Dog bites can disrupt every part of your life. You might be in pain, missing work, and unsure of what to do next. At Jones & Swanson, we understand how important it is to have someone in your corner who will help you get justice.
Dog bite injuries are often serious and can result in wounds that leave long-term consequences. The dog bite lawyers in Cartersville from Jones & Swanson will treat you with care. Our firm has won more than $50 million for our clients, and we’ll fight for you.
Our personal injury lawyers in Cartersville will guide you through your case and even connect you with medical providers who work on a lien basis if you don’t have health insurance. You’ll get the care you need. Call now for your free consultation.
Why Choose Jones & Swanson?
We have chosen to keep our firm’s size small, which allows us to offer our clients the kind of personal service we believe in. At Jones & Swanson, you’ll work directly with our personal injury attorneys and staff who return phone calls, answer emails, and treat your case like it matters.
Our dog bite attorneys in Cartersville bring 50 years of combined personal injury experience to every case we handle. We are not a settlement mill or a massive law firm where your case can get lost in the shuffle. Instead, we provide compassionate, personalized counsel and make your needs a priority throughout the legal process.
We have the staff, skill, and resources necessary to take on large and catastrophic injury cases. Most importantly, we will guide you through every step of your case and explain your legal options in plain language without confusing legal jargon.
How Our Dog Bite Lawyers in Cartersville Will Help
After a dog bite injury, an insurance company may look for ways to avoid paying the damages you need. They may claim you aren’t as injured as you say, or that the owner was not responsible for the actions of the dog.
They may even try to blame you for causing the attack. When you work with our dog bite law firm in Cartersville, we will work to protect your interests and hold the at-fault owner responsible by:
- Handling all communications with the insurance company and the other party.
- Gathering evidence like police reports, medical records, and witness statements to support your dog attack injury case.
- Advising you on obtaining the dog’s rabies vaccination records
- Helping you get medical care, even without insurance
- Explaining each step of the process in clear terms
- Only suggesting filing a lawsuit if it’s the best way to seek fair damages
- Making sure you comply with important filing rules like the statute of limitations
- Answering any questions you have about Georgia dog bite law and other local laws
Damages to Pursue in a Dog Bite Case in Cartersville
When someone else’s negligence leads to a dog bite or attack, the injured person can seek various damages. Depending on your unique situation, our Cartersville dog bite attorneys may pursue any of the following damages for you:
- You may be entitled to damages for the medical expenses you incurred as a result of the dog attack.
- If applicable, we will also seek damages for medical care that you may require in the future because of the injuries you sustained.
- You may be entitled to damages for lost wages when your injuries prevented you from working.
- Our dog bite attorneys in Cartersville will seek damages for the physical pain and emotional distress you experienced as a result of the attack.
- You may also be entitled to damages for mental health treatment that you need because of emotional trauma caused by the attack.
- We will seek damages for any permanent scarring or disfigurement you suffered as a result of the dog attack.
- You may also be entitled to damages if your injuries have diminished your ability to enjoy the activities and experiences that were part of your life before the attack.
- Our team will pursue wrongful death damages and hold the owner of the dog accountable if you have lost a loved one due to a dog attack.
We understand how hard it is to manage medical treatment costs, especially without insurance. We manage clients’ care options and connect them with providers who work with injury law firms.
Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite in Georgia?
To obtain damages from a dog owner, you must demonstrate that the dog was dangerous. Additionally, you need to prove that the owner was aware or should have been aware of the dog’s behavior and failed to control the dog.
If the owner or handler did not follow a local city or county leash law, and the dog was not properly restrained when the attack occurred, that violation may help establish the dog’s dangerous nature. However, other requirements for liability may still need to be established.
The circumstances surrounding the attack are important when determining who may be responsible. Evidence of previous aggressive behavior or prior incidents may help demonstrate that the owner knew or should have known the dog posed a danger.
When the Property Owner May Be Liable for a Dog Bite
In some cases, you may have a premises liability claim against a property owner or occupier in addition to a claim against the dog’s owner. This may apply when a dangerous condition on the property contributed to the attack and the property owner or occupier had a legal duty to address the condition.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, we will investigate what happened, identify the parties who may be legally responsible, and pursue the damages you may be entitled to receive.
Pet owners have a responsibility to keep their animals under control and prevent them from harming others. When they don’t, our Cartersville dog bite lawyers will investigate the dog bite cause and help you seek justice.
Survivors Suffer Various Injuries When a Dog Causes Harm
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the decade of 2011-2021, there were 468 deaths due to dog attacks, for an average of 43 per year. Some survivors never fully recover from their wounds.
Dog attacks can result in many physical and emotional injuries such as:
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- Deep wounds and lacerations.
- Torn muscles.
- Nerve damage.
- Broken bones.
- Infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or rabies.
- Facial injuries that require surgery.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
- Post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and fear of animals.
- Head trauma if you fell during the attack.
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Our Cartersville catastrophic injury lawyers help victims with long-term or life-changing injuries pursue damages and get the care they deserve for the future. Our Cartersville dog bite lawyers will pursue damages for short- and long-term medical bills.
How Long Do You Have to Sue for Damages in Georgia?
Just like motorcycle accident, truck accident, and other auto accident claims, dog bite cases are also subject to a statute of limitations. Georgia. Code § 9-3-33 gives you a limited time to take legal action in court for damages you suffered after a dog bite or attack.
For instance:
- For personal injury cases, you typically have two years from the date of the incident to file a claim for damages.
- For wrongful death cases, you usually have two years from the date of your loved one‘s death.
In some situations, the deadline might be shorter or longer, depending on the facts of the case. That’s why it’s important to speak with our dog bite attorneys in Cartersville as soon as possible. We will review your situation, explain your options, and make sure you don’t miss your chance to seek justice.
How Much Do Our Dog Bite Lawyers Cost?
Our team pursues dog bite claims on a contingency fee basis. You owe no attorney’s fees upfront. Instead, our fee is based on the damages we win for you. If we do not win damages on your behalf, you do not owe attorney’s fees for our legal services.
This arrangement can make experienced legal representation more accessible for many victims. We will investigate the attack and pursue the damages you may be entitled to receive. Insurance companies should not be the only ones with quality legal representation.
A contingency fee arrangement also allows you to seek legal representation without taking on the financial burden of paying attorney’s fees out of pocket. You can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal work involved in pursuing your claim.
Important Steps After a Dog Bite in Cartersville
Knowing what to do after a dog bite will make a big difference in the outcome of your case. The steps you take in the hours and days afterward are significant. Our Cartersville dog bite lawyers recommend taking specific actions after a dog bite injury.
Get Medical Care Right Away
This is the most important thing. Even small bites can cause serious infections. Our personal injury lawyers will help connect you to care, even if you don’t have health insurance. We work with medical providers who treat our clients now and wait to be paid later. You won’t be left without care.
Report the Attack
Write down the dog owner’s name and report the attack to Bartow County Animal Control or the police so there’s an official record of what happened. We will help you gather all the necessary documentation and advise you on the correct procedures.
Collect Evidence
Whenever possible, take photos or videos of injuries, torn clothing, and the scene. This evidence will be vital in supporting your damages. Also, consider writing a short account of how the attack happened, while your memory is still fresh.
Talk to a Jones & Swanson Attorney Right Away
Insurance companies might try to deny or lowball your claim. Don’t talk to them before contacting us. Our Cartersville dog bite lawyers will explain Georgia dog bite law and help you make smart choices, not just fast ones.
Our Cartersville Dog Bite Lawyers Will Help You Move Forward
After a dog bite, you’re likely in pain and unsure who to trust, especially if the dog owner is pushing back on your claim or denying fault. We are here to help you get through this challenging time.
Jones & Swanson will help you recover, not just physically but legally and emotionally as well. We believe every person deserves to be treated with care and respect. Our hometown lawyers are proud to be part of the Cartersville community.
We will never treat you like just another case. Let our dog bite lawyers in Cartersville take on the hard part while you focus on healing. Call us today for a free consultation.
