Stockbridge Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog owners have a duty to maintain control over their dogs at all times. When a dog bites an adult or child, serious injuries can occur such as puncture wounds, soft tissue injuries, broken bones, and more.
If you or a family member suffers an injury caused by a dangerous dog, you might have legal recourse against the dog owner. A seasoned personal injury attorney could determine if you have a case for damages. If you do, your Stockbridge dog bite lawyer could represent you and advocate for monetary compensation on your behalf.
Statute of Limitations
In a dog bite case, just as in other Stockbridge personal injury cases, the bite victim has exactly two years from the incident date to file a lawsuit against the responsible dog owner. The primary reason for this deadline is to preserve evidence and prevent memories from becoming skewed by time.
If a bite victim chooses not to file a lawsuit within this two-year time frame, they would likely not be able to recover damages for the injuries suffered in the dog bite incident. A dog bite lawyer in Stockbridge could help satisfy outstanding notice requirements and file a timely claim for damages.
The Role of Legal Negligence
The “negligence rule” applies to dog bite incidents that occur in Stockbridge. This means that to recover financial compensation, a dog bite victim must demonstrate that the dog owner acted unreasonably or negligently. Specifically, under Official Code of Georgia §51-2-7, the bite victim must show that:
- They did not tease or otherwise provoke the dog into biting them
- The dog is a dangerous animal
- The dog’s owner failed to exercise the necessary and reasonable care towards the dog
If the dog bite victim can satisfy these legal elements, then they could recover damages. Compensation in a Stockbridge dog bite case might include economic damages for unpaid medical bills or lost wages.
Non-economic damages for losses like mental anguish damages, pain and suffering, and disfigurement may also be recovered. A Stockbridge dog bite lawyer could determine a victim’s eligibility for damages under a specific set of circumstances.
Possible Dog Owner Defenses
When a victim of a dog attack alleges negligence on the part of a dog owner, the dog owner may claim that the person bitten contributed to the incident by teasing or provoking the dog or it in some way. Qualified legal counsel could help a bite victim contest such claims and make a compelling case against the dog owner.
Call a Stockbridge Dog Bite Attorney for Assistance Today
Dog bites can cause serious harm. If you or a family member is the victim of a dog bite, legal options for pursuing compensation may be available.
A Stockbridge dog bite lawyer could speak with you about the incident and present you with legal options, including filing a claim against the responsible dog owner and pursuing damages against the negligent party. Attorneys might then be able to negotiate with an adjuster from the dog owner’s insurance company and work toward a favorable settlement for your case. Call today to get started.
