How Common Are Dog Attacks?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year across the United States. The AVMA also notes that about 1 in 5 people with dog bite injuries need medical attention for their injuries. In Gwinnett County, dog attacks occur in neighborhoods, parks, sidewalks, and even inside homes when owners fail to properly restrain their animals.
Are Certain People More Vulnerable to Dog Bites?
The AVMA reports children are the most common victims of dog bites and tend to suffer more severe injuries. Children are shorter than adults, which places them closer to a dog’s teeth. Children also weigh less than adults, making it easier for dogs to knock them down and inflict serious injuries. Children are likelier to startle or provoke a dog because they do not always recognize when it is safe to approach an animal they do not know.
Older adults are also more likely to suffer severe injuries from dog bites. Their bodies are more fragile and susceptible to injuries. They are likelier to lose their balance and fall when a dog attacks, putting them at risk for additional injuries. Adults with dementia or other neurological disorders might inadvertently incite a dog to attack because they are not fully in control of their actions.
What Injuries Can Result from Dog Attacks?
Dog attacks frequently cause injuries that range from minor to life-threatening. The force of a dog bite can cause deep puncture wounds, severe lacerations, and tissue damage that requires surgical repair. When a dog attacks the face, neck, or head, the injuries can be disfiguring and may require multiple reconstructive surgeries. Dog bites to the head and face can also cause traumatic brain injuries when the victim falls or when the bite directly damages the skull.
Common injuries from dog attacks in Lawrenceville include:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Crush injuries to hands, arms, and legs
- Broken bones from falls or bite force
- Nerve damage causing numbness or loss of function
- Tendon and ligament tears
- Facial injuries and permanent scarring
- Eye injuries, including blindness
- Infections, including rabies and bacterial infections
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety
Dog bite infections pose a serious health risk because a dog’s mouth contains bacteria that can cause severe infections when introduced into a wound. Without prompt medical treatment, dog bite infections can spread rapidly and may require hospitalization or surgery.
What Safety Regulations Must Dog Owners Follow in Lawrenceville?
The Gwinnett County Animal Control Ordinance establishes the safety regulations dog owners must follow in Lawrenceville. These rules are designed to protect the public from dangerous animals, and a violation of these regulations can be evidence of negligence in a premises liability or dog bite case. The law includes the following provisions:
- Dog owners must take “reasonable care and precautions” to prevent their dogs from leaving their property.
- Dogs are not allowed to roam free.
- Dogs must be securely but humanely secured while on the owner’s property, either inside a house or outside in an enclosure they cannot easily escape from.
- If the dog is not enclosed but is still on the owner’s property, the owner must keep the animal on a leash or under voice control in its “immediate proximity.”
- Dogs not on their owner’s property must be secured by a leash not longer than six feet.
- Owners of “vicious dogs” must take extra precautions if they keep the dog outside. These precautions must include a fenced-in area for the dog and a kennel or pen with an inward-opening door that is locked whenever someone is not attending to the dog’s needs.
How Can I Prove Liability in a Georgia Dog Bite Case?
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7), anyone who keeps or owns a “vicious or dangerous animal” is liable for any injuries the animal caused if the injuries occurred due to the owner’s carelessness or because the owner allowed the animal to run free.
“Vicious or dangerous” animals can include dogs. A leash law violation is enough to show a dog could be dangerous. In other words, you likely have a case against the dog’s owner if you were not on their property when the dog bit you.
Proving liability is more difficult if a dog bites you on its owner’s property. In these circumstances, you generally must show you did not provoke the dog before you can recover compensation. You might also have to show that the dog’s owner acted negligently, or the dog had a history of aggressive behavior. A Lawrenceville dog bite lawyer at Butler Kahn can explain the potential challenges in your case and help you gather the evidence needed to prove the owner’s liability.
What Compensation Can I Recover Through a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Georgia?
Dog bite victims in Lawrenceville may be entitled to compensation for the full extent of their injuries and losses. Because dog attacks frequently cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, and psychological trauma, these cases often involve substantial damages. Your potential compensation from a dog bite lawsuit may include money for:
- Any medical expenses related to the incident, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and ongoing treatment
- Your lost wages while you heal
- Your reduced future earnings due to your injuries
- Your physical pain
- Your emotional distress
- Your diminished quality of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Costs of plastic surgery or reconstructive procedures
Many people are understandably reluctant to claim compensation after being bitten by a dog owned by a friend or relative. However, you should understand that homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies typically cover dog bites. In other words, the money is provided by the owner’s insurance provider, not by the owner personally. Our Georgia personal injury lawyers can explain how insurance coverage works in your specific situation.
What is the Deadline for Filing a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Lawrenceville?
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), you generally have two years from the date when a dog attacks you to file a personal injury lawsuit. Two years might sound like a long time, but waiting too long to talk to a lawyer could compromise your case and reduce your compensation. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and the dog’s owner may relocate or dispose of the animal. The sooner you speak to an attorney about the attack, the more they can do to help.
What Should I Do if a Dog Attacked Me?
The steps you take immediately after a dog attack can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Here is how you can protect your right to compensation after a dog bite in Lawrenceville or elsewhere in Gwinnett County:
- Secure the dog if you can do so safely.
- Look for the dog’s collar, ID tag, or other identifying information.
- Contact the dog’s owner and get their name, address, phone number, and insurance information.
- Take pictures of the dog and any injuries you sustained.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Report the attack to Gwinnett County Animal Welfare.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Save all your medical records and receipts.
- Do not give any recorded statements to insurance companies.
- Stay off social media and do not post about the incident.
- Consult with a dog bite lawyer as soon as you can.
Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Gwinnett County
Butler Kahn represents dog bite victims throughout Gwinnett County and the greater Lawrenceville area. Dog attacks can happen anywhere—in residential neighborhoods, apartment complexes, parks, shopping centers, and along sidewalks near busy roads like State Route 316, Sugarloaf Parkway, and Lawrenceville Highway. We handle dog bite cases in:
- Lawrenceville
- Snellville
- Duluth
- Suwanee
- Buford
- Lilburn
- Norcross
- Grayson
- Loganville
- Dacula
- Sugar Hill
- Peachtree Corners
- Berkeley Lake
- Rest Haven
If you were bitten by a dog near Sugarloaf Mills, at a park along Scenic Highway, or in any neighborhood in Gwinnett County, our Lawrenceville office is conveniently located near the Gwinnett County Courthouse to serve you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Bites in Lawrenceville
Do I have a case if the dog has never bitten anyone before?
Yes, you may still have a case. Georgia law does not require proof that a dog has bitten someone before. If the owner violated a leash law, failed to properly secure the dog, or knew the dog had aggressive tendencies, you can recover compensation even if this was the dog’s first attack.
What if the dog bite happened on the owner’s property?
You can still recover compensation if the dog bite occurred on the owner’s property, but you generally must show that you did not provoke the dog and that you had a lawful reason to be on the property. Visitors, mail carriers, delivery drivers, and guests typically have valid claims if they are attacked while lawfully present.
Should I report the dog bite to animal control?
Yes, you should report any dog bite to Gwinnett County Animal Welfare. Reporting creates an official record of the attack, which can be important evidence in your case. Animal control may also quarantine the dog to check for rabies and investigate whether the dog has a history of aggression.
How much does it cost to hire a Lawrenceville dog bite lawyer?
Butler Kahn handles dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We also offer free consultations, so you can discuss your case with us at no cost or obligation.
Will filing a claim ruin my relationship with the dog owner?
Most dog bite claims are paid by the owner’s homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy, not by the owner personally. Filing a claim is simply a way to access the insurance coverage that exists for exactly this type of situation. Many of our clients maintain their relationships with dog owners after the case is resolved.
What if I was partly at fault for the dog attack?
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault for your injuries. Your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you do not lose your right to recover entirely.
Can I recover compensation if the dog owner has no insurance?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation from an uninsured dog owner by filing a lawsuit and obtaining a judgment against them. Additionally, if you were attacked on commercial property or in a rental unit, other parties such as landlords or property owners may have insurance that covers the incident.
What if I don’t know who owns the dog that bit me?
If you cannot identify the dog’s owner, a lawyer can help investigate. We may be able to identify the owner through animal control records, witness statements, neighborhood canvassing, or surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses.
How long will a dog bite lawsuit take?
The timeline for a dog bite lawsuit depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, whether you are still receiving medical treatment, and whether the insurance company disputes liability. Some cases settle within a few months, while others may take a year or more if a trial becomes necessary.
Can I sue if my child was bitten by a dog?
Yes, parents or guardians can file a dog bite lawsuit on behalf of a minor child. Because children often suffer more severe physical and psychological injuries from dog attacks, these cases frequently involve significant compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
What if I was bitten by a stray dog?
If a stray dog bit you, you may be able to recover compensation from a property owner who allowed the stray to roam on their property or from a municipality if the attack occurred in a public area where the local government knew about the dangerous dog but failed to act.
Do I need to get a rabies shot after a dog bite?
Whether you need rabies treatment depends on the circumstances of the bite and the vaccination status of the dog. Seek medical attention immediately after any dog bite. A doctor can evaluate your risk and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include a tetanus shot or rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
Our Lawrenceville Office
Butler Kahn – Lawrenceville Personal Injury Lawyers
245 W. Crogan Street
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Phone: (678) 400-6166
Our office is located in downtown Lawrenceville, near the Gwinnett County Courthouse and Lawrenceville Square. We serve dog bite victims throughout Gwinnett County, including clients who need treatment at Northside Hospital Gwinnett or other local medical facilities.
The personal injury attorneys at Butler Kahn are prepared to defend your rights and help you demand fair compensation for your injuries. If you were injured in a dog attack in Lawrenceville or anywhere in Gwinnett County, we can provide a free consultation, review your options, and discuss the role we can play in your recovery. We take fewer cases on purpose so we can do deeper work on each one, and we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial.
Contact Butler Kahn by calling (678) 400-6166 or contact us online for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
