Although most dogs make wonderful companions, some animals can be unpredictable or aggressive. A canine attack often leaves permanent physical and emotional scars, and wounds from dog bites could even lead to death.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a dog attack, reach out to a compassionate attorney at Smith Hulsey. A Winder dog bite lawyer could help you seek justice and recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, physical pain, and emotional trauma.
To seek compensation for a dog attack, a plaintiff and their attorney must present evidence that their injuries are real and that a particular animal caused them. The steps an injured person takes immediately after an incident could make or break their case for compensation.
After a canine attack, take the following steps if possible:
After a dog attack, it is most important to seek medical attention immediately. Infections, soft tissue damage, and potential nerve damage all could result from untreated injuries. Additionally, medical records could be used as strong evidence that the injuries are real and resulted from the animal attack.
An injured person should also avoid communicating directly with the dog’s owner or their insurer. All communication should be handled by an experienced dog bite attorney in the area.
If an owner is careless in handling their pet or allows it to run free, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-2-7 holds them accountable for any injuries caused to other people. This law applies to any damage caused by dangerous or vicious pets so long as the victim was not teasing or provoking the animal.
Proving that a dog is vicious or dangerous could require an injured person to show that the animal had displayed aggressive tendencies in the past. If the dog has a history of biting or attacking humans or other animals, a skilled local attorney could show that the owner knew the animal posed a risk. However, even if there is no evidence that the dog had been aggressive in the past, an injured person still might be able to hold the owner liable.
If a local ordinance requires an animal to be leashed, a failure to comply with that ordinance is enough to consider the animal dangerous or vicious under the law. Winder has an ordinance that requires dogs to be restrained by a leash when they are off the premises of their owner. If an unrestrained dog injured someone in the city of Winder, a lawyer at Smith Hulsey could use the violation of the leash law to hold the owner liable.
If the dog was on its owner’s property and there was no evidence that it had ever behaved aggressively in the past, it could be difficult to prove the owner was negligent. An owner must be aware that their animal is dangerous to be liable for attacks that occur on their property.
The dog owner has a defense to liability if the injured person was on their property without permission. Similarly, a dog’s owner is not liable if the dog attacked in response to teasing or provocation. It could be challenging to secure damages for an injured person under these circumstances. To increase one’s chances of a successful claim and counter any of these defenses, it is crucial to work with a attorney experienced in handling Winder dog bite cases.
If an animal has injured you or a loved one, a Winder dog bite lawyer could provide the support and advice you need to recover. At Smith Hulsey, our legal team understands what you are going through and could help you get the justice you deserve. However, it is important to remember that there is a limited amount of time to bring a claim for damages. To preserve your rights, call and schedule a consultation today.
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