Animal & Dog Bites

More than 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs on an annual basis and approximately one out of every six bites is serious enough to require medical attention. Owners of dogs, regardless of the breed of dog, can be held responsible when bites or attacks occur. If you live in Atlanta or elsewhere in Georgia, and have suffered injuries after being bitten or attacked by a dog or another animal, it is important to know your legal rights.

Your right to recover for a dog bite in Georgia will be dependent upon either the dog’s history and/or the leash laws applicable in the county or city where the dog attack occurred. Information related to the dog’s history very often must be gathered in order for a person injured by a dog bite to have any chance to recover damages. In addition, variations in the leash laws for dogs can have a significant impact on your recovery.

Since injuries from dog bites are frequently covered by homeowner’s insurance coverage, insurance investigators are often at work immediately after a dog attack occurs. The insurance company is protecting the person it insures, the dog owner, from potential responsibility from the dog bite. This includes gathering witness statements, photographing the scene, arranging for counsel for claims as well as any other action that will help the dog owner avoid responsibility.

Although the approach or tactics of insurance companies vary, many insurance companies try to reach a quick settlement with an injured person. Their purpose is to avoid responsibility for future medical expenses, lost wages and other damages that are likely to develop. This is a trap which an injured person needs to avoid. When a person is injured by a dog bite, it generally takes months to completely assess the person’s injuries. At that point, the person may need reconstructive surgery or other treatment. A victim of an animal attack may suffer injuries that may result in permanent disability even with corrective surgery. It is for these reasons that the true value of a claim can only be determined after a victim completes full medical treatment and receives a firm prognosis from a physician. Georgia law provides in most, but not all cases, a two-year period of time in which to file a lawsuit on a claim. Therefore, a victim of a dog bite or animal attack should not be rush to a settle with an insurance company. You will only regret the settlement later when your injuries have become progressively worse.

There are other significant issues that develop for persons injured by a dog bite. For instance, if your health insurance company pays for your medical bills they will very often seek to obtain reimbursement from your settlement with the dog owner’s insurance company. There are significant limitations on their right to obtain such reimbursement. In addition, if you were on the job when the injury occurred, the worker’s compensation insurance company will try to obtain reimbursement of their payments for medical expenses and lost wages. Again, there are significant limitations on their right to receive reimbursement. These are important issues that you need to understand prior to agreeing to any settlement with the dog owner’s insurance company.

Determining the appropriate value of a claim for personal injury due to a dog bite is complicated. It involves evaluating the nature and extent of the injury, the economic losses that are recoverable, and the liability issues related to the dog attack. The location where a trial would take place and any prior injuries suffered by the claimant are issues that are also considered when evaluating a personal injury claim. Insurance companies have many tools and resources to assist them in their evaluation of a personal injury claims and their goal is to obtain the lowest settlement possible. This is why it is important for a victim of a dog bite attack to have a knowledgeable person with experience dealing with the insurance company on their behalf. Generally, it is best to retain an Atlanta dog bite lawyer who regularly handles personal injury claims and will be prepared to institute litigation on your behalf if the insurance company is unwilling to settle your claim for a fair value.

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