According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year. About 800,000 of those people seek medical care. In Villa Rica, dog bites can happen at any time, leaving victims with painful injuries and emotional traumas. If you or a loved one was bitten, it’s time to talk to a dog bite and animal attack lawyer in Villa Rica.
John Foy & Associates has been representing dog bite victims and their families for over two decades. Our goal is to get you the fullest compensation possible after a dog bite attack. To get started with a FREE consultation, call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
How Dog Owner Liability Works After a Bite in Villa Rica
In Georgia, the dog owner is responsible for any vicious actions their dog commits. Georgia Code section 51-2-7, a person is liable for injuries that result from the “careless management” of a vicious or dangerous animal. The dog owner can also be responsible if the animal is allowed “to go at liberty.”
After a dog bite, you will need to file a personal injury claim with the dog owner’s insurance company for compensation. In your claim, you will need to show that:
- The dog was required to be on a leash or at the owner’s side (based on city or county ordinances) and
- The dog was not at the owner’s heel or leashed when the dog bite occurred
Villa Rica is located in both Carrol and Douglas counties, so the exact laws may depend on dog bite ordinances in these counties. A dog bite and animal attack lawyer can help you look at the requirements for your specific location.
In any location, the dog owner is required to maintain control of their dog. If they fail in that duty and someone gets bitten by their dog, the owner is liable for damages.
Damages You Can Recover After a Dog Bite or Animal Attack
As an injury victim in Villa Rica, you have the legal right to seek compensation for all your damages. Those include the following.
Medical Costs
Dog bites can be especially costly. Well-trained and -behaved dogs can live peaceful with their owners and other humans. However, when a dog feels threatened or is vicious in nature, they may attack with full force, latching on and doing a lot of damage. For this reason, medical expenses can be catastrophic after a dog bite.
Medical costs you can recover include:
- Medical bills
- Hospital stays
- Doctor visits
- Prescription medications
- Surgeries
- Physical rehabilitation
- And more
Psychological Treatment
Any injury accident can leave a victim with emotional damages, but it’s especially common in a dog bite. Seeing a large animal run towards you and sustaining painful bites can leave a victim with years of trauma, especially in children.
Emotional trauma from a dog bite falls under the category of “pain and suffering” damages. You may be able to recover for pain and suffering if it results from a physical injury. A Villa Rica dog bite and animal attack lawyer can help prove these damages.
Lost Wages
Adults who are bitten by a dog will likely need to miss work time. You have the right to include lost wages in your claim. You’ll need to produce evidence of what you were making before the accident as well as how your income has changed.
To know the full extent of your damages, you will need to calculate the value of your claim. This is difficult to do accurately without legal expertise, so it’s best to contact a dog bite lawyer as soon as possible.
Make Sure You File Your Dog Bite Claim Before the Deadline
In Villa Rica, you only have a certain amount of time to file an injury claim. The statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of the accident. Although this might seem like plenty of time, it can go by quickly. There are various steps along the way you will need to complete for a successful case.
It’s best to reach out to a dog bite and animal attack lawyer right away after the bite. You and your lawyer can discuss the dog bite, your damages, and what it takes to fight for your rights. With an experienced lawyer, you won’t have to stress about the details alone. You can focus on recovering from your injuries while your lawyer handles your case.
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What to Do After a Dog Bite in Villa Rica, GA
You can begin building your case as soon as possible after the bite happens. First, it’s vital that you get any emergency medical treatment right away. If you have serious or life-threatening injuries, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room.
Otherwise, if you are well enough to stay at the scene, you can:
- Try to find the dog’s owner and ask questions (such as whether or not the dog has its shots and if the dog has had a vicious history)
- Report the dog bite to Animal Control
- Talk to any witnesses and get their contact information
- Take pictures of the dog (if you can), your injuries, and the entire scene of the bite
When you work with a dog bite lawyer, they can also send investigators to the scene to gather information. That includes helping you find out the identity of the dog’s owner.
Talk to a Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer in Villa Rica, GA for Free Today
Most lawyers will say they take dog bite cases, but you want a legal professional with a long and successful track record. At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping dog bite victims win the money they need for over two decades. We work exclusively for injury victims, and we’re not afraid to stand up to greedy insurance companies.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation to discuss the details of your case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation.
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