Dogs are often seen as great companions that many people keep as pets and service animals. However, when a dog attacks a person, it can be a life-threatening event that results in serious injuries. If you or someone you love has been attacked by an aggressive dog, it may be in your best interest to contact an experienced Albany dog bite lawyer to discuss your legal options. Roden Law’s dedicated Albany personal injury lawyers have helped numerous injury victims obtain maximum compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We understand the difficulties you and your loved ones may be experiencing after a dog attack. We will relentlessly pursue your claim to obtain the compensation you deserve. We represent clients throughout the Albany area.
For more than a decade, our team of dedicated attorneys have used their knowledge and skills to help accident victims obtain justice after being injured due to another’s negligence. All of our services are provided on a contingency fee basis, which means we will not charge upfront fees for representing your claim. Our attorneys only accept payment if you receive compensation for your claim.
Call 1-844-RESULTS today to schedule a free consultation.
How Do I Know if I Have a Dog Bite Lawsuit?
A dog attack can be a frightening and traumatic experience that often puts victims at risk of suffering serious injuries, disability, disfigurement or death.
For this reason, a victim may be entitled to take legal action against the owner of the dog that attacked the victim or his or her loved ones. Under O.C.G.A § 51-2-7, a victim injured by an attacking dog must prove several factors to hold the owner liable:
- The dog is known to be vicious or dangerous
- The dog’s owner carelessly or recklessly allowed the animal to be free, which caused the injury
- You did not provoke the dog before it injured you
If you were attacked by a dog on the owner’s property, you must be able to prove you were lawfully allowed on the property and were not trespassing. Additionally, you must show the dog was the aggressor and your actions could not have caused it to attack or bite you. If you were teasing, hitting or throwing things at the dog, you may have a difficult time holding the owner liable.
Georgia law also requires victims to prove the owner knew, or had reason to believe, his or her dog was dangerous before it attacked you. This can be as simple as showing the owner neglected to keep the dog on a leash in an area where animals are required to be leashed.
If you were attacked by a dog due to its owner’s negligence, Roden Law’s Albany dog bite lawyers will help you build a case that proves your claim. We will not hesitate to pursue any course of legal action that helps you hold the dog’s owner liable for the injuries and financial losses you suffered.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form to get started.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Due to the vicious nature of a dog attack, victims may suffer a wide range of injuries. These may include:
- Punctured skin
- Lacerations
- Bruising
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Nerve damage
- Permanent disfigurement
- Soft tissue damage
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Fractured bones
- Rabies
- Psychological damage, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
Unfortunately, victims often suffer permanent, life-altering injuries after being attacked and bitten by a dog. As a dog bite victim, you should immediately seek medical treatment for your injuries. Then, you should consider contacting an Albany dog bite lawyer to discuss filing a claim against the dog’s negligent owner.
For legal help, complete a Free Case Evaluation form.
Compensation for a Dog Bite Injury
Often, the injuries suffered by dog bite victims require extensive medical treatment that may require several trips to hospitals, doctors’ office and surgeries. This can result in victims suffering significant financial losses, such as expensive medical bills and lost wages while recovering from a dog bite injury.
For this reason, your Albany dog bite attorney will help you pursue compensation for the financial losses and pain and suffering you have experienced since suffering a dog bite injury. This includes compensation for:
- Past, current and future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of income
- Corrective or plastic surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of reputation
- Loss of companionship
During your free, no obligation consultation, an Albany dog bite lawyer will review the attack and how your life has been affected by the resulting injuries. He or she will help you reach an accurate estimate of the compensation you may be owed. Our attorneys will use this as a basis to negotiate with the insurance company to ensure your claim is treated fairly. We will not hesitate to pursue the maximum amount of compensation you deserve.
Call 1-844-RESULTS to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
Steps to Take After Being Bitten by a Dog
If you or someone you love has been attacked and bitten by an aggressive dog, you should immediately begin following these steps to ensure your safety:
- Immediately seek medical attention for your injuries
- Call animal control or law enforcement to report that you have been attacked
- Identify the dog, including its breed and any identifying factors
- Get the name, address and contact information of the dog’s owner
- Take pictures of your injury and the dog’s owner, if possible
- Talk to any witnesses who may have seen the attack, the dog or its owner
- File a report with the responding law enforcement officer or animal control officer
After you have taken steps to ensure your safety and have reported your dog attack, immediately contact an Albany dog bite attorney to discuss the incident. He or she will help you determine if the dog attack was caused by the owner’s negligence and if you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
However, you must file a personal injury claim against the negligent property owner as soon as possible. Insurance companies usually have their own deadline to file a claim, so you should not hesitate to report the dog attack and any injury you may have suffered.
Additionally, if you believe you are entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit after being bitten by a dog, you must sue the dog’s owner within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this timeframe, your case will be dismissed and you will no longer have the right to file a lawsuit to recover compensation from the at-fault party.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form to get started.
Contact Our Albany Dog Bite Lawyers
A dog attack can be a traumatic and life-threatening experience that often leaves victims suffering serious injuries, risk of infection or disfigurement. For this reason, victims may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Roden Law’s Albany dog bite attorneys will dedicate their skills and resources to help you obtain the justice and compensation you deserve. We understand the difficulties you and your loved ones may face after a dog attack, which is why we will provide you a free, no obligation consultation to discuss the incident and review your claim. All of our services are provided on a contingency fee basis, which means we will only charge you if we recover compensation for your claim.