How To Determine Who Is Legally Liable For A Dog Bite Injury

In Georgia, over 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs yearly, and over 800,000 individuals seek medical assistance, with children accounting for half of those. We will inevitably have some unfortunate incidents sooner or later. 

Georgia has a fairly standard system for determining which party is responsible for injuries from dog bites. If a dog has injured you, it’s essential to understand how this system works and who might be liable for your damage.

Who is liable for a dog bite injury?

There are a few scenarios where someone might be legally liable for a dog bite injury. If the dog was known to be dangerous and the owner did not take proper precautions to keep the dog away from other people, then the owner may be held liable. 

If the person bitten was wandering on private property, the property owner might be held responsible. And if the person who was bitten was provoking the dog or acting recklessly, that person may be held accountable.

In any case, it is essential to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine who might be held liable for your injuries. An attorney Law Office of James T. Ponton, LLC  can help you gather evidence and build a solid case to hold the responsible party accountable.

Liability in Georgia

A few things must be considered in Georgia when determining who is legally liable for a dog bite injury. The first is whether the dog was acting in self-defense. The owner might not be held liable if the dog acted in self-defense. However, if the dog was not acting in self-defense, then the owner may be held responsible.

The following consideration is if the victim was trespassing on the property where the dog was found. If the victim was trespassing, the owner might not be held liable. However, if the victim was not trespassing, the owner may be held responsible.

The last thing to consider is whether the victim provocation the dog. Suppose the owner is not found accountable if the victim provokes the dog. However, the owner may be held responsible if the victim did not provocation the dog.

What to do if a dog bites you

You must act quickly if a dog you know has bitten you. Even if the cut appears minor, the first step is to seek medical assistance. After consulting with a medical practitioner, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to examine your legal options.

There are a few things that need to be taken into consideration when determining who is legally liable for a dog bite injury. The first is whether the dog had a previous history of biting or aggression. If the response is yes, the owner may be held accountable for any injuries resulting from the bite.

Another factor that will be considered is whether the victim was trespassing on the property where the dog was located. If the victim was not trespassing, then it is more likely that the owner will be held liable for the injuries suffered.

It is also essential to assess whether the victim provoked the dog before being bitten. If the victim was acting in a way that would reasonably cause a dog to become aggressive, then the owner may not be held liable for any damages that occur.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a dog bite, it is essential to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

How much can you get compensated for a dog bite injury?

If you’re the victim of a dog bite, you may be wondering how much you can get compensated for your injuries. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the amount of compensation you may be entitled to will depend on several factors.

For example, the extent of your injuries will vary to play a role in determining how much you can recover. Suppose you suffer serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and leave you with permanent scarring or disfigurement. In that case, you will likely be able to recover more than if your injuries are relatively minor.

Another factor affecting the compensation you can recover is whether the dog’s owner had prior knowledge that the dog was dangerous. If the owner knew or should have known that their dog was aggressive and failed to take steps to prevent it from biting someone, they may be liable for more damages than if the bite was completely unprovoked.

Finally, the state in which the dog bite occurred may also impact the amount of compensation you can recover. Some states have laws limiting the number of damages retrieved in dog bite cases, while others do not.

If a dog has bitten you, you must speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case and learn more about the compensation you may be entitled to.