpharetta cemetery, approximately 2 miles from Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center.
Alpharetta Office located at 132 Milton Ave, Alpharetta, GA 30009, United States.