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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States annually. Of those bites, around 800,000 of them resulted in medical care, meaning they were severe injuries.
Due to the fact that the majority of these cases involve children, these situations may be extremely distressing, compounded by the fact that navigating through Georgia’s dog bite law is a very tedious and difficult process.
If a dog bites you, it is vital that you consult with an experienced lawyer quickly. Whether the bite was from a neighbor’s family pet or a stray, there are many factors to consider when dealing with such an injury and seeking compensation for your pain and suffering.
What Constitutes a Dog Bite Case?
A dog bite case is not as simple as it may seem. For an injury to be classified as a “dog bite,” the animal must have made physical contact with the person, and that contact must have been severe enough to break the skin. Minor nips or scratches typically do not count, but if a significant amount of flesh is torn or ripped away, the victim may have a valid case.
Hostility is Not Necessary
A dog doesn’t need to be overtly hostile or vicious for its owner to be held liable. If it can be proven that the pet was allowed to run loose and posed a danger to people in the area, the owner can be held responsible for any injuries that resulted.
What if it’s a Small Bite and it Got Infected?
Even if the injury was not severe enough to require medical treatment, you might still have a case. Most dog bite cases are litigated by proving that the animal’s owner failed in their duty of care.
Simply allowing your pet to roam freely can be seen as negligence on their part, and compensation for any resulting injuries is typically awarded accordingly. So, be sure to document all injuries where the dog bit you, including taking photos of the site.
What Do I Do Next?
The Washington, Dreyer & Associates Injury Attorneys have decades of experience dealing with dog bite cases and know how to get you the best possible outcome. We understand that this may be a difficult time for you, and we will do everything we can to make the process as smooth as possible.
Contact the Dog Bite Attorneys at the Washington, Dreyer & Associates Law Firm Today
As mentioned, those who a dog has bitten should seek legal counsel as soon as possible. The sooner you act, the better your chances are for proving that the owner was negligent in allowing their pet to wander free.
If you live in Atlanta, GA, and need legal help after being injured by a dog, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Dog Bite Attorneys at Washington, Dreyer & Associates at 404.975.2485 to speak to us today!