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Dog Bites: A Serious Problem That Can Be Prevented
Dog bites are a serious problem in the United States – even in communities like McDonough. We at The Millar Law Firm have been successfully representing Georgia dog bite victims for over three decades. This experience gives us the skill to win full and fair compensation packages for our clients since the 1990’s. We take the trauma our clients suffer very seriously and it shows.
Every year across the country, millions of people are bitten by dogs. In some cases, dog bites can even be fatal. Most dog attacks can be prevented, but unfortunately, many dog owners are negligent. The legal team at The Millar Law Firm understands this outrageous fact very well. We continue to fight to defend the rights of innocent victims in the McDonough area.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to dog bites, including the dog’s breed, the owner’s negligence, and the victim’s behavior. However, one of the most important factors is simply being aware of the risks and taking steps to prevent them.
One way to help with the prevention of future dog bite events is to hire a lawyer who specializes in dog bite law. A lawyer can help you understand the laws in Georgia and how those laws apply to your particular case. He or she can also help you file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner if you are bitten. This raises public awareness of the serious nature of dog bites and can help to prevent them in the future.
If you have been bitten by a dog, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Even if the bite doesn’t seem serious, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor. Dog bites can often become infected, and you may need antibiotics or other treatment.
Be sure to report the bite to the police. This will create a record of the incident in case you need to file a civil lawsuit later on. We also recommend that you also contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options
It’s also helpful to consult with a lawyer. Dog bites can be expensive. A legal professional can help you get the compensation you deserve and can also help you take steps to prevent future dog bites.
Can Hiring an Attorney Help Prevent Future Dog Bite Events?
Part of the problem with dog bites is that dog owners sometimes don’t take their responsibility for the dog’s behavior seriously.
Hiring an attorney to represent you after you have been bitten by a dog can help prevent future dog bites in a few ways:
- Your attorney can help you file a claim against the dog owner’s insurance company. This will help ensure that you recover the money you’ve lost because of the dog bite including for medical costs, lost wages, and long-term care for physical therapy or other treatments for your injuries. The dog owner’s insurance company may try to deny your claim or offer you a low settlement, but your attorney will fight for your rights and get you the maximum amount of compensation possible.
- Your attorney can help you get the dog declared dangerous. If the dog that bit you has a history of aggression, your attorney can file a petition with the court to have the dog declared dangerous. This will require the dog to be muzzled and leashed at all times in public, and the owner may be required to take additional steps to control the dog.
- By hiring an attorney to represent you after you have been bitten by a dog, you can help prevent future dog bites by holding the dog owner accountable for their negligence, getting the dog declared dangerous, and educating the public about dog bite prevention.
Why do Dog Bites Happen and Can They Be Prevented?
Dog bites can happen in many different ways and for a number of reasons. Nevertheless, there are some common factors that contribute to most dog-bite events. These factors include:
Some breeds of dogs are more likely to bite than others. For example, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and German shepherds are all considered to more likely to bite. However, it is important to remember that not all dogs of these breeds are aggressive.
Puppies and adolescent dogs are more likely to bite than adult dogs. This is because they are still learning how to interact with people and other animals, and they may not have learned how to control their aggression.
Dogs that are not properly trained are more likely to bite. This is because they do not know how to behave in certain situations, and they may lash out if they feel threatened or scared.
The owner’s behavior can also contribute to dog-bite events. For example, owners who are aggressive or neglectful of their dogs are more likely to have dogs that bite.
Even the victim’s behavior can contribute to dog-bite events. For example, victims who are running away from a dog or who are trying to pet a dog without the owner’s permission are more likely to be bitten.
It is important to be aware of these factors in order to prevent dog-bite events. If you see a dog that is behaving aggressively, it is best to avoid it and to contact the owner if possible. You should also never approach a dog that you do not know, and you should always ask the owner for permission before petting a dog.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and your family from dog bites.
Dog Bites Can Come With Crippling Long Term Damages
Dog bites can come with serious physical, emotional, and financial long-term damages. Some of the most common long-term effects of dog bites include:
- Physical injuries. Even if a dog bite doesn’t seem serious, it can still cause serious physical injuries, such as broken bones, nerve damage, and muscle damage. These injuries can require surgery and lengthy physical therapy. They may also lead to long-term pain and disability.
- Infections. Dogs can carry a number of dangerous germs. Dog bites can easily become infected, especially if they are not properly cleaned and treated. Some serious complications associated with dog bites include:
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Rabies: Rabies is a deadly virus that can be transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal. If you are bitten by a dog that is suspected of having rabies, you will need to receive post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent the disease. - Tetanus: Tetanus is a bacterial infection that can cause muscle stiffness, lockjaw, and difficulty breathing. It is caused by a bacteria that can live in soil and dust. If you are bitten by a dog and the wound is not clean, you may need to receive a tetanus shot.
- Capnocytophaga canimorsus: Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a bacteria that can cause serious infections in people who are bitten by dogs. It is often found in the mouths of healthy dogs, but it can be harmful to people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection can include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and red streaks at the bite site. In severe cases, it can lead to sepsis, pneumonia, and death.
- Pasteurella multocida: Pasteurella multocida is a bacteria that is commonly found in the mouths of dogs and cats. It can cause infections of the skin, soft tissues, and bones. Symptoms of Pasteurella multocida infection can include pain, swelling, redness, and drainage at the bite site. In severe cases, it can lead to sepsis, pneumonia, and death.
- MRSA: MRSA is a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics. It can be found in the mouths of dogs, and it can cause infections of the skin, soft tissues, and bones. Symptoms of MRSA infection can include pain, swelling, redness, and drainage at the bite site. In severe cases, it can lead to sepsis, pneumonia, and death.
- Disfigurement. Dog bites can cause scarring and disfigurement, especially if they are on the face or neck. In addition to the cost of remedial cosmetic procedures, this disfigurement and scarring can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem and quality of life.
- Emotional trauma. Dog bites can be a traumatic experience, and they can lead to a variety of emotional problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. These problems can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental health and well-being.
- Financial hardship. The cost of medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses related to a dog bite can be significant. This can put a financial strain on families and individuals, especially if they do not have health insurance.
- In order to deal effectively with the medical and emotional consequences of dog attacks, you may wish to get counseling. Counseling can help you to cope with the experience and to develop coping mechanisms.
- Recovering from a dog attack may also require you to take legal action. If you have suffered serious injuries, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the dog owner. A lawyer can help you to assess your case and to file a lawsuit.
Collecting Compensation from Property Insurance Companies is Not Easy
Whether or not a dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance will pay for damages after a dog bite event depends on a number of factors, including:
- The dog owner’s insurance policy. Most homeowner’s insurance policies include liability coverage, which can pay for damages caused by a dog bite. However, some policies have exclusions for dog bites, or they may have limits on the amount of coverage that is available.
- The circumstances of the dog bite. If the dog bite was caused by the dog owner’s negligence, such as not keeping the dog on a leash, the insurance company is more likely to pay for the damages. However, if the dog bite was not caused by the dog owner’s negligence, the insurance company may not be liable.
- The severity of the injuries. If the dog bite victim suffered serious injuries, the insurance company is more likely to pay for the damages. However, if the dog bite victim only suffered minor injuries, the insurance company may not be willing to pay for the damages.
- Not all dog owners have insurance. All people who own dogs do not own homes. Many are renters who may not have any insurance coverage. In such cases, you may need an attorney to help you identify and access other assets the dog owner may have in order to compensate your losses.
If you have been bitten by a dog, it is important to contact your own insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurance company can help you to assess your claim and determine if you are covered under your own policy.
Additional Tips for Filing a Claim in a Dog Attack Event
Here are some additional helpful tips for filing a claim with a dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance company:
Not only will this help to ensure your continued well-being, it will also help to document your injuries making your claim stronger.
This will creates an official record of the incident and it may help your claim.
Injuries heal so that you may “look fine” to a jury if your claim has to go to trial. Taking photos of your injuries will help to document your injuries long after the event.
This includes doctor’s bills, prescriptions, and any other documentation related to your injuries.
of any police reports or other documentation related to the bite.
The sooner you file your claim, the better.
As soon as possible after the attack, write an account of how, when and where the incident occurred. The insurance company will ask you questions about the dog bite, so it’s best to have it in writing.
It may take some time for the insurance company to process your claim.
Dog Attack Claims Can be Extremely Difficult
If you are bitten by a dog, you may be surprised at how difficult it is to deal effectively with the dog’s owner. Often these owners are defensive of their pets, and will not cooperate with you. The law does not require them to carry insurance papers with them and getting information about them and their animal can be challenging.
Property insurance companies can also be reluctant to cooperate with dog bite victims. Sometimes, the best, most effective way to get help in these circumstances is to hire an attorney.
Why Our Legal Team is Different
Hiring an experienced law firm can make it more certain that you can be compensated for dog-bite injuries in a few ways:
- Experienced law firms have a deep understanding of the law and the process of filing a dog bite lawsuit. They know what evidence is needed to prove your case and they know how to negotiate with insurance companies.
- Experienced law firms have a network of experts who can help you with your case. This includes doctors, psychologists, and economists who can assess your injuries and help you calculate your damages.
- Experienced law firms are more likely to get you a fair settlement. They know how to negotiate with insurance companies and they are not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary.
Specific examples of how an experienced law firm such as The Millar Law Firm can help you get full and fair compensation for your dog-bite injuries:
- The Millar Law Firm can help you gather evidence. This includes medical records, photographs of your injuries, and witness statements.
- The Millar Law Firm can negotiate with the insurance company. The insurance company will often try to low-ball you, but our law firm will fight for the compensation you deserve.
- The Millar Law Firm can take your case to trial if becomes necessary. This is a last resort, but it is sometimes necessary if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.
If you have been bitten by a dog, it is important to speak to an experienced law firm as soon as possible. An experienced legal team such as The Millar Law Firm will help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
The Millar Law Firm’s Experience Pays Off in Dog Attack Injuries
Our firm is right at home in McDonough. Our local office is staffed with exceptional professionals who know how to offer friendly, personal service as well. When you’ve been injured through the negligence of others, it’s especially comforting to know that you are supported by people who are committed to your full compensation.
Because we have been dealing with the consequences of dog attacks for decades, we know precisely how to approach insurance companies in order to meet the needs of our clients. Our exceptional reputation for winning is widely known in the insurance world. But we offer much more than just vast experience and a formidable reputation. We offer unrivaled customer service.
Experience and Focus: The Personal Injury Cases Handled by Our McDonough Attorneys
How The Millar Law Firm Obtains Compensation for You
Once we have met with you in your free, initial consultation, at least two staff members will be assigned your case. We will evaluate the facts, gather the evidence, itemize your costs and losses. We will then set about the difficult work of negotiating with the applicable insurance companies in order to compensate you fully for what you’ve suffered and lost. Call us today for your free first consultation.
