A dog bite can upend your day, your health, and your finances. If a dog injured you or your child while in Memorial Park, Sandy Creek Park, or in your neighborhood, you deserve clear guidance and fast help. At Kaine Law, we listen to your story, answer your questions, and map out next steps. We keep the claim process as easy and stress-free as possible, so that you can focus on medical care and family while our dog bite attorneys in Athens, Georgia, handle the legal work.
Call us today for your free case consultation, and learn how the Athens personal injury lawyers at our law firm can help you and your family recover.
How Georgia Statutes and Athens Ordinances May Affect Your Dog Bite Claim
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, dog owners are responsible when they allow a dangerous animal to cause harm. O.C.G.A. § 4-8-21 further defines who is an “owner” and how the law classifies dogs. These laws make an owner liable when they are aware a dog is vicious or dangerous and manage it carelessly or let it run at large.
Athens-Clarke County Code § 4-1-2 requires owners to keep domestic animals under control:
- On a leash when off the owner’s property
- Attended on the owner’s property
- In a vehicle’s passenger area
- Confined within property limits
Violations of Georgia laws can support your civil claim. We can gather proof that the owner knew or should have known about the risk, or that the owner violated local control rules. We build a record to establish negligence and liability under Georgia law and Athens ordinances.
You should also know that O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 typically gives you two years from the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss that deadline and you lose the right to pursue damages in court. Plus, certain exceptions can change that deadline, such as claims on behalf of minors.
We review your facts, confirm the correct deadline, and file on time. Early contact helps us secure evidence, track healing, and calculate future care before the window closes.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Athens, call 404-214-2001
Common Dog Bite Injuries and Why They Matter
Dog attacks range from quick nips to severe maulings resulting in catastrophic injuries. We routinely see:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Crush injuries and fractures
- Nerve damage, which causes numbness, weakness, or chronic pain
- Facial injuries, especially in children, causing scars
- Infections, such as cellulitis, tetanus, and possibly even rabies
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD
These injuries affect victims and their families. For children, parents may juggle ER visits at Piedmont Athens Regional or St. Mary’s Hospital, follow-up appointments, missed shifts, and childcare.
We document every cost, symptom, and limitation to support your demand for full compensation.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me 404-214-2001
How We Help You and Your Family
We shoulder the legal work while you treat and heal. Here’s how we approach Athens dog bite claims:
Perform a Thorough Investigation for a Robust Claim
We visit the scene, pull surveillance if available, contact neighbors, and request prior complaints through open records. We identify ordinance violations, leash issues, and notice of dangerous behavior.
We help you build a record that insurers must take seriously, with such evidence as the following:
- Immediate photos of wounds and swelling, plus day-by-day healing progress
- Scene photos that show broken gates, open doors, or a lack of restraints
- Witness accounts from neighbors or bystanders
- Official reports from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) and Athens-Clarke County Animal Services
- Medical records that tie symptoms to the bite and outline care needs
- Employment records that show missed time or work limitations
We assemble this evidence to prove negligence under Georgia law and Athens ordinances:
- Duty of care: The dog owner has a legal obligation to control their dangerous pet.
- Breach of duty: Through their inaction, the dog was not under control.
- Causation: The dog attacked you and caused injuries.
- Damages: You suffered physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial losses.
Then, we deal with the insurers on your behalf.
Negotiate or Litigate Your Recovery
Our goal is to obtain the best possible settlement for you. Most dog bite claims involve homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. We notify the carrier, present your damages, and negotiate. We do not let insurance adjusters minimize injuries or delay the process. If the carrier refuses a fair settlement, we file suit and pursue your case in the appropriate Clarke County court. Our goal is compensation that covers your care, time away from work, and long-term effects without unnecessary stress on you.
Provide a Stress-Free Experience to Facilitate Your Recovery
At Kaine Law, we focus on personal injury cases. Our team brings more than two decades of collective experience in personal injury law to dog bite matters. We understand how to help you and your family file a successful personal injury claim.
Our contract includes a no-fee guarantee: you owe nothing unless we obtain compensation for you. We care about your recovery, financially, emotionally, and physically, and we shape our strategy around those needs.
Click to contact our lawyers today
Compensation Available in an Athens Dog Bite Case
A settlement or verdict of your dog bite accident should reflect the full scope of your losses. Our lawyers pursue such damages as:
- Medical bills and future care: ER treatment, sutures, imaging, antibiotics, plastic surgery, physical therapy, and counseling
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity: Missed hours, lost contracts, or job changes when injuries limit your duties
- Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, sleep disruption, and daily limitations
- Scarring and disfigurement: Photos of your recovery and surgeons’ opinions to support valuation
- Out-of-pocket expenses: From dressings, scar care products, transportation to follow-ups, and childcare during appointments
We package those records and costs, show how the attack disrupted your work, and push for compensation that covers both the financial hardships, emotional distress, and physical recovery.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Why Choose Kaine Law for an Athens Dog Bite Case
We keep our focus on you and your family. We listen patiently and give personalized attention from the first call through resolution. We take over insurer communications, organize records, and prepare your claim for negotiation or trial. We fight for victims and families across Athens and Clarke County.
We also bring measurable credentials to your case:
- Attorney Evan Kaine has qualified for the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Super Lawyers recognized our firm in 2023
We do the day-to-day work that moves a case. We’ll keep you updated throughout the legal process, answer questions in plain language, and align settlement goals with your medical and financial reality.
What to Do After a Dog Bite in Athens
Your first actions after a dog attack should be to protect your health and your claim. We suggest you take the following actions if your injuries allow:
- Get medical care now: Visit Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center or St. Mary’s Hospital for evaluation and treatment. Ask about infection risk, rabies protocols, and follow-up care.
- Report the incident: Call 911 for ACCPD or Athens-Clarke County Animal Control. Request the incident number so that you can get a police report on the attack.
- Document everything that you can: Photograph injuries, torn clothing, blood on the scene, and any broken fencing or gates. Save receipts and discharge summaries.
- Collect information from the owner and on the dog: Ask for the owner’s contact and insurance information. Ask for a copy of the dog’s vaccination records. And take notes of the attack and where it took place.
- Identify witnesses: Write down names and contact details. Ask witnesses to note what they saw in their own words.
- Call Kaine Law: We start your claim, protect your rights, and manage communications with insurers. We handle paperwork so you can focus on your recovery.
We provide easy, stress-free claim filing. We track deadlines, coordinate medical records, and field insurer calls, which helps you avoid mistakes that reduce claim value.
Connect With Our Athens Dog Bite Lawyers Today
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Kaine Law stands with dog bite victims and families across Athens. We listen, investigate, and manage your claim from start to finish. We keep the process simple so you can focus on healing and family.
Call now for your free case consultation. Tell us what happened, learn your rights. Let our team start your claim on the right track. We want to see you recover.
Athens Dog Bite FAQs
Who pays for my medical bills after a dog bite in Athens?
The dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s policy usually covers the claim. We identify the correct carrier, open the claim, and pursue payment. If insurance won’t resolve the claim fairly, we file suit within the deadline.
What if the owner is a neighbor or family member?
You still have options. Insurance often handles payment, not the person you know. We approach these cases with care, protect your relationships where possible, and still pursue a full and fair outcome.
Do I need to report the bite to the county?
Yes. Reporting to Athens-Clarke County Animal Control and ACCPD creates official documentation and helps public safety. The report also supports your claim by confirming time, location, and dog ownership.
Will I have to go to court?
Not always. Many claims are resolved through negotiation. If the insurer resists, we file and prepare for court. We explain every step, set expectations, and make recommendations based on the facts and the law.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
