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Dog bites can happen at any time in Smyrna, leaving the victims with painful and costly injuries. Dog bite injuries can require shots, prescription medications, reconstructive surgeries, or other ongoing treatments that rack up medical bills. If you or a loved one was bitten by a dog, you should not have to pay for the costs. A dog bite and animal attack lawyer in Smyrna can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Let our dog bite lawyers at John Foy & Associates help you with your injury claim. We have been doing so for over 20 years and helping bite victims win money to recover all their costs. Our attorneys have worked on minor to the most severe cases, and we are ready for anything.
Call us today and we’ll give you a FREE consultation to discuss your options. Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation.
Dog Bites in Smyrna, GA, Can Be Incredibly Serious
Every dog bite is different, but it’s common for (even seemingly minor) bites to become serious quickly. We routinely see dog bite situations like:
- Infections
- Stitches
- Scarring
- Severe maulings
- Reconstructive surgeries
- In some situations, death
Although many dogs make great pets, those that attack can be extremely dangerous. When a dog feels threatened, instinct can take over. The dog may grab hold of the victim, pull them down, and continue holding on or attacking. This can easily become deadly.
There is the emotional side to dog bites and attacks, too. Getting bitten can lead to years (or even a lifetime) of fear of dogs or other emotional trauma. Plus, dog bite injuries can cause scarring or disfigurement that affects the victim’s confidence and quality of life.
Filing an injury claim against the dog’s owner can help you seek compensation for what was lost because of the attack. That includes medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.
Finding Out Who Owns the Dog that Bit You
After a dog bite, the owner might try to take their dog and run. Other times, the owner is nowhere to be found or the dog is a stray. Here are some ways you can try to find out more about the dog and their person.
Ask Neighbors
If the dog bite happened in a neighborhood with houses around, people who live nearby might know who the dog belongs to. You might also go door-to-door in the area where you were bitten and ask if anyone recognizes the dog.
Many dog bites occur when the owner has been negligent before, such as letting their dog roam around the neighborhood freely. Those who love around the area might have more facts about the dog.
If you work with a Smyrna dog bite lawyer, they can also help you investigate the attack and ask around for more details.
Walk Around the Area
The dog sometimes runs away after biting someone. Or, the owner tries to leave the scene quickly with the dog, hoping you’ll let it go. Walking through the area helps you look for any sign of the dog. Just make sure you’re not trespassing illegally on anyone’s property while looking.
Tell Animal Control
Contacting Cobb County Animal Services may also get you more answers regarding the dog. You should also let Animal Services know about the bite anyway, as they can make a record of what happened and possibly come collect the dog.
What if the Dog is a Stray?
The dog owner is almost always liable for the costs of a dog bite. However, if the dog is a stray, it will make seeking compensation difficult or even impossible. Don’t give up, though. You may still have some options.
A lot of times, it turns out the dog is not actually a stray after all. They may have temporarily gotten away from their owners and traveled a long way. Or, the owner might simply have been careless and let their dog roam, making it seem as if the dog has no home when they really do. Animal Services and your lawyer can help investigate and find out for sure whether or not the dog has an owner.
In some situations when there truly is no owner to hold liable, property insurance may cover some costs from the attack. It’s best to talk to your lawyer about your options before assuming there is nothing that can be done.
What to Do if Your Child Was Bitten By a Dog in Smyrna
Unfortunately, children are common victims of dog bites in Smyrna.
Children are more likely to get bitten because they are less aware of how to interact with an animal. They may think the dog is playing when they, in fact, feel threatened. Kids are also smaller and, in some situations, may seem more like prey to a dog that has vicious tendencies.
Since kids are smaller, they also tend to suffer more serious injuries from dog bites than adults. A dog bite can be incredibly traumatic to a young child, both physically and emotionally. Just like with adult victims, children who have been bitten have rights. While compensation cannot undo what happened, it can help support your family as you pay for medical bills and work to help the children recover as fully as possible.
The Dog Owner May Try to Blame You or Your Dog
Also, be aware that the dog owner may try to place some blame on you or your child. It’s natural to be defensive of their dog, but they are not immune to the law. If you were injured because their pet attacked you, they’re likely liable.
Stand firm and contact your dog bite lawyer. They can help ensure your rights are protected and you are not blamed for something you didn’t do.
Get a Free Consultation With a Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer in Smyrna
At John Foy & Associates, we can help you seek the full compensation you deserve after a dog bite in Smyrna. Over the last 20 years of working on dog bite cases, we have grown to become one of the most experienced and well-respected law firms in Georgia.
Let us give you a FREE consultation to discuss the details of your situation and how we can help. To get started today with your FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
