Millions of Americans suffer the devastating effects of dog bites each year. Even a relatively minor bite can require extensive medical treatment. A more severe bite or attack can leave you among the 27,000 people each year who have to undergo reconstructive surgery because a dog bit them.
If you or a family member has suffered a dog bite in Roswell, you need assistance from a Roswell dog bite attorney. At John Foy & Associates, we help dog bite victims get the money they need to pay for their treatment and recovery. Our lawyers are here to help. Call us at (404) 400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
Our Roswell Dog Bite Lawyers Can Help You Win
Our dog bite lawyers in Roswell can help you win a settlement that accurately reflects all the damages you sustained. While you don’t need a lawyer to file a claim and negotiate with the insurance company, not having one puts you at an extreme disadvantage.
Insurance companies have lots of resources and strong legal expertise to challenge your compensation claim successfully. So, while you rest and recover from your dog bite, our experienced and dedicated dog bite lawyers will fight hard and even the odds, ensuring your best interests get represented.
What do I Do After a Dog Bites Me in Roswell, GA?
Always take care of your immediate medical needs and see a doctor before you do anything else. However, if you don’t have to go to the hospital right away, you can stay at the scene and get some information about the dog. Ask these key questions:
- Who is the dog’s owner, and what is their address?
- Has the dog had its shots? Find out as much as you can about its vaccination record.
- Does this dog have a history of biting people?
Don’t be surprised if the dog’s owner doesn’t want to answer your questions. Or, you may not even be able to find out who the dog belongs to. We’ll send our investigative team to the neighborhood to find out about the dog and its owner as much as possible.
We’ll talk to people who live nearby and may know the animal, the owner, and their history. We’ll also delve into public records to find out if the dog has bitten anyone before.
Do I Need to Report a Dog Bite in Roswell, GA?
Yes, it helps your case. Dog bites in the City of Roswell should get reported to two different government agencies. Report all bites to:
- The Roswell Police Department: A police officer will arrive at the scene, take witness statements and prepare an incident report. The police report is a powerful piece of evidence in your claim.
- Roswell Animal Control: Animal Control prepares reports of animal attacks. It also maintains records that may help locate the dog that bit you and show whether the dog has a history of past bites.
Reporting your dog bite can ensure that a report gets created. This report is essential, as it proves that your dog bite occurred and details what exactly happened.
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Will Reporting a Dog Bite Cause the Dog to Get Put Down?
Not usually, no. Under Georgia law, dogs have “one free bite,” meaning they won’t be penalized the first time they bite someone. However, the “one free bite” rule may not apply if a dog has a history of violent behavior or is part of a breed that’s known to be highly aggressive. Highly aggressive breeds include:
- Pit bulls
- Rottweilers
- Dog and wolf mixes
- Dogs bred specifically for fighting
Remember, although a dog getting put down is tragic, you shouldn’t let that deter you from getting the compensation you need. Dog bite injuries can leave you in a lot of financial hardship. It’s vital that you hold the dog owner accountable so that incidents like these don’t happen again.
Who Is Liable in a Dog Bite Claim in Roswell?
When a dog bites someone, the dog’s owner is always liable. Dog owners in Georgia have a legal responsibility to keep their animals under control. That might mean keeping a dog on a leash while out in public, in a crate when guests are on the property, or under close supervision in open areas or dog parks.
When a dog bites someone, the owner has failed to live up to this responsibility and must pay for the damage the dog causes. Dog owners don’t like to admit their animals could harm someone but remember that they, not you, are the ones to blame when a dog turns aggressive. A dog bite lawyer in Roswell, GA, can investigate liability in your case.
Proving Negligence in a Dog Bite Case
Even though the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-2-7 holds animal owners responsible for any damages their animals cause, that still doesn’t mean you automatically get compensation. You will have to prove negligence by showing that:
- You didn’t aggravate or provoke the dog into attacking you.
- The dog wasn’t defending itself or its owner from you.
- You weren’t trespassing on private property or committing an illegal act when you got bit.
The insurance company may try to counter your claim by saying you were doing one of the above. To prove that you weren’t, our Roswell dog bite lawyers will help you gather evidence to fight back and ensure you get fairly compensated.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover for a Dog Bite in Roswell?
You can recover all the costs of your injuries. The local courts in Roswell will typically award costs and damages for the following:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Treatment for psychological trauma caused by the attack
- Loss of pay, if you had to miss work because of the attack
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death
- Disfigurement and disability.
We don’t believe that money can ever truly compensate for the horrible trauma of an animal attack. The purpose of this money is to give you the financial stability you need to make as full of a recovery as possible.
How Much Is the Average Dog Bite Settlement Worth?
According to the Insurance Information Institute’s spotlight on dog bite liability, in 2020, the national average for dog bite settlements was around $50,000. Keep in mind that this is only a general estimation. Your dog bite settlement could be worth more or less depending on several factors unique to your case.
What If the Dog that Attacked Me Belonged to a Friend?
Always report a dog bite, no matter who owns the dog. In our long history of representing dog bite victims, we’ve noticed that people don’t like to make a fuss if a friend or family member’s dog bites them.
Our Roswell, GA, dog bite attorneys understand that you don’t want to get anyone in trouble, but we have also seen the tremendous difference it can make if you can get money to pay for your medical treatment.
Remember, you aren’t making a claim against your friend. Your claim will be a private matter between you and their insurance company. Therefore, your friend doesn’t have to pay for your injuries out of pocket.
Can I Still Win a Settlement If I Was Working on the Dog Owner’s Property?
Yes, you have the same rights as anyone else. In addition to controlling their animals, property owners have a duty to keep their premises safe for people who work there.
If a dog bites you while you are working on a dog owner’s property, you can file a dog bite claim, and you may even be able to pursue a workers compensation claim that will get you money even more quickly.
How do I Find the Best Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me?
Many law firms claim they handle dog bite cases, but few have real experience getting real results like us. Look for a lawyer who has succeeded in recovering money for dog bite victims in the past.
Make sure your dog bite lawyer in Roswell is truly interested in helping victims. You don’t want someone who takes any case they can get. And you should never have to pay money to a personal injury lawyer unless the lawyer wins you money.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites in Roswell, GA
Georgia’s statute of limitations for dog bite injuries only gives victims two years to file a claim. While that may seem like a good amount of time, don’t wait until the last minute to file.
In fact, the earlier you get started collecting your evidence and prepping your claim, the better chance you have at getting compensation from the insurance company. Don’t delay in getting one of our lawyers to assist you.
Talk to a Roswell Dog Bite Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we have over 20 years of experience getting dog bite victims the money they need to move forward with their healing process. We offer a free consultation, and we will never ask you to pay us anything unless we get you money.
Call us at (404) 400-4000 or fill out the form to your right to schedule an appointment with one of our Roswell dog bite lawyers. We are available to assist 24/7.
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