LaGrange Dog Bite Lawyer

In Georgia, over 500 dog bite claims are filed every year. Suffering a dog bite attack can leave you grappling with deep emotional, mental and physical scars. A dog bite lawyer in LaGrange at Moffitt Law, LLC, can help lift some of the burden as you struggle to cope with these hurdles.

What Are Georgia’s Dog Bite Laws?

Georgia relies on a modified one-bite rule to give dog bite victims more flexibility when it comes to proving the danger of a dog. In short: A dog owner is liable for the bite if they knew that the dog was vicious. Under this law, a dog can be deemed “vicious” for several reasons, including if it causes:

• Severe injury to a person via biting
• Severe injury by mauling a person
• Injury to a victim trying to escape an attack (e.g., it attacks a victim who fell while running away)

In this context, a severe injury can involve lacerations that need stitches, broken bones or any injury that requires hospitalization or puts the victim at risk of dying.

A LaGrange dog bite lawyer from Moffitt Law, LLC, can help prove these points in court, ensuring the dog owner remains liable for the actions of their pet.

Why Do Dogs Bite?

While it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact reason for a bite attack in some cases, there are a few commonalities among dog bite incidents. For one, dogs often attack if they are overstimulated or stressed.

A stressed dog can bite in perceived self-defense of itself, its territory or its puppies, even if a victim doesn’t intend it any harm. Dogs can bite when startled or afraid, and they may also bite when sick or feeling unwell.

An overly excited dog may engage in play that’s too rough for a human, too. Nips and bites that would be admissible to another dog can cause serious damage to a human.

Note that most dog bite attacks happen with dogs that the victim is familiar with, such as their own dog or the dog of a relative or friend. It’s much rarer for a stranger’s dog or a stray dog to bite someone unprovoked, though it does happen.

What Injuries May Victims Receive in Dog Attacks?

Victims unfortunately can suffer a myriad of injuries in dog bite attacks, with these injuries often having life-altering impacts. A victim will certainly suffer from physical injuries, but they’re equally likely to suffer from mental ones, too.

Physical injuries

Serious physical injuries are common in dog attacks and can include:

• Laceration and scarring that requires reconstructive surgery
• Deep gouges or lacerations that damage nerves
• Broken bones
• Damaged or punctured organs

Dogs most often bite the hands, arms, face and neck. Victims can suffer from loss of mobility in the limbs if the ligament and muscle end up torn. Bites to the neck are especially harmful due to the arteries on either side, which can cause immediate and rapid blood loss.

Infection is another major concern with dog bites. A dog’s mouth isn’t the cleanest place, harboring dozens of strains of harmful bacteria. When a dog bites through someone’s epidermis, the teeth can inject that bacteria directly into the bloodstream. This may lead to a condition called sepsis, a serious infection of the blood with a high fatality rate.

This is why dog bite victims must seek medical help immediately. A doctor can do a full damage assessment and administer any medical care needed.

Mental and emotional injuries

Of course, being mauled or bitten by any animal is a terrifying and horrific experience, even if the animal is a familiar one. Victims experience a loss of control, the inability to defend themselves and the physical pain of the attack.

It’s not uncommon for victims of severe dog bite attacks to develop anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. Some develop a phobia of dogs, making it difficult or impossible for them to interact with canines without panicking. In addition to seeing a medical professional, seeing a therapist or other mental health professional can go a long way toward healing.

What If the Insurance Company Denies a Dog Bite Claim?

Unfortunately, seeking medical help and looking into therapy often comes with a hefty price tag. This is why many dog bite victims seek compensation from the dog’s owner.

There are some cases where an insurance company may deny a dog bite claim, though. Even if they don’t outright deny the claim, they could attempt to get a victim to accept less compensation than they’re rightfully owed.

If you find yourself in this situation, our dog attack lawyer in LaGrange may be able to help. Our injury attorneys know the ins and outs of dog bite claims. We can help you deal with insurance companies, which are always striving to save as much money as they possibly can, even at the expense of victims.

How Can You Protect Your Dog Bite Claim?

To protect your claim, you should be doing everything in your power to maximize its strength in the court’s eyes. This includes:

• Seeking medical treatment right away
• Gathering evidence of the event, including witness testimony
• Notify the authorities, such as Animal Control or the police
• Research dog bite laws in your area
• Take care when speaking to the adjuster

Get Help From a Dog Bite Lawyer

Our dog bite attorney in LaGrange, GA can help make your situation right again. At Moffitt Law, LLC, we have deep knowledge of dog bite laws in Georgia. We want to take the legal issues off of your plate so you can focus on healing and recovering from the attack.

On top of that, it’s always a good idea to have someone in your corner when you’re dealing with insurance companies. Adjusters will always start with the lowest offer they can manage. To combat that, you need to know the true value of your claim and have the ability to negotiate so you can achieve it.

Together, our lawyers can help you get the most out of your dog bite claim. With that, you can start forward on the path toward healing and recovery. To begin, contact us through our website.