What to do about a dog bite injury
Many people wonder if a dog bite lawyer can help them after they or a loved one suffers injury due to a pitbull or other dog attack. The short answer is yes, an experienced dog bite attorney can help you after a dog bite or more severe attack. Whether it’s a sweet little toy poodle or a pitbull, dog owners have a duty to ensure their pets do not harm or injure others.
All dog owners must follow leash laws but particularly, people who own aggressive dogs. If the dog has attacked or bitten someone else in the past, the owner must take all reasonable measures to prevent the animal from harming anyone else. When a dog attack causes serious injuries, the dog’s owner may be liable for the harm caused.
When Is a Dog Owner Responsible for Injuries?
In Georgia, dog owners may be held responsible if their dog attacks or bites someone else. That said, certain elements must be met first:
- The dog must be considered dangerous or vicious
- The owner knew of the dog’s likelihood to do the type of harm that causes the injury
- The victim did another to provoke the dog attack
Under Georgia law a ‘vicious dog’ is any dog that has previously bitten or attacked a person, or the owner had other reason to believe the dog dangerous. When a leash law is in place, if the dog was not leashed, this fact may put the animal in the dangerous category, even without a previous history of attacks. There are numerous situations and circumstances that could affect your dog attack case. Georgia dog bite lawyer Kathryn Burmeister at Burmeister Law Firm have the experience and knowledge to decipher all available evidence and determine if you have a case against the dog owner.
Dog Attacks Can Cause Serious Damage, Even Death
Dog attacks, especially when they involve a large dog, can result in serious injuries and even death very quickly. In moments, a large-sized dog can rip into flesh and muscle and crush bones, which often causes severe injuries requiring extensive medical treatment. In fact, a single dog bite can result in serious infection, nerve damage, and horrible scarring. Some victims may suffer emotional trauma after a dog attack. And when a child or small adult is involved, these attacks can result in death of the victim.
It’s not uncommon for dog attack victims to know the dog’s owner. The owner may just be an acquaintance or neighbor, but is often a friend or family member. When you know the dog’s owner, especially when he or she is a friend or family member, you may have reservations about filing a lawsuit asking for compensation for your injuries. That’s completely understandable, but it’s your legal right to receive compensation if the dog owner’s negligence resulted in your injuries. Many times, homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of the claim on behalf of the dog owner.
Burmeister Law Firm represents clients who have suffered injuries from dog attacks, including death, due to owner negligence and other personal injury cases.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a dog attack, contact Burmeister Law Firm today to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation about your dog attack legal case.
