Woodstock Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bites can be incredibly serious, even deadly, in Woodstock. On top of the physical injuries that a victim endures, dog attacks can lead to lifelong fears or emotional trauma—especially in small children. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog, calling a dog bite and animal attack lawyer in Woodstock is one of the best decisions you can make.

Our dog bite lawyers at John Foy & Associates have been helping victims for over 25 years. We have one goal: getting you the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and other damages. We’d love to give you a FREE consultation to discuss your case and how we can help. Call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get your FREE consultation.

Georgia Dog Bite Laws in Woodstock

Georgia has strict laws on liability for injuries to a person. To have a case when it comes to dog bites that injury a person, three conditions must exist:

1. The Dog Must Be Considered “Dangerous” or “Vicious”

This might mean there is evidence the dog has bitten someone in the past. However, it can also be as simple as demonstrating the dog should have been leashed (in accordance with Woodstock city ordinance).

2. The Dog Owner Must Have Been Careless

All people in Woodstock have a legal duty to act in a way that does not injure others. This goes for dog owners, too.

Owners are responsible for the actions of their dogs, especially if they are deemed vicious or dangerous. If the animal bites someone because of “careless management” or letting their dog run free, the owner may be liable for damages to the victim (Georgia Code section 51-2-7)

3. You Must Not Have Provoked the Dog

Thirdly, the injury victim must not have provoked the dog in a way that causes it to attack them. This rarely happens, but it’s common for dog owners to say a victim caused the bite to happen, especially when the victim is a young child.

What to Do If a Dog Bites You in Woodstock, GA

After a dog bite in Woodstock, it’s vital to begin legally protecting yourself.

Dog bite victims are hardly ever found at fault for a bite. The owner is usually responsible. However, you will need to demonstrate that the bite happened, the owner is liable, and that you did not provoke the dog. You will need to do this by filing a personal injury claim with the dog owner’s insurance company.

You can begin gathering evidence and building your claim as soon as possible after the dog happens. Here are some things that you can do.

Get Medical Attention

Dog bites can lead to very serious injuries. Some victims require reconstructive surgeries or years of therapy to recover from what happened. Even if the bite doesn’t seem incredibly severe at first, it can lead to infection or worsen with time.

If your injuries at the scene are life-threatening, call an ambulance or have some take you to the emergency room right away. On the other hand, if you are well enough to stay at the scene and collect evidence, you should still get to a doctor as soon as possible.

Gather Information About the Dog

Sometimes, the dog owner is at the scene during a dog bite. (Although, it’s more common for the owner to be nowhere to found.) If the owner is present, ask them about the dog. Find out if the dog is up to date on their shots. If the answer is “no,” you will need to tell your doctor immediately in case you need a rabies prevention shot or some other special treatment.

Also, find out if the dog has had a history of violence or vicious behavior before. If you were bitten in a neighborhood, people nearby might also recognize the dog and know whether it has been aggressive in the past.

Finally, if the owner is not present and you can’t find out anything else about the dog at the scene, Animal Control might have information on the dog. In Woodstock, animal control services are handled by the Cherokee County Marshal’s Office’s Animal Control Division.

Take Pictures

Try to get a pictures of the dog. Also, take photos of your injuries and location where the dog bite happened. Pictures help preserve and set the scene, which can be very helpful in your injury claim.

Talk to Witnesses

If other people saw the bite happen, talk to them and ask what they saw. Get their names and contact information. Again, if they live in the area where the bite happened, they might be able to give you more information about the dog and the owner.

Report the Dog Bite

Make sure you report that the dog bite happened. Contact the police or Cherokee County Animal Control and tell them about the bite. Animal Control may need to come and gather the dog if it is roaming free and may hurt other people.

Contact a Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer

Make sure you get an attorney on the phone as soon as you can. It’s best to get a professional’s opinion on how you can legally protect yourself. If you experience pushback from the dog’s owner or their insurance company, having a lawyer on your side makes all the difference.

At John Foy & Associates, there is no fee to work with us unless we win you money. Plus, the consultation is FREE. Call (404) 400-4000 for your free consultation.

You Might Have Trouble Finding the Dog’s Owner

In our experience, dog owners in Woodstock are hesitant to take the blame for a bite—and they might hide after a bite. They might be worried about the legal consequences for themselves, but most are concerned that admitting blame will put their dog at risk of being put down.

Ask around and contacting a dog bite lawyer can help you identify the owner. We have investigators who can go to the scene and investigate. Also, thankfully, most dog bite attacks do not result in the animal being put down unless there is a clear history of vicious behavior.

Talk to a Dog Bite and Animal Attack Lawyer in Woodstock, GA for Free Today

At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping dog bite victims win the money they need to recover for over 25 years. You should not have to pay for injuries that result from a dog owner’s negligence. Let us help you build a strong claim for the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation. We’ll discuss your case and how we can help—at no risk to you.