Have you been bitten, knocked-down, chased and injured or attacked by a vicious or roaming dog near Ellenwood?

The Millar Law Firm has been handling dog bite cases for Ellenwood and other local Clayton County communities for over 31 years. Our attorneys handle dog bite claims for victims attacked in their yard or neighborhood, delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, city workers, repairmen and repair-women, and others attacked by vicious, loose or roaming dogs.

If you have been hurt by a roaming or vicious dog near Ellenwood, we have helped many people like you receive a significant settlement- whether it was a bite, chase, or knock-down incident.

Our consultations are free. Call us today at 770-400-0000 and speak with a dog bite expert. Your legal questions are answered at no cost or obligation.  

Table of Contents

How our lawyers investigate, handle and negotiate dog bite claims

Collecting Your Evidence to Prove Liability  

When your retain our dog bite attorneys, your legal team will start collecting evidence as soon as possible after the attack. Evidence we gather includes police reports, animal control reports, photographs, videos, witness statements, and medical records. 

How Do We Prove A Dog Owner’s Negligence After a Dog Attack or Bite

To prove liability in a dog bite claim, under Georgia law it must show either that 1) the dog had a dangerous nature that a reasonable owner would have known about, or 2) that the owner carelessly managed a dog that got loose or allowed it to roam free in violation of leash laws. Animal control records, videos, or witness statements from neighbors may help prove that the dog was allowed to roam free or that the owner carelessly managed to control it. 

Evidence that shows the owner knew that the dog had bitten or chased people or killed pets on previous occasions may prove knowledge of the dog’s dangerous nature. O.C.G.A. § 4-8-21. In Georgia, owners must register their dogs as a “dangerous animal” after such an incident, and proof of this registration can help establish the owner’s liability if it attacks again. 

We Help Locate All Available Insurance Coverage 

Typically, dog bite claims can often be covered by the dog owner’s homeowners liability insurance policy, a business insurance policy if the dog was kept at a business, or renters insurance. Dog bite claims are also generally covered even if the attack happens somewhere other than at home, if the dog was loose or not being restrained in a public place in a manner consistent with local ordanances.  

What Damages Can be Recovered in an Ellenwood Area Dog Attack, Dog Bite, or Knock-Down Case?

When you have been injured in a dog attack, you may be eligible to recover all the past and current economic and noneconomic losses you have suffered as well as any future losses, such as ongoing medical or rehabilitation costs, decreased future earnings, and diminished quality of life.  This means that you can ask to have your past and current medical bills and lost pay reimbursed (your economic losses) and your pain and suffering, scarring, mental trauma, and permanent injuries compensated (your non-economic losses).

Our attorneys can determine the full value of your claim and help you calculate or estimate your current and future losses before you accept a settlement offer. This process includes collecting all the bills and treatment costs associated with the attack, consulting with doctors and other experts to understand the cost of long-term injuries or scarring, and identifying the cost of your pain and suffering.

If I Hire a Lawyer, How Long Will a Typical Georgia Dog Bite Case Take?  

When it comes to dog bite cases, how long a case will take to settle or go to trial varies greatly depending on your individual facts and circumstances. How long it takes to recover from severe physical injuries, the amount of available insurance, and whether the dog owner or thier insurance company are fighting liability all factor into how long the settlement process will take. Some cases are settled in a matter of weeks or months, while others may take longer to resolve. 

When you reach a settlement for your dog bite claim, the settlement agreement will contain terms and conditions that determine how and when you will be compensated. Payment is usually made in one of two ways: 

• Lump-sum payments, which are usually paid shortly after signing the agreement or 
• Periodic payments, which require monthly or semi-monthly payments until the settlement amount is paid in full. 

Cases involving minor children or incapacitated adults may require probate or state court approval. If a settlement requires court approval in Georgia, it typically takes two to four months to receive payment. 

FAQs About Hiring an Ellenwood Georgia Dog Bite Lawyer 

Is it possible to successfully handle a dog bite claim without the help of a dog bite lawyer?

Yes. Not all cases require a lawyer. For example, if the dog owner admits liability, your damages are straightforward, and the insurance company is motivated to make a generous settlement offer, you may not need a lawyer to receive a settlment. Alternately, you may file your own lawsuit and represent youself in court.

However, insurance companies are not known for their generosity—especially when the claim involves a victim with no legal representation—and dog owners are often unwilling to admit to being irresponsible with their pets. In addition, most people do not understand the full value of a dog bite claim because victims may be entitled to substantial damages for noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering, that can be hard to quantify. Without the help of an experienced dog bite attorney, you may leave money on the table trying to handle it on your own. 

Can you hire a dog bite lawyer for a small bite?

Our firm will evalute your dog bite or attack claim at no cost or obligation. We will be honest with you and let you know whether it would be cost effective to represent you or your family member if the bite or wound is relatively minor. One thing to keep in mind is that even some wounds that an insurance company might tell you are minor may not be. You wouldn’t consider a scar in a visible location on a young child or a woman to be a minor thing, would you? We provide a free consultation to help you review your options and decide whether you need a lawyer to handle your claim based on your individual circumstances. 

What are the possible consequences to careless dog owners when their dog bites someone?

When a dog injures someone because of its owner’s carelessness, the dog owner may be held liable for negligence in civil court. Generally, the dog owner’s insurance company pays for damages, but if the insurance policy does not fully cover the costs or there is no insurance, the victim must often look to the owner to pay the remaining amount.  

A dog owner could also face criminal prosecution if the dog who caused the injury had been classified as dangerous or vicious. In that situation, the dog owner could be charged with either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the seriousness of the injuries and what the owner did or did not do prior to the attack. O.C.G.A. § 4-8-29. 

What are some of the defenses to a dog bite claim in Georgia?

If you have been bitten by a dog, there are certain defenses that may prevent you from receiving compensation. For example, if evidence shows that you provoked the dog or were trespassing on the owner’s property, you may be considered at fault for the attack.

Even if you were not at fault, it can be hard to prove what happened if you failed to report the attack to the police or animal control, did not cooperate with the investigation, or failed to seek medical attention. To build a successful claim, it is important to keep track of all your medical bills and records as well as documentation of lost wages.

Finally, because Georgia has a statute of limitations on dog bite claims (two years from the date of the attack), you must settle your claim or file a lawsuit within two years or your claim may be time-barred.

Experience and Focus: The Personal Injury Cases Handled by Our Ellenwood Attorneys

Call The Millar Law Firm for a Free Consultation 

If you have been attacked by a dog, you should speak to an experienced dog bite attorney as soon as possible. Our lawyers know how to recover maximum compensation for your injuries and can answer any questions you may have about your claim. Call The Millar Law Firm today at (770) 400-0000 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with one of our attorneys.