DOG BITES
Because of poor training, lack of a good home, and many other factors, man’s best friend can sometimes attack innocent people, causing devastating injuries. When this happens, an Atlanta dog bite lawyer can help you recover compensation for the trauma and pain caused by the vicious attack.
Sword & Shield Injury Attorneys has fought this fight before. We helped a young woman recover $4.2 million for her injuries after being permanently injured by a pit bull while going to her apartment.
What is the One Bite Rule?
The “one bite rule” holds pet owners responsible only if they know that their dog was or could be dangerous. Under the one bite rule, dog owners are not typically held accountable for harm caused by their dog if it has never bit anyone before.
Georgia follows a modified version of the one bite rule. To be held liable, the owner needs to have reason to know that their dog is dangerous.
What Is a Dangerous Dog Under Georgia Laws?
Georgia dog bite laws deem any dog dangerous if it is not on a leash or at heel as required by a local ordinance or regulation. If a dog is roaming free when it should be on a leash and harms someone, its owner may be liable for the damages, even if that was the first time the dog had ever hurt anyone. Even leashed dogs may be dangerous if they previously attacked someone or showed vicious tendencies without provocation.
In either case, the law may bar you from recovering if the court determines that you provoked the dog. The court considers the totality of the circumstances when making this determination.
Our attorneys are skilled at investigating dog bite claims and are familiar with the arguments dog owners tend to make when faced with an accusation. We will thoroughly and rigorously review all the evidence and the applicable law to craft an argument in your favor to maximize the compensation you receive for the dog’s terrible actions.
What Are Common Dog Bite Infection Symptoms?
Because dogs’ mouths are like their hands, they typically interact with everything they find by putting it into their mouths or tasting it. This tendency leads to an increase in potentially dangerous bacteria being present, a particular concern if you are the victim of a dog bite.
Two potentially dangerous forms of bacteria are capnocytophaga and pasteurella. Signs of an infection include:
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Fever,
- Pain and inflammation at the bite wound,
- Pus or fluid,
- Joint pain, and
- Diarrhea.
One way to help prevent an infection is to be seen by a doctor right after the bite. It is crucial to allow medical professionals to clean and disinfect the wound. Just washing the wound with soap and water at home may be insufficient to clean and treat the injury.
Sword & Shield Injury Attorneys: Compassionate Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyer
Being the victim of a dog attack can be a traumatic and trying experience. Regardless of your overall opinion of dogs, a vicious assault by a four-legged creature can change you and cost you immensely through no fault of your own.
At Sword & Shield Injury Attorneys, we bring faith and fight when we advocate for our dog bite clients. We understand you are hurting and want to move forward while holding the at-fault party accountable. We treat our clients like people and will tirelessly fight to achieve a successful outcome on your behalf.
Our attorneys have 50 years of combined experience fighting for people like you.
Call our office today at 844-767-5291 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta dog bite lawyer on our team.