In the US, there are roughly 4.5 million dog bites per year, and roughly 27,000 of them may require reconstructive surgery. These numbers are particularly tragic considering that many dog bite victims are children.
No matter what the circumstances, if you live in Cumming, GA and you have been bitten by a dog you should speak to a good dog bite lawyer immediately. At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping victims across Georgia for more than 25 years.
Reach out to our Cumming personal injury lawyer to learn more about your legal options.
What Should I Do If I Was Bitten By a Dog in Cumming?
First, seek medical attention. If you can stay on the scene for a bit though, the best thing to do is to gather as much information as possible. You will want to find out who owns the dog and how to contact them if at all possible. If you speak to the owner or anyone who knows the dog, you should also find out:
- What shots the dog has had
- Whether the dog has ever attacked/bitten anyone before
It’s not always easy to get this information after an attack. Dog owners may not want to tell you anything, and your top priority is to get medical treatment. If you have been bitten and do not know who owns the dog, we can send out our investigator to track the owner down.
Often, we can identify the dog simply by talking to neighbors in the area. Dog attacks are loud and attract attention. You may have a witness willing to give testimony about the attack. Knowing which dog attacked you and who owns it is crucial for your case.
Who Should I Report a Dog Bite to in Cumming?
In the City of Cumming, all dog bites should be reported to two different authorities:
- The Cumming Police Department. Your police report will be helpful in pursuing your claim, and the police can come and capture the dog if needed.
- Forsyth County Animal Control. Animal Control is responsible for reporting all dangerous animals and may know if the dog in question has a history of violence.
A dog bite attorney in Cumming can use the information from these reports to pursue a claim against the owner of the dog. Be sure to report to both agencies to protect yourself and the public.
If I Report a Dog Bite, Will the Dog Be Put Down?
No, in most cases, the dog will not be harmed or put down. Only aggressive or violent dogs are put down for attacking someone. In Georgia, this includes:
- Any dog that has previously bitten someone. This is known as the “one free bite” rule. Any dog may bite under the wrong circumstances, but a dog that has done it two or more times is considered aggressive and unsafe.
- Certain aggressive dog breeds. Certain dog breeds are considered to have a history of violence, like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, any wolf hybrid, and certain fighting breeds.
If the dog that did attack you falls under these categories, the state may decide to put the dog down. Remember that it is the owner’s responsibility to train and watch their animals. The fault lies on them, not on you.
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Who Is Legally Responsible for Injuries Caused By a Dog?
The owner is always the responsible party in a dog bite claim. Under Georgia law, dog owners have a duty to make sure their dogs are trained, properly behaved and controlled at all times. If someone else is walking or babysitting the dog, the owner has a duty to choose someone who can carry out these responsibilities.
Dog owners in Georgia also face additional obligations. Since 2012, the Georgia Responsible Dog Owner Act has required that any owner of a dangerous dog breed must have at least $50,000 in liability insurance.
The purpose of this insurance is to make sure that dog bite victims like you can have all of your expenses covered. You have a right to a complete financial recovery, and this insurance can go a long way toward making that happen.
What Costs Can I Recover for a Dog Bite?
Because the injury is not your fault, you can recover all costs related to it. This may include:
- Medical expenses such as shots, doctor visits, surgery or rehabilitation
- Psychological treatment if the dog attack was traumatic
- Any lost income related to the attack
- Financial compensation for pain and suffering in some cases
The specifics of each case will reveal which damages and how much you could receive for your case. You will need to speak with a dog bite lawyer in Cumming for more information.
What If the Dog Who Bit Me Belongs to a Friend or Neighbor?
We still recommend you report the dog bite and move forward with your claim. We understand that it can be hard to consider a claim against someone close to you. However, the medical expenses related to a dog bite can be extreme and you may need more treatment down the line.
It is not fair that you and your family have to pay out of pocket for something caused by someone else’s negligence. Remember that dog bite claims do not have to be personal. Any money you receive could be paid out of homeowner’s insurance or liability insurance. It does not need to come out of your loved one’s pocket.
What If the Dog Bit Me While I Was Working on Someone’s Home?
You have the same rights no matter why you were on the premises. When a homeowner hires you to work on their property, they are implicitly guaranteeing you a safe work environment. This includes having their dogs crated or controlled at all times.
If the dog attacks you, it is because of their own negligence even if they claim you provoked it. As a worker, you should pursue your dog bite claim and you may also have a worker’s comp claim, making it much easier to get your financial recovery.
What If I Was Trespassing and Was Attacked?
This is an exception to the rules. A homeowner has little obligation toward the safety of people on their property illegally. A dog is also not an attractive nuisance. Your odds of obtaining compensation are low.
One possible exception is if the owner deliberately made their dog attack you. This is a claim that would have to be argued in court by a competent Cumming dog bite attorney, and you’d likely need a criminal defense lawyer as well.
If I Only Received Emotional Damage in a Dog Attack, Can I Still Sue?
Yes, though our evidence will need to be strong. We will need a doctor to show how the attack affected you mentally. For instance, if you didn’t have a dog phobia before and now you have a diagnosis, that could be grounds for damages.
The sheer panic of getting attacked by a large animal can cause mental trauma that lasts a lifetime. You deserve to be compensated for it, and we will pursue emotional damage as part of our claim should the evidence support it.
How Much does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Cumming?
It shouldn’t cost you anything out of pocket. At John Foy & Associates, we follow a very simple policy:
- You pay nothing for your consultation.
- You pay nothing upfront.
- You pay nothing ever unless we win you money.
We believe this is the fairest, lowest-risk way for you to get the legal help you need. If you win your case, we will take a percentage of the total winnings as our fee. If you lose, we get paid nothing.
How Long do I Have to Sue After a Dog Bite in Cumming?
You have two years under Georgia law in most cases to file a lawsuit for an injury. While there are some circumstances that can shorten this timeframe, most exceptions are unlikely in a dog bite incident.
Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer in Cumming Today
Not all lawyers understand dog bites cases. Talk to someone with the experience to help you. Let us give you a FREE consultation to explore your legal options and decide what’s right for you. Call us or contact us online and get your FREE consultation today.
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