Georgia Dog Bite Laws
Georgia is one of the top ten states with the most number of dog bite claims every year. The state of Georgia protects individuals who have been injured by an animal by holding the owners liable for any injuries caused by their animals, such as dogs. If an owner allows their animal to roam in public areas or on your property, was careless in controlling their animal, or violated a local ordinance, you may be able to file a claim against the owner for compensation for your injuries. Some areas, such as LaGrange and Lawrenceville, have special restrictions in place for dogs that are considered dangerous to protect residents from being attacked by an aggressive animal.
Dog bites can happen anywhere and oftentimes can leave individuals with serious injuries and hefty medical bills. If you’ve been injured by a dog bite, you may be entitled to file a dog bite lawsuit in the state of Georgia and receive compensation for your expenses.
Here’s what you should do if you have been bitten or attacked by a dog in the state of Georgia:
Seek Medical Help
More important than anything is seeking medical attention if the dog bite injury is severe. If the injury is severe, visit a local emergency clinic to receive the treatment you need. For smaller and less severe injuries, treat the wounds at home and talk with your local doctor to determine your risks of infections. Dog bites can easily become infected, especially if the dog has not been given the vaccinations it needs. Be sure to seek medical help to ensure that you are safe and to prevent the risk of larger infections.
Identify The Owner Of The Dog
Identifying the owner of the dog is another important step after being injured by a dog. If you do not need immediate medical attention, you should immediately identify who is the owner of the dog, or who had custody of the dog when it bit you. You’ll need to obtain their full name, address, proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination. This information will be used later when filing a lawsuit and will also determine if you need to receive a rabies shot yourself.
Document Your Injuries
Before your injuries are fully healed, be sure to take a picture of the area where you were bitten or attacked. Consult with your doctor if you need to remove any bandages to take an accurate picture of the wounds. Also, take pictures of any torn or bloody clothing or other areas of bruising and injury related to the attack. These pictures are important to provide accurate evidence of the extent of the injuries and to further prove the legitimacy of your dog bite claims.
File a Dog Bite Report
Once you have been medically treated for your injuries and you have obtained the information of the owner of the dog, you’ll need to file a dog bite report with your local city or county authorities. Similar to filing a police report after a car accident, filing a dog bite report legally documents your case and will help during the legal process of a dog bite lawsuit. Filing a dog bite report also helps local officials to determine if the dog is too dangerous to be living in the area, or if the owner should be fined for illegal dog activities.
Obtain Any Records of The Dog’s History
Some dogs have already been recorded for previous dog bite incidents, and may also have been marked as “potentially dangerous” by local authorities. Try and obtain any information that you can about the history of the dog, if it has bitten or attacked someone before, and if the owner has responsibly taken care of the dog as required by local laws or ordinances.
Contact a Georgia Dog Bite Attorney
If you have been seriously injured by the negligent behavior of a dog owner, you have the legal right to receive compensation for your injuries. Unfortunately, dog bite lawsuits can be complicated, and it can be difficult to understand the best way to fight for your full compensation without the help of an experienced attorney. A dog bite attorney, or a personal injury attorney, can help you to file a dog bite lawsuit in Georgia and receive the full and fair compensation that you deserve.