Ellenwood Georgia Dog Bite Lawyers 

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 settlement. Alternately, you may file your own lawsuit and represent yourself 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. 

Our firm will evaluate 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. 

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. 

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.