Atlanta, GA Dog Bite Injury Attorneys

After a dog bite, your first priority should be seeking medical attention, even if the wound appears minor. Dog bites can cause infections and other complications that may not be immediately apparent. Once you have received medical care, report the incident to your local animal control agency and document everything you can, including photographs of your injuries, the location of the attack, and the dog involved. Obtain the dog owner’s name, contact information, and homeowner’s insurance details if possible. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney.

Yes. Despite the common misconception about Georgia’s “one-bite rule,” you do not need to prove that the dog has previously bitten someone in order to recover compensation. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, you must show that the dog had dangerous or vicious propensities and that the owner knew or should have known about those tendencies. Evidence of aggressive behavior short of an actual bite, such as growling, lunging, snapping, or prior complaints to animal control, can be sufficient to establish the owner’s knowledge. Additionally, if the owner violated a local leash law or other animal control ordinance, that violation may serve as evidence of negligence regardless of the dog’s prior history.

Dog bite victims in Georgia may recover compensation for a wide range of damages, including medical expenses (both past and future), lost wages and lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving permanent disability or the need for ongoing treatment, victims may also recover compensation for future care and rehabilitation costs. In rare cases involving particularly egregious conduct by the dog owner, punitive damages may be available. The value of each claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the extent of recovery, and the strength of the evidence establishing liability.

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including dog bite cases, is generally two years from the date of the injury under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. You must file your lawsuit within two years of the date of the attack, or you risk losing your right to seek compensation. There are limited exceptions that may extend or shorten this deadline, such as claims involving minors or claims against government entities. Because evidence can deteriorate and witnesses’ memories can fade over time, it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after a dog bite incident.

When a renter’s dog bites someone, both the renter and, in some cases, the landlord may be held liable. The renter, as the dog’s owner, bears primary responsibility for controlling the animal. However, a landlord may also be liable if they knew or should have known that the tenant’s dog was dangerous and failed to take appropriate action. For example, if a landlord received complaints about a tenant’s aggressive dog but did not enforce pet restrictions in the lease or take steps to protect other tenants, the landlord could share liability. The specific terms of the lease agreement, the landlord’s knowledge of the animal, and the landlord’s control over common areas are all important factors in determining landlord liability.

Georgia law does recognize provocation as a potential defense in dog bite cases. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, the dog owner may argue that the victim’s actions provoked the animal, which could reduce or eliminate the owner’s liability. However, the provocation defense has significant limitations. The provocation must be sufficient to cause a reasonable dog to react aggressively, and the burden of proving provocation falls on the dog owner. Minor or unintentional actions, such as a child accidentally stepping on a dog’s tail, are generally not considered sufficient provocation to bar recovery. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence standard, meaning that even if you are found partially at fault, you may still recover compensation as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent.