DOG BITES
Dog owners are liable for the unprovoked actions of their pets, and they or their insurance company should pay for injuries caused by their dog. Georgia’s dog bite liability laws can make that process more difficult than you might assume. Georgia uses a “modified one-bite” rule, which means a dutiful dog owner might not be liable for their pet’s first bite if they had no previous evidence of the dog’s potential aggressiveness.
However, there are exceptions to the one bite rule in Georgia, which is why it’s often prefaced with “modified.” There are certain negligent owner actions that can result in liability, even if the dog had no previous bites and didn’t display any previous aggressive tendencies.
If the owner failed to keep their dog leashed, or the dog attack was entirely unprovoked, the owner could be liable for a dog’s first bite. Every dog attack scenario is unique, and Georgia cities and counties often have varying dog ordinances, which is why you should consider contacting Zdrilich Injury Law to discuss your situation during a free consultation.
Many dog owners truly believe their dog is a friendly sweetheart – and their pet may be friendly when it’s with them and their family. Pet owners generally aren’t objective witnesses when it comes to judging the aggressiveness or perceived viciousness of their pet. This can be problematic in a dog bite case where it’s the victim’s word against the dog owner’s word.
A Duluth attorney experienced in dog bite cases can help. Zdrilich Injury Law knows how to investigate these situations and develop compelling cases that show the dog attack meets the necessary criteria to overcome Georgia’s modified one-bite rule.
Georgia is a dog-friendly state. People love their pets and understandably see them in the rosiest light. Unfortunately, dog bites are not uncommon. Millions of dog bites occur in the United States each year, and hundreds of thousands of patients require emergency medical attention for those bites.
For a variety of reasons, children are the most common victims of dog bites. Since children are smaller and more vulnerable than adults, they often suffer severe, traumatizing and in some cases life-altering injuries from animal attacks.
Families often need significant funds to cover things like hospital stays, rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery after a dog bite. Those types of medical treatments can be hugely expensive, which is why it’s important for dog bite victims or their families to act as soon as possible after an attack occurs.
The people who are bitten by dogs are often the friends, family members or neighbors of the dog owner. Filing a dog bite injury claim can feel like betraying someone you like or someone you need to maintain a good relationship with.
You shouldn’t be forced to bear the significant financial consequences of someone else’s actions, even if the liable person is someone you know. If the situation was reversed, do you think they would forego justified compensation?
Also keep in mind that homeowners insurance often covers dog bite claims. In some cases, the dog owner isn’t forced to pay much out of pocket for dog bite damages.
Before you decide what to do, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with a dog bite attorney during a free consultation. Zdrilich Injury Law would be happy to talk you through your options after a dog bite injury.
Do you need to speak with a Duluth personal injury attorney? Zdrilich Injury Law is ready to help.
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Zdrilich Injury Law is committed to helping injured Georgians receive the money they need to recover physically and financially after an accident.
Zdrilich Injury Law, LLC providers one-on-one representation to car accident, truck accident and workers’ compensation clients in Georgia.
770-691-1680
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Duluth Office
3575 Koger Blvd. Ste 125
Duluth, GA 30096
Phone:
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Savannah Office
123 Canal St. Ste 201
Pooler, GA 31322
Phone:
(912) 888-1111
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11545 Parkwoods Cir. Ste B
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Phone:
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