Cobb County Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog bite can happen at any time. Whether in a public place or your own backyard, the a dog owner is responsible for preventing their animal from attacking you. If you suffered an injury due to a dog bite, you could potentially benefit from discussing your options with a personal injury attorney.

The injuries from a dog bite can severe, even when the dog involved is small. In addition to open wounds and broken bones, dog bites can cause life-long nerve damage and require plastic surgery. If a bite becomes infected, the consequences could be even more.  A Cobb County dog bite lawyer could help you collect relevant evidence and pursue compensation for your injuries.

Determining Responsibility for a Dog Bite

It is the responsibility of the owner of a dog to ensure it is either well-trained or secured in a manner that ensures it will not injure someone. An owner is only responsible for damages caused by a dog bite if they were aware the animal was violent or vicious, however. In some states, this is known as the “one bite rule.” Under that rule, a dog must have previously bitten someone to show that they have a propensity to be violent or vicious.

Georgia has a modified version of the one bite rule. While a plaintiff must show an owner must have known their dog was vicious before the bite to be liable, there are other ways to meet that burden besides proving the dog had bitten someone previously. For example, the owner of a dog left free to roam in an area with municipal leash laws may bear liability if their dog causes an injury.

Identifying the Owner of a Dog

In many cases, determining the owner of a dog involved in a dog bite case can be difficult. This is especially true in congested public areas like apartment complexes. An experienced Cobb County dog bite attorney may be able to help identify a particular dog through a variety of methods, including:

• Interviewing witnesses and neighbors
• Reviewing the police report for identifying information for the owner
• Checking with Animal Control to determine if there other reports on a similar dog

Compensation Available from a Dog Bite Lawsuit

The potential monetary compensation available in a Cobb County dog bite case is similar to that of any personal injury lawsuit. A  suit can include a request for medical bills and any future medical treatment. It may also include wages lost due to the dog bite injuries. An injured plaintiff may also pursue non-economic damages from the qualitative effects of their injuries, including mental anguish, pain and suffering, and disfigurement.

Let a Cobb County Dog Bite Attorney Answer Your Questions

Regardless of the circumstances, the trauma from suffering a dog bite can be long-lasting. With the help of a Cobb County dog bite lawyer, you have the opportunity to pursue financial compensation and justice from the owner of the dog that bit you. Call today to schedule a consultation and begin the claims process.