Injured by a dog bite or dog attack? Contact our experienced dog bite lawyers today.
There are approximately 4.7 million dog bites in the U.S. every year. Dog attacks often result in serious injuries and sometimes even death.
Dog bite injuries often include:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Puncture wounds, cuts, abrasions, and contusions
- Mauling injuries
- Nerve damage
- Rabies and other infections
- Scares and disfigurement
- Face injuries
- Head injuries
- Eye injuries
- Emotional distress (anxiety, fear, and depression)
Great Dog Bite Settlements:
Attorney Richard Griffin specializes in personal injury claims from dog bites. In fact, his personal injury law firm has a track record of great recoveries on dog bite personal injury claims in Georgia. Two examples of our dog bite settlements include the following:
Should you represent yourself in a dog bite claim?
No. Many-times dog bite victims want to represent themselves for their personal injury claim. However, this is a mistake that can cost you thousands. Insurance adjusters love to reject your case or make a very low offer. This is because the adjuster knows you can’t litigate and don’t even know what you case is worth.
The Griffin Law Firm makes a huge difference for our clients. In our $80,000 dog bite settlement, we turned a zero offer into a $80,000 settlement for our client. Likewise, we were able to turn the client’s prior $8,000 offer into a $30,000 dog bite settlement. One study found that personal injury claimants recover about 3.5 times more when they have an attorney. In these two dog bite cases, the Griffin Law Firm did even better than 3.5 times more money average for our dog bite clients.
What is required for a dog bite personal injury claim?
- Personal Injury Liability:
You must be able to prove liability to have a personal injury claim. This is more than just proving that you were bitten by a dog. You have to prove you In Georgia, there is currently a “one bite rule” that is a defense to a dog bite case. This rule basically states that unless the dog has bitten before, then the dog owner isn’t responsible for the dog bite claim. However, the Griffin Law Firm has had great success even when it is the first bite whenever the dog was not on a leash or in a fenced area. This is because there are usually local ordinances that require a leash or fence. There are many complicated dog bite laws which you must know to handle a dog bite claim. Not only do we know the dog bite law, we also have the experience and resources needed to get you the great results you need and deserve.
- Personal Injury Damages:
Our dog bite attorneys help our clients get all of the treatment they need. This not only helps the client heal from the dog bite injuries, but also, helps document the full extent of the injuries. In Georgia, a dog bite case is based on the following:
- Severity of your injuries
- Total cost of your past medical treatment
- Projected cost of your future medical treatment
- Pain and suffering for you pain, scarring, and negative impact to your life
What will our dog bite attorneys do for you?
- Investigate the claim
- Photograph the injuries
- Assist you in getting medical treatment
- Obtain the claim documentation (medical bills, narratives, future treatment plans, lost wage forms)
- Negotiate for the adjuster’s top offer
- Settle or litigate your claim to get you a great recovery
Free Settlement Calculator:
The Griffin Law Firm will let you know the projected value of your claim if you call us at 800-624-4878. You can also use our below Settlement Calculator for your free settlement evaluation as well.
Free Case Evaluation:
If you have been injured in a dog bite, auto accident, or work injury you should call the Griffin Law Firm at 800-624-4878. The Griffin Firm will let you know the value of your case and how they can help you get the settlement you need and deserve.
Free Insurance Search:
If you have been injured in a dog bite, we will help you verify if there is insurance to cover your claim. Insurance coverage for dog bite cases is normally homeowners insurance policies or renters insurance policies. Call us at 800-624-4878 or submit your request using the link below:
[Insurance Coverage Search]
Georgia Dog Bite Law:
The Georgia statute that covers dog bite claim is O.C.G.A. 51-2-7. The statute is subject to change, but includes the following:
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O.C.G.A. Section 51-2-7. Liability of owner or keeper of vicious or dangerous animal for injuries caused by animal
A person who owns or keeps a vicious or dangerous animal of any kind and who, by careless management or by allowing the animal to go at liberty, causes injury to another person who does not provoke the injury by his own act may be liable in damages to the person so injured. In proving vicious propensity, it shall be sufficient to show that the animal was required to be at heel or on a leash by an ordinance of a city, county, or consolidated government, and the said animal was at the time of the occurrence not at heel or on a leash. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to domesticated fowl including roosters with spurs. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to domesticated livestock.
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Georgia Dog Bite Case Law
However, dog bites are covered in Georgia by case law as well. Dog bite claims, much like any personal injury claim require that the plaintiff prove that they were injured due to the negligence of someone else. This means that the dog bite victim must show that he or she was injured in the dog bite, and that the dog’s owner was negligent. The dog owner’s negligence could be based on a prior knowledge that the dog is aggressive or a failure to use a leash or fence when required. Our attorneys are know how to win dog bite cases even with the insurance company uses defenses like the “one free bite rule” or other liability defenses to deny your claim.
Call us today at 800-624-4878.
The Griffin Law Firm gladly apply the dog bite laws to your claim to let you know if you have a valid claim.
What are the most common Dog Bite Treatments?
- Wound Treatment: Dog bites often cause an open wound injury to the dog bite victim. Doctors normally treat abrasions, lacerations, and puncture wounds with stitches or skin glue. However, when the wounds are more severe, skin graphs are sometimes required. There is always a high risk of infection for dog bite injuries. Doctors usually will clean the wound and apply antibiotic ointment. Additional oral antibiotics are also common.
- Rabies Injections: Dog bite victims may also have to undergo rabies shots to prevent a rabies infection.
- Fractures: If a dog bite results in a fracture or broken bone, then the patient will usually receive a splint, brace, or plastic cast. If the fracture is severe, then surgery may be required to insert metal rods or plates to hold the broken pieces of bone together.
- Reconstructive Surgery: If the dog bite causes a disfigurement or severe scarring, then plastic surgery might be required.
- Psychological Treatment: Dog bite victims may even require counseling or medications to deal with the fear, anxiety, and depression that can result from a violent dog attack. Some dog bite victims even suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Dog Breeds with Highest Number of Bites Statistics:
Pitbulls are the dogs most often mentioned as the most dangerous breed. However, the study below shows that Labrador Retrievers are involved bite the most each year. This is probably because Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed so there are more of these dogs in the U.S. than any other breed. This study is summarized below:
- Pit Bull Terriers 4%
- Rottweilers 9%
- Chows 5%
- Labrador retrievers 3%
25 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds Statistics:
The breed that seems to be most mentioned in the news for dog attacks is the Pitbull. However, one study found the top 25 most dangerous dog breeds to include the following:
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Caucasian Ovcharka
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Pitbull Terrier
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German Shepherds
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Rottweilers
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Alaskan Malamutes
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Huskies
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Doberman Pinschers
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Chow Chow
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Wolf Hybrid
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Boxer
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Akita Inu
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Perro de Presa Canario
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Fila Brasilerio
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Great Dane
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American Bulldog
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Saint Bernard
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Basenji
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Gull Dong
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Boer Boel
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Dogo Argentino
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Rhodesian Ridgeback
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Bull Terrier
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Cane Corso
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American Bandogge
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Tosa Inu
Call us today to discuss your dog bite claim further at 800-624-4878.
