Alpharetta Dog Bite Lawyers
Dog bites can cause serious injuries, ranging from teeth and puncture wounds to broken bones and soft tissue injuries. Dog bite injuries can be even more severe when children are the victims and can result in life-long disfigurement and psychological issues.
Dog owners have a responsibility to keep their dogs under control at all times. When they fail to do so and you sustain a bite injury, you may need to hire a dedicated personal injury attorney. An Alpharetta dog bite lawyer could review the circumstances of the dog bite attack with you and may be able to file a legal claim against the at-fault dog owner.
Deadline to File a Claim
Every jurisdiction in the country has a statute of limitations in place. The purpose of these statutes is to keep memories fresh and to protect against stale evidence. In an Alpharetta dog bite case, dog bite victims have two years after the date of the incident to file a claim or lawsuit against the responsible dog owner.
If the individual does not file a claim or lawsuit within that period, they may not be able to make a claim for damages in the future. An Alpharetta dog bite lawyer could file the necessary claim or lawsuit in a timely manner and against the appropriate party.
Relevant Statutes in Alpharetta
In addition to covering dog bites, the Georgia Code also covers injuries that other animals cause. When it comes to dog bites, Georgia is a “negligence state.” Therefore, to demonstrate fault on the part of a dog owner, the claimant must be able to show that the dog owner acted unreasonably.
For someone to prevail in a personal injury case, they must be able to show:
- That the dog is a vicious or dangerous animal
- That the dog owner did not exercise the proper care of the dog or let the dog roam around at large
- That the bite victim did not tease or otherwise provoke the dog
Moreover, if the dog owner violates a leash law, the Georgia Code presumes that the dog is vicious. In addition to proving fault on the part of the dog owner, the person must also be able to show that they sustained injuries in the attack.
Defenses Owners Might Use
Dog owners may be able to raise one or more legal defenses in response to a dog bite claim. Specifically, the dog owner may not be liable if they did not allow their dog to roam at large or if the dog owner had no prior indication that their dog was vicious. A dog owner may also allege that the bite victim provoked or teased the dog.
Working with an Alpharetta Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog bites can cause serious lacerations, wounds, and other injuries. If you suspect that a dog owner acted unreasonably under the circumstances, you may be able to take legal action against them. Through legal action, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation for your injuries, pain, suffering, and emotional distress. An Alpharetta dog bite lawyer could review your case with you and lay out your legal options. Set up a free, no-obligation consultation to begin exploring your options.
