Georgia’s Dog Bite Laws Explained
In Georgia, a person who a dog has bitten can seek compensation from the animal’s owner under specific circumstances. The victim could seek compensation for pain and suffering from the attack, as well as medical bills and other financial losses. Compensation could also include punitive damages if the dog’s owner acted with willful disregard for safety.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at Georgia’s dog bite laws and how they might apply to you. If a dog has bitten you, don’t hesitate to call the experienced Georgia dog bite lawyers at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC. We could discuss your situation, explain your rights under Georgia law, and let you know what compensation might be available in your case.
Get in touch with our dog bite injury law firm today for your free consultation.
Contents
- 1 Georgia Law Holds a Dog Owner Responsible
- 2 The ‘First Bite Rule’ in Georgia
- 3 Careless Management Rules
- 4 Legal Definitions Used in Georgia Dog Bite Cases
- 5 Expenses and Damages Paid by a Dog’s Owner
- 6 Damages That Can Be Recovered After Being Bitten by a Dog in Georgia
- 7 Get Help from an Experienced Georgia Dog Bite Lawyer
Georgia Law Holds a Dog Owner Responsible
Under Georgia law Section 51-2-7, the owner of a dangerous dog could be liable if their pet attacks and injures someone. However, it’s important to know that there are some limitations on when injured people can pursue compensation. For example, someone injured by a dog may not be able to receive compensation if they provoke a dog, leading to an injury.
The ‘First Bite Rule’ in Georgia
The first bite rule is a familiar rule used across the country. It generally says the dog owner is liable for a dog bite injury only when they knew or reasonably should have known their dog was dangerous. For example, suppose someone is bitten by a dog that has never bitten before or shown aggressive tendencies. In that case, a bite victim might not be able to receive compensation for their injuries.
Georgia uses a modified version of this rule that takes the management of a dog into account.
Careless Management Rules
Dog owners must manage their dogs according to state and local rules. That could mean keeping the dog on a leash, keeping it contained in a yard, or otherwise managing the dog’s behavior.
If the dog owner doesn’t effectively manage the dog and it hurts someone, they could be liable for any resulting injuries. Even if it’s a dog’s first time biting someone, the liability issue remains the same if the owner was careless in their management of the dog.
Legal Definitions Used in Georgia Dog Bite Cases
If you need to bring a dog bite compensation case, you may hear many different and unfamiliar terms. Some of the common terms and definitions you may come in contact with include:
- Dangerous dog – Under Georgia law Section 4-8-21, a dangerous dog is one that acts in specific ways. They could cause a substantial puncture wound, cause someone to reasonably believe they may suffer serious injury, or they could kill a pet animal while they’re off their owner’s property. In certain cities in Georgia, a Pitbull, a Rottweiler, or a Doberman Pinscher may be considered potentially dangerous dogs. In other cities, they are not.
- Vicious dog – The term vicious dog is also defined under Section 4-8-21. A vicious dog is one that causes serious injuries to a person. A dog could also be vicious if it seriously injures someone trying to escape a dog’s attack.
- Exceptions to the statutes – If you need to bring a claim because a dog injured you, it’s important to know that there are several exceptions built into Georgia law.
For example, if a dog kills a pet while off its owner’s property, the dog isn’t classified as dangerous in some cases. For instance, they won’t be considered dangerous if they work or train as hunting, herding, or predator-control dogs.
It’s also important to know that dogs used by law enforcement or the military cannot be classified as dangerous or vicious. Finally, if a dog injures someone who was trespassing, abusing the dog, or committing another offense, the dog would not be classified as dangerous or vicious.
Expenses and Damages Paid by a Dog’s Owner
When an owner is liable for their dog’s actions, they could be required to compensate you for your injuries. These injury-related expenses can add up fast. For example, after a dog attack, you could be facing severe injuries that could require surgery, or even plastic surgery to repair. There could be a risk for bacterial infections because of the bite. That means the costs of a dog bite can quickly grow, leaving an owner with significant liability for the damage their dog causes.
In many cases, homeowners’ liability insurance may cover this compensation. Whether insurance will come into play will depend on the facts of the accident, the owner’s actions, and any limitations on the policy.
In many dog bite cases, a neighbor, friend, relative, or other acquaintance owns the dog in question. Some victims may be reluctant to bring a claim against someone they know. Keep in mind that insurance typically covers these claims, meaning money does not come directly out of the dog owner’s pocket. What is the average settlement for dog bite cases in Georgia?
Damages That Can Be Recovered After Being Bitten by a Dog in Georgia
After a dog bite, you could be facing medical bills, lost work, and long-term impairments from your injuries. Under Georgia law, you may be able to recover many different types of compensation. These include:
- Coverage of medical costs related to the bite
- Compensation for future medical expenses you will likely incur because of your injuries
- Lost wages and lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
Get Help from an Experienced Georgia Dog Bite Lawyer
If someone else’s dog attacked you, get in touch with the Athens personal injury lawyer at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC now. Our experienced dog bite lawyers have a track record of success and decades of experience serving injury victims. We’re ready to help you with a free consultation about your case.
After a dog bite, there is no time to try and do things on your own. Let our professionals help. We can help take the stress off you and seek the compensation you deserve. Call us or reach out to us online now for your free no-obligation consultation.
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.
