Dog bites are more severe than many people realize, especially for elderly and young victims. While a dog bite may initially only require stitches or surgery, that could be the beginning of ongoing health problems, including infection or disease. If you or someone you love has been bitten by a dog, consider taking legal action. You can seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries so you don’t have to bear the costs of recovery on your own. Speak with Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys to understand your options.
What Should I Do If a Dog Bit Me in Athens?
These are a few steps you need to take after being bitten by a dog:
- Call emergency services: If you or another victim is seriously injured, call 911. Immediate medical assistance may be needed to save the victim’s life.
- Stabilize the wound: For a less serious injury, stabilize it and avoid applying anything to the wound that is unsanitary, as this may lead to infection.
- Cleanse the wound: Apply first aid to the wound, cleanse it, and dress it appropriately. See an urgent care or other medical facility for additional treatment and a tetanus shot.
- Obtain as much information as you can: Note the location (e.g. street address) where the dog bite occurred and try to determine who owns the animal. If there were any witnesses, get their names and contact information. Find out whether the dog has had its shots.
- Take pictures of the wound: The more pictures with more details, the better.
How Do I Report a Dog Bite in Athens?
You must report the dog bite to the appropriate authorities:
- County Animal Control: This agency is responsible for documenting bites and other incidents involving dangerous dogs and animals. Animal Control will know whether the dog has a history of aggression.
- Athens-Clarke County Police: Filing a police report will help document essential details about what happened and will assist with your legal claim later.
What Happens After I Report a Dog Attack in Athens?
Make sure you seek sufficient medical treatment for the wound, regardless of how minor it may seem. That includes taking prescribed medications, attending follow-up medical appointments, and following the doctor’s orders. Never underestimate how bad a dog bite injury is, as its severity may not manifest itself until later.
What Damages Can I Collect After a Dog Bite in Athens?
Every dog bite is different. In some cases, the bite itself is the only injury, while others may see the victim suffer additional physical trauma (e.g. brain injury). Therefore, damages will vary from case to case. In general, most victims can seek the following damages:
- Medical bills, including hospitalization, surgery, stitches, prescription medication, and plastic surgery
- Lost wages due to time missed from work
- Lost earning capacity if the dog bite prevents you from working the same job or at the same productivity level
- Disfigurement and disability
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages if the victim dies from his or her injuries
Who Is Responsible for Dog Bites?
To hold the dog’s owner responsible, you must prove that the dog had what the law calls “vicious propensities.” This means that the dog had bitten, attacked or acted aggressively towards other people or animals before.
If someone visits the property, the dog’s owner should supervise the animal and control it as needed. The same applies if the dog is off-leash, at a dog park for example.
These rules make dog bite cases relatively straightforward as compared to other personal injury cases. The victim may still have to prove fault.
Fault Matters in Georgia Dog Bite Cases
Dog owners have several options for fighting your claim by attempting to show they were not at fault. They may:
- Claim you were trespassing on their property when the bite occurred
- Argue you intentionally provoked the dog to attack
- Say you were in the process of committing a crime and the dog was defending itself or its owner
Your Athens dog bite attorney will work to refute these and any other defenses the owner may raise.
What If the Dog Belongs to Someone I Know?
Even if you know the dog’s owner, don’t neglect your right to file a dog bite claim. Your injuries could require costly medical treatments in addition to lost time from work and other losses. The victim should not have to pay for these potentially significant damages. In most cases, the dog owner’s home insurance policy will pay the victim’s compensation.
What If I Was Working in Someone’s Home and Their Dog Bit Me?
The homeowner is always responsible for keeping his or her property safe for anyone who comes onto the premises to do work. The owner must keep the dog properly restrained to prevent an attack. You have the right to seek not only a personal injury claim but also one for workers’ compensation.
How Much Does a Dog Bite Lawyer in Athens Cost?
Our Athens dog bite lawyer believes in helping victims receive the compensation they deserve by making it easy for them to take legal action. With Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys, you don’t pay anything upfront. We collect a fee from your damages award or insurance settlement. Moreover, you pay us nothing if we don’t win your case. We also offer free initial consultations to explain how dog bite injury cases work.
The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Athens
You have two years from the date of the dog bite to take legal action, a deadline known as the statute of limitations. Failure to file a lawsuit within this time will result in your case being dismissed. You should act much earlier to make sure evidence isn’t lost or details forgotten.
Talk to an Athens Dog Bite Lawyer Today
We are dedicated to providing personalized attention and legal service to every dog bite client we work with. We understand the pain and frustration you may experience as medical bills mount and work is missed. Have you been injured? It’s time to let our skilled Athens dog bite attorney represent you and your family. Connect with Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys today.
