Are you searching for a compassionate Duluth dog bite lawyer or a trusted dog bite law firm in GA? At Brauns Law Firm, we understand the distress and pain that can follow a dog bite incident.
Whether you’re in Duluth or nearby areas, our team is here to provide expert legal guidance and support during this challenging time.
Dog bites are a significant issue, with an estimated 4.5 million incidents annually. About 800,000 of these require medical attention, leading to expensive hospital bills. Many victims pursue dog bite lawsuits to recover compensation for their damages.
Owner negligence, unfamiliar children approaching dogs, and specific breeds known for aggression contribute to these incidents.
How do I know if I have a viable dog bite injury claim?
David Brauns will review every aspect of your case to determine if you have a viable claim and can then help you collect the proper evidence to prove it.
Georgia statute O.C.G.A. 51-2-7 governs how dog bite or other animal injury cases are handled. First, the injured party must prove the animal owner’s liability for the injury. To do so, the injured party must show either of the following points is valid.
- The animal is dangerous or vicious, and the owner knows the dog is dangerous or vicious. Further, the victim must prove that the dog owner did not correctly manage the dog or allow it to run at large.
- The dog was not on a leash as required by local law, and the owner did not correctly manage the dog or allow it to run at large. Under these grounds for liability, the owner does not have to know that the dog is dangerous or vicious.
The burden of proof is on the injured person to prove that the animal owner is liable. Therefore, your case must include evidence that the animal owner acted negligently or carelessly, contributing to the dog bite injury.
All claims involving dog bites are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. Therefore, the courts will not hear the case if the dog bite incident occurred more than two years before the filing date.
What Types of Defenses Should I Expect in a Dog Bite Claim?
An owner can claim a lack of liability because he did not know his animal’s vicious nature or could argue he did not exhibit a lack of care or any wrongdoing in the incident. Some possible defenses you should prepare for in a dog bite claim include:
- Lack of knowledge: If the owner had no reason to expect his dog would bite a human (no previous incidents), they could use the defense that his lack of knowledge precludes his responsibility. Georgia has a “One-Bite Rule,” which states that a dog owner can be exempt from liability if he did not know his dog was vicious before a bite. After the first bite or if the dog shows any propensity towards viciousness, the dog owner cannot claim a lack of knowledge.
- No evidence of negligence: If the dog was restrained correctly or in an area where leashes are not required, it might be challenging to prove a lack of care. You need to confirm that the owner did not have proper control over his animal or that he let the dog “go at liberty.”
- Provocation: Georgia law states that if the injured party teased or abused the dog, the owner might not be responsible for the bite. We will work with you to present evidence that proves this was not the case.
Discussing the details of the incident with your Duluth personal injury lawyer is essential so you can prepare for defenses that might arise.
Damages You Can Recover
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to various types of compensation:
- Economic Damages: Cover tangible financial losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future medical costs.
- Non-economic Damages: Compensate for intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and deter similar behavior in the future.
How to Get in Touch With Us
Getting in touch with Brauns Law Firm is easy. You can reach us through:
- Telephone: Call us at 404.974.3159 to speak directly with a knowledgeable attorney.
- Contact Form: Visit our Contact Us page and fill out the form to schedule your free consultation.
What Clients Think of Us
Our dedicated team has secured substantial compensation for clients involved in car accidents, bicycle accidents, and dog bite incidents. We consistently deliver results that help our clients rebuild their lives and confidently move forward.
Polite, Detailed!
Braun’s Law handled my car accident claim wonderfully! Once I retained them, they handled everything from the accident report and the doctor’s bills all the way through the settlement. Not once did I have to deal with the at fault’s insurance carrier or the doctor’s bills! Haley and her team were extremely polite and detailed throughout the entire process. Definitely recommend!!
Communicative, Passionate!
I had a great experience with Brauns Law. David, Elsa, and Chris were extremely detailed and thorough. Great communication and they kept me updated every step of my case. You can tell they really have a passion for what they do, and for their clients’ best interest. I would highly recommend Brauns Law!
Amazing! Helpful!
Brauns Law was very easy to work with and helped me deal with the insurance and medical after being rear ended. They were able to make sure I was fairly compensated for my no-fault accident. Haley and Brittany were amazing! Thanks for the help!
Brauns Law Firm: Duluth Dog Bite Lawyer
Meet Your Duluth Dog Bite Attorney
David Brauns, the founding partner of Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to personal injury law. Having started his legal career as an insurance defense attorney, David has a unique insider’s perspective on how insurance companies operate and evaluate claims.
His extensive legal credentials, including a Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law and a background in software engineering, contribute to his meticulous and process-driven approach to handling cases.
This experience has allowed him to build a powerful plaintiff’s practice focused exclusively on personal injury cases. His approach is characterized by exceptional customer service, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring that each client receives the dedicated attention and comprehensive support they deserve.
How Our Duluth Dog Bite Law Firm Can Help
Our Duluth dog bite law firm is dedicated to assisting you with various aspects of your claim following a dog bite incident. We understand the complexities and are here to help you navigate them effectively. Our services include:
- Recovering Lost Wages: Ensuring you receive compensation for income lost due to your injury.
- Medical Bills and Rehabilitation: Helping you handle medical expenses, including physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Pain and Suffering: Seeking compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused by the dog bite.
- Disfigurement, Disability, Amputations: Advocating for fair compensation if the dog bite resulted in severe physical consequences.
- Infections: Addressing complications such as infections that may arise from the bite.
- Emotional Recovery & PTSD: Supporting you in seeking damages for emotional trauma, including PTSD.
- Dog-on-Dog Attacks: While not a personal injury, we can advise on related legal issues.
- Bites from Strays: Assisting with claims arising from bites by stray dogs.
- Bites While Working on Property: Helping you understand liability and seek compensation if bitten while legally on someone else’s property.
Important Initial Advice to Take When Bitten by a Dog
Here are essential steps to take immediately after a dog bite incident to protect your rights and health:
- Get Name and Address of Owner: Obtain the owner’s contact information for future reference.
- Minimize Discussion with Owner to prevent potential interference with official reports.
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Get medical treatment promptly and follow all medical advice to prevent complications.
- Report the Incident: Notify local police and animal control to document the incident officially.
- Legal Assistance: Contact Duluth dog bite and animal attack attorneys promptly to understand your legal options and rights.
- Avoid Social Media: Refrain from discussing the incident on social media to avoid potential complications in your case.
- Decline Early Insurance Offers: Do not accept the first settlement offer from insurance companies without consulting a lawyer.
- Careful Communication with Insurers: Be cautious about the information you provide to insurance companies; seek legal advice if needed.
Child Dog Bite Victims
When a dog bites a child, the physical and emotional impact can be profound and long-lasting. We understand the unique challenges that families face in these situations, and we are here to provide the compassionate and expert legal support you need.
Our experienced team is dedicated to advocating for the rights of child dog bite victims, ensuring that they receive the medical care and compensation necessary for their recovery. We work closely with families to understand the specific circumstances of each case, offering a personalized approach to legal representation.
We can help you navigate the complexities of filing a dog bite claim, dealing with insurance companies, and pursuing legal action if necessary.
Our goal is to alleviate the stress on your family during this challenging time, allowing you to focus on your child’s healing and well-being.
Deadlines
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the injury. This means that if you have been bitten by a dog, you have two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Here are some important points to consider:
- Discovery Rule: In some cases, the two-year period may begin from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered, rather than the actual date of the incident.
- Minors: If the victim of the dog bite is a minor (under 18 years old), the statute of limitations may be tolled (paused) until the minor turns 18. In such cases, the two-year period would start from the victim’s 18th birthday.
- Government Entities: If the dog bite claim is against a government entity, there are usually special notice requirements and shorter time frames for filing a claim. It’s essential to act quickly and seek legal advice in these situations.
- Comparative Negligence: Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means that if the injured person is found to be partially at fault for the incident, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. If the victim is found to be 50% or more at fault, they may be barred from recovering any compensation.
- Defenses: Common defenses in dog bite cases include provocation (the victim provoked the dog) and trespassing (the victim was unlawfully on the property where the bite occurred).
Gathering Evidence
To build a strong dog bite claim, it’s essential to gather comprehensive evidence as soon as possible. Here are the key types of evidence you should start collecting:
- Police Report: Filing a police report establishes a timeline of events and provides an official record of the attack. Include detailed information such as the dog owner’s name and contact details.
- Medical Records: Documentation from your medical treatment, including emergency room visits, doctor’s reports, prescriptions, and any follow-up care, will illustrate the extent of your injuries and support your claim for damages.
- Eyewitness Statements: Collect statements from anyone who witnessed the incident. Their accounts can corroborate your version of events and provide additional perspectives on the circumstances of the attack.
- Photographs and Videos: Capture clear images and videos of your injuries, the location of the incident, and any contributing factors such as hazardous conditions. Visual evidence can significantly strengthen your case by providing a clear depiction of the attack and its aftermath.
- Animal Control Report: File a report with local animal control authorities. They can investigate the incident and provide information on the dog’s history and behavior, which can be crucial if the dog has a record of aggression.
- Dog Owner’s Insurance Information: Obtain the dog owner’s insurance details. This information can help in negotiating a settlement for your damages.
- Personal Journal: Keep a detailed record of your physical and emotional experiences following the attack. Document pain levels, medical treatments, emotional distress, and any impact on your daily life.
What Can I Expect to Pay?
We operate on a contingency fee basis for dog bite cases. This means you pay nothing upfront. We only receive payment if we successfully recover compensation for your injuries through a settlement or court award.
This fee structure allows us to represent clients without adding financial stress during an already challenging time.
Why Choose Us Over Other Duluth Dog Bite Attorneys?
We stand out for several compelling reasons when considering legal representation for a dog bite case in Duluth. Our dedicated team of dog bite attorneys brings extensive experience and a track record of successful outcomes in handling these complex cases.
We prioritize client communication and transparency, ensuring you are informed and involved at every step of your case. Our personal injury attorneys also understand the unique challenges faced by dog bite victims and their families, offering compassionate support and personalized attention.
Our commitment to achieving maximum compensation through diligent advocacy sets us apart, making us a trusted choice for those seeking justice and fair treatment after a dog bite incident.
General Information on Dog Bites in Duluth
How Common Are Dog Attacks?
Dog attacks can happen more often than you might think, especially in areas like Duluth where pets are common. While exact numbers can vary, staying informed about how to prevent them and what to do if you or someone you know is involved in one is essential.
How Serious Are Dog Bite Injuries?
Dog bite injuries can vary widely in severity, from minor cuts and bruises to more serious wounds requiring medical attention.
Locations We Serve
At Brauns Law Firm, we proudly serve clients across various locations in Georgia, ensuring access to reliable legal support for personal injury cases.
- Lawrenceville
- Peachtree Corners
- Stone Mountain
- Suwanee
Speak to a Dog Bite Lawyer in Duluth, GA Today!
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a dog bite, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for experienced legal assistance. Our dedicated team of Duluth dog bite lawyers is here to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact us now at 404.974.3159 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.