We may consider our dogs as furry family members, but they are also animals with sharp teeth that can react unpredictably to stimuli. When someone else’s dog attacks and bites, it’s not only traumatic and terrifying, but dog bites are prone to infection, leave disfiguring scars, and sometimes result in disability if the bites interfere with nerve function.
If you’ve been bitten or attacked by a dog in Georgia, call the dog bite attorneys in Norcross at González Torres Law for a free consultation to learn about your rights under Georgia’s complex dog bite laws.
Why Choose Us as Your Dog Bite Lawyers In Norcross?
A dog attack often causes emotional trauma as well as physical pain. Fortunately, Georgia holds dog owners accountable for bites in most cases; however, as an injury victim, you need legal representation to navigate the state’s dog bite laws effectively. At González Torres Law, our Norcross injury lawyers understand the distress you feel and offer the following:
- A free consultation and contingency-based payment so you only pay for our services after we recover your compensation
- A legal team with access to the best medical experts to make a compelling claim for your past and future damages
- An in-depth understanding of Georgia’s modified “One-Bite Rule”
- A results-oriented approach that prepares every case for trial while seeking a settlement as the most low-conflict resolution
Instead of taking on a challenging legal process alone, leave your financial recovery in the hands of a skilled Norcross dog bite attorney while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Understanding Georgia’s Dog Bite Law
Dog laws are different in each state, but most fall under one of two categories, either strict liability in which a dog’s owner is legally responsible for their pet’s actions from the moment they take ownership, or a “one-bite” rule which requires the bite victim to prove the owner’s negligence by showing evidence that the dog has bitten or shown aggression at least once before. Georgia operates under a modified version of the one-bite rule. Under this law, a pet owner is liable for a bite victim’s damages if the owner knew or should reasonably have known that the dog could bite or if the state determines a dog as “vicious” and the owner failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent the dog from biting. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, the law states the following:
“A person who owns or keeps a vicious or dangerous animal of any kind and who, by careless management or by allowing the animal to go at liberty, causes injury to another person who does not provoke the injury by his own act may be liable in damages to the person so injured.”
While a proven history of the dog biting someone else is the best way to prove the owner’s liability, it isn’t always necessary under Georgia law. Instead, any history of aggressive behaviors like growling, charging, or attempting to get away from an owner to attack can prove a dog qualifies as vicious under Georgia Law.
Common Damages Recovered In Georgia Dog Bite Claims
Dog bites include punctures, tears, lacerations, and abrasions. In the worst cases, a dog attack can result in facial disfigurement, scalp or throat wounds, and traumatic amputations. If not treated immediately dog bites can become infected, exacerbating the injury. The reality is that dog bites are serious injuries that often result in significant medical expenses. Filing a dog bite allows victims to recover compensation for those expenses and losses in the form of damages. Common damages recovered in dog bite claims in Norcross include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future income loss
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for other damages that might apply, such as traumatic limb loss, disfigurement, PTSD, or diminished quality of life
Many dog bite victims require counseling for emotional trauma after surviving a vicious dog attack.
Call the Dog Bite Lawyers at González Torres Law
No one should have to add the distress of a legal claim on top of the trauma of dog bite injuries. Instead, reach out to the dog bite attorneys at González Torres Law for experienced representation. Let our history of exceptional results put a powerful voice behind your claim. Call us today at (770) 475-8186.