Over 45% of Amercian households include at least one dog, supporting the universal belief that they are our best friends. Unfortunately, encountering the sharp teeth of a snarling, aggressive dog is an instant reminder that they are also animals with mysterious animal motives that harken back to their wolf ancestors.
If you suffered serious dog bite injuries in Duluth or the surrounding Georgia region, you may feel overwhelmed by the pain and trauma of the experience. Reach out to the dog bite lawyers at González Torres Law for experienced representation by Duluth injury attorneys who’ve advocated for dog bite victims in Georgia with a history of success.
Why Choose the Duluth Dog Bite Lawyers at Gonzalez Torres Law?
Dog bites leave lasting physical and emotional scars. It may seem clear that the dog’s owner is responsible, but Georgia’s dog bite liability laws are more nuanced than those in other states. By choosing González Torres Law, you can expect the following:
- Compassionate legal advocacy by a team of attorneys with over two decades of combined experience
- Assertive representation to prove the pet owner’s liability and negotiate the largest possible settlement
- A trial-ready attorney who will prepare your case as though for court should it become necessary while always seeking a low-conflict resolution that aligns with your goals
We are a bilingual law firm that welcomes clients from all walks of life with a free consultation to evaluate your case. If you hire an attorney from González Torres Law, you pay nothing until you have your settlement or jury award in hand.
What Types of Injuries Happen In Duluth Dog Bite Cases?
Dogs may become aggressive if they feel that their space, their belongings, their food, or their owner is under a perceived threat. A dog’s teeth include both sharp canines that cause deep punctures and jagged teeth that act like serrated knives for tearing meat. Common injuries seen in Georgia dog bite cases include the following:
- Lacerations, puncture wounds, and abrasions
- Bruises
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Facial injuries
- Scalp injuries
- Degloving (flesh torn or peeled back from hands or feet)
- Traumatic amputations
- Throat injuries
In the worst instances, an attacking dog can cause fatal injuries, especially to children and elderly victims. If a loved one died from dog bite injuries, the Duluth wrongful death lawyers at González Torres Law are ready to help.
Understanding Georgia’s Dog Bite Liability Laws
Some states hold pet owners to strict liability laws, leaving them financially accountable for any damage or injury caused by their dogs. Other states require a dog bite victim to prove the owner acted negligently if it’s the first time the dog has ever bitten, under the premise that the owner couldn’t have known the dog would bite if it hadn’t bitten before. Those states apply strict liability to a dog’s owner only if it’s bitten at least once before.
Georgia’s dog bite laws are a hybrid of both types of dog bite liability. Under § 51-2-7. Vicious Animals Law, bite victims can hold a dog owner strictly liable only if they knew the dog had a history of previous aggression and do not have to prove the owner acted negligently. If the dog has no previous history of biting, the injury victim must show that the owner violated a leash law or city ordinance in allowing the dog to bite and cause injury.
Call the Dog Bite Lawyers In Duluth Who Can Help
If you have suffered serious injuries due to dog bites in Duluth, it takes experienced representation to make a compelling case for full compensation for your damages, like medical expenses, lost wages, compensation for scarring and disfigurement, and other damages that might apply in unique cases, such as the loss of digits or traumatic amputation. Instead of taking on a challenging legal endeavor while also dealing with pain and trauma, contact González Torres Law today so we can evaluate your case and take action on your behalf. Call us at (770) 475-8186.