Who Can Be Held Accountable for an Animal Attack in Georgia?
A walk in the neighborhood or a visit to a friend’s home could turn into a traumatic event if an animal attacks you. A dog bite or another animal attack could result in serious injuries that have long-term consequences for the victim. Many victims of these attacks are young children, who are more likely to sustain severe injuries and need medical attention following an attack.
If you or your child has suffered injuries as a result of an animal attack, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your losses, such as your medical bills, lost wages, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering.
At the law firm of R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we understand the extent of the pain and trauma that can follow an animal attack. We are here to help. We’ll take the time to get to know you and understand your needs so we can provide the best possible representation. We have a long track record of securing successful results for injured victims. We’re ready to dedicate ourselves to fighting for your rights and the financial recovery you need.
Contact us today to talk to a compassionate Georgia dog bite attorney. We want to make a positive impact on your life.
What Is Georgia’s Law for Dog Bites and Other Animal Attacks?
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According to Georgia statute §51-2-7, a dog or other pet owner may be liable for the harm inflicted by their animal if:
- The pet owner is responsible for a “vicious or dangerous animal of any kind.”
- The pet owner fails to control their animal as a result of “careless management or allowing the animal to go at liberty.”
- The injured party does not provoke the animal that bit or attacked them.
If someone’s dog bit someone in the past or showed other aggressive behaviors indicating that the dog is dangerous, they should take action to prevent their dog from harming someone. Safeguards could include keeping the dog on a leash or in an enclosure, for example. In addition to biting someone, aggressive behaviors that could indicate a dog is dangerous or vicious may include excessive growling or the animal charging or attempting to charge at other people.
An animal owner could also be held liable if they were violating local leash laws. While no statewide leash law is in place in Georgia, many cities and counties do have leash ordinances.
In addition, an animal attack victim may be able to hold a pet owner responsible for their injuries and losses by showing that the pet owner was negligent. For example, the owner may be considered at-fault for the attack if the victim went into the pet owner’s home, and the owner failed to take reasonable precautions to protect their visitor. Examples of precautions include warning the visitor not to pet their dog if the owner knew or reasonably should have known the dog was aggressive.
Broadly speaking, a responsible pet owner should know their animal’s behavior and tendencies and restrict the animal accordingly when in the presence of another person or animal.
Who Could Be Responsible for the Attack?
Every case is different, but in most cases, the person who controls the animal is responsible for a victim’s injuries and losses. “Control” may mean ownership of the animal, or it may mean someone who has primary care for the animal at the time of the attack.
Some of the parties who may be liable for a dog bite or animal attack include:
- The animal’s owners
- The landlord of a property, such as when the landlord failed to take measures to remove a dangerous animal or protect others from the dangerous animal
- The owner of the property where an animal attack occurs
- The parents of a minor who an animal attacks, such as when the parents keep an animal they know to be potentially dangerous
- The animal care facility or business, such as a dog shelter or pet store, that failed to institute and follow proper safety protocols to keep other people safe
Common Injuries Experienced in Georgia Animal Attacks
Injuries suffered in a dog or animal attack range in type and severity. However, even a seemingly minor injury, such as a scratch, could quickly become dangerous if an infection develops or if rabies is possible.
Some of the common injuries resulting from animal attacks include:
- Broken bones or crush injuries, such as when the animal grips a limb
- Neck, head, and face injuries, especially in children
- Eye injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage
- Infections and diseases, such as rabies
- Emotional and psychological harm, such as post-traumatic stress disorder
- Abrasions, lacerations, and puncture wounds
Depending on the extent of the injuries, it can take some victims months or even years to recover from an animal attack. Some injuries and emotional trauma may have lifelong consequences. What is the average settlement for dog bite cases in Georgia?
Types of Compensation for Georgia Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
The extent and the types of compensation you may be entitled to following a dog bite or other animal attack will depend on the circumstances of your case, such as the severity of your injuries, how long the injuries impact you, and whether you’re able to work. Another factor is whether you may be partially at fault for the injuries, which could reduce the compensation you receive.
You may be eligible for different types of compensation, including:
- Cost of medical care resulting from hospital stays, emergency vehicle transportation, doctor appointments, prescriptions, and more
- Lost wages, if you’re unable to work as you recover
- Lost earning capacity, if your injuries result in long-term or permanent disabilities that affect your ability to return to work
- Costs of long-term care, such as physical therapy or home care
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
In rare cases, you may also be eligible to receive punitive damages if you show that the responsible party’s actions were especially egregious or reckless. Punitive damages aren’t intended to compensate the victim, though the victim does receive the money. Instead, they punish the at-fault party and deter others from engaging in similar behavior in the future.
We Are Here For You After An Animal Attack
We understand how devastating a dog bite or animal attack can be, and we also know how overwhelming it may feel to pursue an injury claim when you’re trying to recover. At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we’re highly experienced with these types of cases. Our compassionate legal team will work hard to take the pressure of your dog bite injury case off your shoulders so that you can focus on healing.
We are prepared to investigate the circumstances of the attack to build a strong case on your behalf and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and defense lawyers to pursue the full and fair financial recovery you need to move forward. We’ll also be ready to take your case to court, when necessary, to fight for the outcome you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Georgia dog bite attorney. Call us or get in touch with us online. We’re here to help.
An Athens resident Alan Cleveland grew up in Rockdale County. As a founding partner of the personal injury law firm of R. Alan Cleveland, LLC he proudly serves his community and provides skilled representation to injury victims and their families all around Georgia. Alan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and went on to graduate, summa cum laude, from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. He is also a graduate of Gerry Spence’s renowned Trial Lawyers College (TLC) in Wyoming. In his free time, Alan frequently speaks at continuing legal education seminars. He also volunteered as a youth baseball coach and assists with Georgia’s high school moot court competition held annually. Alan serves as a Trustee of Historic Athens and is a member of the Development Authority of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County.
