A dog attack can be a painful and terrifying experience. Depending on the animal’s size, its jaw may be capable of tearing through tissues, muscles and breaking bones. Recovering from your injuries may seem like an emotionally taxing, daunting experience. However, the financial recovery process does not have to be.
Kaine Law has Atlanta personal injury lawyers on staff to help you gather evidence, name the liable parties, and pursue compensation. We also handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, so we do not require upfront fees or retainers for us to start working on your case. You have nothing to lose when you team up with our personal injury firm.
We Finance Your Atlanta Dog Bite Case Until Its Conclusion
You do not have to worry about hourly rates or retainers when you partner with us. An Atlanta dog bite lawyer from our firm can work with you on a contingency-fee-basis. In this arrangement, our team gets paid from your final settlement. Until that point, we finance your case’s obligations.
You could hire our firm, win your case, and walk away with fair compensation without having to pay us out of pocket. If we cannot obtain a settlement or verdict for you, there is still no fee due. There is very little financial risk involved with Kaine Law on your side.
For a free legal consultation with a dog bite lawyer serving Atlanta, call 404-214-2001
How Our Dog Bite Lawyers in Atlanta Can Manage Your Case for You
Getting bit by a dog can turn your life upside down, possibly leading to frequent doctor’s visits, missing work, and recuperating from the discomfort and pain stemming from your injuries. You should focus on making a full recovery, so allow the personal injury attorneys at Kaine Law to champion your case on your behalf.
We can do the following for you:
Collect Evidence to Build Your Dog Bite Case
Any shred of evidence or documentation of your accident can be a huge asset to the validity of your case. If available, we will use:
- Video surveillance footage if the dog attack occurred on public property, like Piedmont Dog Park
- Photos of the dog that bit you, your bite injury, and where the attack happened
- Your related medical bills and records
- Witness testimony, whether it was from an eyewitness about their account of the accident or your physician detailing your diagnosis and/or prognosis
- The incident report from law enforcement or the property manager
- The dog’s vet records and history of previous attacks
Your personal testimony can also bolster your case. Tell us what you remember about the events leading up to, during, and after the attack.
Stay in Contact With the Liable Party’s Insurer and Other Representatives
Shortly after the dog bite incident, expect a call from the dog owner’s insurance adjuster. They may ask you for a recorded statement of your account of the dog bite incident. Give them your basic information and have them discuss the situation further with your lawyer.
Insurance companies are known for employing tactics that help them keep their bottom line.
For example, they may:
- Claim that you provoked the dog that bit you
- Say your injuries were superficial
- Refuse to pay out your claim
Our injury attorneys are familiar with these techniques, so allow them to shoulder the burden of emails, phone calls, and letters with insurance companies, attorneys, and other involved parties for you.
Negotiate an Appropriate Settlement
Your lawyer will assess your losses and evaluate them according to how they have affected you physically, emotionally, and financially. Then, they will request the final amount from the liable party’s insurer. If the other party doesn’t offer you a fair settlement, we would negotiate until we come to an agreed-upon figure.
Our firm settles most cases without proceeding to trial. However, if we don’t reach such a conclusion in your case, our attorneys are prepared to represent you in court to continue the fight for fair compensation.
We Can Recover Compensation for Your Losses After a Dog Bite in Atlanta, GA
Dog bites result in more than just medical bills; they can also result in pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and permanent disfigurement. While we cannot speak to the value of your case just yet, our lawyers can provide you with information about what losses you can recover.
An Atlanta dog bite attorney from our team can do the following for you:
- Past, present, and anticipated medical care expenses, including emergency room visits, surgery, pain medications, diagnostic assessments, and follow-up care
- Lost income, including tips, commissions, vacation time, bonuses, salary, or hourly pay
- Loss of future earning capacity, including lost promotions or the difference in pay if you need to work a job that doesn’t pay as much as your previous one
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience, including the pain or discomfort that the dog bite injury has caused you
- Scarring and disfigurement, if the dog bite injury has altered your appearance or restricted your mobility
- Mental anguish, if the dog bite incident was traumatic and you suffered mental health issues like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or insomnia
- Disability, if the dog bite led to you to suffer a physical impairment
- Reduced quality of life, if your dog bite injury keeps you from going about your routine and doing your favorite activities
Some dog bites can even prove fatal. You could have lost a loved one immediately after a dog attacked them or because of health complications they suffered afterward. If you are eligible to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit, your recoverable damages could include funeral expenses, end-of-life healthcare expenses, and pain and suffering.
Comparative Negligence Laws in Georgia May Apply to Your Dog Bite Case
Georgia operates under a comparative negligence doctrine imposed by O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. If the court finds that a victim contributes to their own injuries, then the court assigns a percentage of fault to the victim.
Don’t worry, though. You still may be able to collect damages for your injuries if you find yourself in this situation. The court would reduce your compensation by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 40% responsible for your injuries, you will be entitled to collect 60% of your damages.
You Must Abide by Georgia’s Two-Year Deadline After a Dog Bite in Atlanta
In general, you have two years from the date of your dog bite accident or loved one’s passing to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Atlanta, per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Yet, this deadline might not apply to your situation. For instance, if a dog bit you in your childhood, you could be granted additional time from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit.
This deadline could also differ if you are suing the government. For instance, a government entity could be responsible for your losses if a stray dog that animal control did not capture bit you. In this case, you could have six months to file a claim against the relevant municipality under O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5.
You do not need to juggle these deadlines with our team on your side, though. We will determine how Georgia’s state laws apply to your situation and navigate them accordingly. However, we need to know about your case right away to comply with the deadline. If we are too late, then the court may refuse to hear your case. This would place the burden of paying your damages onto you.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
We Have Recovered Millions of Dollars for Our Georgia Clients
Kaine Law is pleased to share that we have recovered millions of dollars in losses in the many years we have served injured people. One of our case results even includes winning $700,000 for a dog bite victim.
That is just one of our previous outcomes. We have the resources, creative problem-solving skills, and determination to win your case. Our past clients can attest to our dedication. Take a look:
- “My Kaine Law experience was great, they were perceptive with the whole process, understanding, and patient with me. I highly recommend this group for legal advice and help! They walked me through every step, kept me informed for each process. I wouldn’t go anywhere else…” – D.
- “Evan was a great attorney for me… We stayed in contact from the beginning to end. He is very accessible… I know he worked really hard for me and went out of his way to get me the best possible results. I’ve already referred 2 people to him…” – Darius M.
- “I want to thank Kaine Law for helping me out on my case. They treated me like family. If I or anyone else I know needs help I’ll be coming and or referring them over to Kaine Law…” – Carlos A.
Our team is ready to discuss your dog bite accident and explore your options for seeking a financial recovery. We will take a personalized approach geared towards figuring out your unique needs.
How Can Our Law Firm Prove Your Atlanta Dog Bite Case?
To prove you deserve compensation, we must establish liability. Our lawyers can help you accomplish this task by proving that the dog’s owner was negligent. However, we must first identify what kind of dog attacked you. Under O.C.G.A. § 4-8-21:
- A dangerous dog: Has punctured someone’s skin but did not cause severe injury, has aggressively attacked someone in a way that raised reasonable concern for a severe injury, or has killed another pet animal on its owner’s land
- A vicious dog: Has caused someone to sustain serious injuries or has killed someone. O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7 details the laws that vicious or dangerous dog owners must follow. As such, they have a responsibility to keep their animals restrained, on leashes, and away from the public, especially if they are designated as “vicious.” If we find that these pet owners failed to abide by the rules, they could have caused your injuries. This would lead us to prove their negligence.
For example, if the dog was deemed vicious, our dog bite attorneys would paint a picture of the accident scene that would display:
- Duty of care: Knowing that the dog was vicious, the dog owner should have restrained the dog.
- Breach of duty: The dog owner failed to restrain their dog on a leash or failed to keep it secluded from the public.
- Causation: The dog bit or attacked you, causing your injuries.
- Damages: The injuries you sustained led to your non-financial and financial losses.
According to the City of Atlanta, all dog owners should keep their dogs restrained on a leash in parks, trails, and public property. After all, dogs are animals, and even when unprovoked, they can still attack. Still, Georgia’s dog bite laws can be complex. Our team can help you navigate them, though.
What If You Don’t Know Who the Dog Owner is?
We must identify who the dog owner is in your personal injury case, as they will be the one who owes you compensation. If we don’t know who this person is, our team will investigate further. Our team might find that they are:
- A landowner, if they failed to keep their premises safe by secluding the dog from the public
- A business owner, if a guard dog attacked you or a dog escaped from a kennel
- The city, if a police or stray dog attacked you
You can count on our Atlanta legal team to explore all avenues to find the liable party and determine your options for dog bite compensation.
Injuries That You Could Sustain After a Dog Bite
If a dog bit you, you could have suffered these types of injuries:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Puncture wounds
- Facial or eye injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Head or neck injuries
At first, a dog bite injury may appear to be mild and only need over-the-counter medicine, first aid, and time to heal. However, these injuries may worsen over time if not treated right away. They could even cause serious infections. Healthline explains that if you experience the following symptoms for more than 24 hours, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, as they might be indicative of an infection:
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Pus or fluid leaking from the wound
- Redness or swelling in the area
- Trouble breathing
- Chills or fever
- Loss of sensation or tenderness around the bite marks
- Tremors or muscle weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes
Waiting too long could lead to long-lasting, sometimes permanent, complications.
Recommendations After a Bite From an Aggressive Dog
Suffering a dog attack can cause physical and emotional trauma. Below is information on what you should do if a dog attacks you and causes injuries:
Seek Prompt Medical Help
Any time you suffer an injury, your health should always be your first concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that dog bites can lead to many infections if not managed properly. Some of these diseases include rabies or MRSA.
While visiting your healthcare provider, be sure to collect:
- The dates of future follow-up appointments
- The types of medications you were prescribed
- The names of your healthcare providers
- The time and date that you received care
- Your medical bills
Proving the dog bite in question harmed you is crucial to the overall success of your personal injury claim. That is, the sooner you get medical treatment, the easier it is to link the dog bite to your injuries. If you let several weeks go by and don’t see a doctor, the insurance company may be less inclined to award a settlement.
For example, the adjuster might try to blame your injuries on something else, claim that you made them worse since you didn’t get help in time, or they weren’t serious enough for you to seek medical care.
Follow Your Treatment Plan Accordingly
You must adhere to your doctor’s orders precisely. So, take your medicine and follow up with your doctor regularly. Your doctor will release you from their care when they believe you are well enough to return to your previous routine.
If you think you don’t need your treatment to be as long or intensive as your doctor has prescribed, consult them and address your concerns. If you agree to end your regimen earlier, get a statement from them in writing.
If you go against your doctor’s plan for you, especially without their knowledge:
- You risk your condition getting worse (e.g., the dog bite wound getting reinfected).
- The liable dog owner’s insurance company may claim that your dog bite injuries weren’t as bad as you made them out to be, leading them to depreciate the value of your claim or refuse to pay your damages.
Write a Daily Journal About Your New Routine Since the Dog Bite Accident
We encourage you to keep detailing how your life has changed since the dog bit you. Write down things like:
- How you’re feeling mentally (e.g., if you have developed a phobia towards dogs or other animals)
- How painful your dog bite injury is
- How you treat your injury (e.g., when you take your medication, the dose, etc.)
- If you are physical capabilities are limited
Every detail matters, no matter how seemingly small it may be. It will paint a picture that will show that the dog bite has led you to make adjustments to your life.
Refrain from Posting About Your Dog Bite Injury on Social Media
Understandably, you want to update your status on social media to share your dog bite experience and warn your friends and family about possible attacks. However, to help protect the value of your case, it would be best for you to keep these details (and even posts unrelated to the accident) offline.
The liable insurer could gain access to your account – even if the account is private. Then, they may try to find a way to devalue your insurance claim or deny it altogether.
Please wait until your injury case is over until you start posting on social media again.
Take Down the Names of Witnesses
Another important step after a dog attack is to gather contact information from witnesses and the dog’s owner. Do not worry about collecting statements; your dog bite accident lawyer serving Atlanta can do that for you.
Take Photographs of the Location of the Attack Scene and Your Dog Bite Injuries
You should take photographs of the bite, the dog, and the area of the attack, if possible. You should also take pictures of your injuries as they heal. We can show these photos to the insurer and establish that you were hurt. They can even serve as valuable evidence at trial.
File an Incident Report with Local Law Enforcement
Lastly, you should file a dangerous animal report with the local animal control agency or the Atlanta Police Department, as it will create a record of what happened.
Information About Dog Bites Throughout Atlanta and the Country
Children and seniors are more likely to get hurt by dogs than any other age demographic. Studies have shown that children under age 12 are the victims of approximately half of all dog attacks every year.
Here are the facts about dog bite injuries:
- Dogs bite approximately 4.7 million people every year.
- Only about 17% of dog bites are reported.
- Almost 800,000 dog bites require medical attention every year.
Dog bites have even victimized Atlanta residents. 11 Alive reported that in August 2021, a two-year-old girl was attacked by her neighbor’s dogs. She suffered infections and had to have several surgeries, which resulted in her staying in the hospital for several weeks.
If you or a loved one was in a similar situation, Kaine Law is here to help you.
Connect With Our Team in Atlanta, GA, After a Dog Bite Accident
Over the past several decades, the personal injury lawyers at Kaine Law have been advocating for the rights of Georgians who’ve been injured due to another person’s negligence. Now, we are ready to help you navigate the financial recovery process.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries that affect every aspect of your life. It all starts with a simple, no-obligation phone call. To discuss your case at no cost or risk to you, get in touch with us today.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
