Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

Animal attacks can be vicious and cause serious permanent injuries. The damages caused by animal attacks include physical and emotional damage as well as many hidden costs to communities. Animal attacks can cause disfigurement, infection, permanent disability and may even be life-threatening. Atlanta injury lawyers can help you receive compensation for your injuries following an animal attack.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has shown that approximately 4.5 million people are bitten each year by dogs. In addition 334,000 people are admitted to emergency rooms each year due to dog bites. Half of the dog bite victims are children under the age of 12. The Center for Disease Control found that in 1997-1998, 27 people died from dog bites, and that 19 of them were children under 15 years of age.

If you or someone you know has been attacked by an animal you should contact an attorney with experience in these types of claims. Our attorneys at Link & Smith, P.C. have handled many claims involving vicious animals and we are ready to speak to you about your claim.

Annual estimates are that homeowners claims for animal attacks exceed $1 billion. In addition an estimated $102.4 million dollars in hospital expenses are incurred for dog bite-related emergency visits each year. The law in Georgia states that a dog owner will be liable for injuries and property damage caused by a dog if the attack was not provoked if any of the following exist:

The dog was vicious or dangerous and the owner was negligent (guilty of “careless management”);

—or —

The dog was vicious or dangerous and the owner let the dog run loose (“go at liberty”).

In determining “careless management,” Georgia court opinions place weight on the dog owner’s superior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous temperament. A dog is considered vicious if it had previously injured a person in a manner similar to the attack in question. Also a dog may be considered vicious under the law if the dog was required by law to be on a leash, but was not at the time of the attack.

After an animal attack there are several steps you should take. First, receive medical attention. For severe injuries you should call 911 and follow the instructions of the paramedics until help arrives. If an ambulance or emergency care is not needed it is still important to receive some sort of medical attention.

Emergency clinics and doctors can give you advice on your minor or major injury. Rabies is still prevalent in many animals and it is possible for humans to become infected if they have not received proper immunization. Doctors can offer antibiotics or a rabies vaccine series to those who have been attacked by a rapid animal.

Facial injuries require immediate medical attention directly following an animal attack. Speedy medical treatment can make a drastic difference in the outcome of the injury. To minimize scarring it may be necessary to see a plastic surgeon.

Next, it is crucial to report the attack to your local animal control center. Tell the center everything you can remember about the animal, so control officers can find the animal and take action. It is important to receive the owner’s name (if applicable), color/size of an animal, and location where the animal attacked.

After an animal attack you should obtain the owner’s name, address and telephone number and immediately seek medical attention. A skilled Atlanta injury attorney will want to speak with any witnesses and obtain the dog’s history from the local animal control agency, thus you should try to obtain the dog’s license information. Over time your cuts and abrasions will heal therefore you should take pictures of the injuries (bruises, cuts, scrapes, stitches or scars).

It is important to contact an Atlanta injury lawyer regarding your case. The Georgia Civil Statute of Limitations gives victims with personal injuries, like animal attacks, up to two years to file a claim. This is plenty of time to file suit, but the sooner you report the attack the better. Evidence and witnesses may fade the longer you wait to make a claim.

There are many complex legal issues involved in an animal attack claim, therefore you should seek an attorney with experience in handling animal attack cases. Our attorneys at Link & Smith, P.C. have many years of and we have the skill and knowledge to successfully represent your in your animal attack claim. For a free consultation with one of our attorneys contact us toll free at 404-315-8840.