Responsibility & Compensation from Dog Bites in Morrow, GA

Being a dog owner has responsibilities that go with the territory. A primary responsibility is keeping your dog from causing harm to other people and property. Dog bites can be a serious public health hazard with obvious and not-so-obvious physical and emotional damages to the victims. Depending upon the specifics, a person bit by a dog may face infection, lifetime disfigurement, permanent disability, or even death. Because the costs associated with treating the injuries from dog bites in Morrow are often high, many dog bite victims seek medical and financial compensation. Stein & Fox LLC provides experienced representation for those who have been involved in an animal attack. Our personal injury lawyers in Morrow, GA offer free case evaluations to help you determine the strength of your case. Call us today!

Changes after a Dog Bite

After the initial shock of a dog bite subsides, victims have stated that they start to notice changes in themselves that they fear will never heal. From the way you appear to the way, you live your life-everything is different.

• Some bites cause disfigurement and scars that harm self-esteem
• Some individuals develop an intense fear of dogs
• Some people are not able to step outside for a long time following the attach
• Some people relive the attach repeatedly, leading to extreme anxiety
• Some victims develop PTSD, which causes patients to have traumatic dreams or memories about an event that interferes with their routine lives

Emotional Impact of Dog Bites on Children

The psychological and emotional impacts of dog bites are usually more serious for children compared to adults. Children are smaller in size and more vulnerable. According to experts, to be able to imagine a dog attack from the perspective of a child, an adult should imagine facing a raging, growling bear.

Children tend to notice how upset their parents or guardians become when they talk about the incident and tend to remain quiet about what they endured. This causes them to carry a heavy emotional load that can cause high degrees of anxiety, fear, and even PTSD.

Dog Bite Therapy

In order to become reacquainted with dogs, a dog bite victim will likely need specialized therapy. Sessions can initiate with one-on-one meetings with a therapist who typically helps patients surviving with past traumas and PTSD symptoms. In the course of PTSD treatment, the psychiatrist or therapist will want to identify the source of the trauma, triggers, and potential stress remedies.

As the sessions progress, the therapist may seek to introduce the patient to a canine again by bringing a friendly dog to the room. This specific step in the healing process can prove to be highly stressful but necessary to ultimately feel secure around a pooch again. The procedure of therapeutic recovery may feel frustrating to a patient who is keenly aware that they wouldn’t have had any problems being around dogs had it not been for a careless owner who was unable to control their pet on a fateful day.

Emotional Trauma Documentation

Victims of dog bites should completely document their injuries to make sure they can collect compensation for all the damages they endured. While physical scars can be seen, emotional injuries cannot. This renders documentation even more pertinent.

Patients must keep records of any drugs that a doctor prescribed to deal with emotional trauma. Also, they may show documentation on treatment by counselors or therapists to address the trauma suffered during the attack.

What You Need to Know About Georgia’s “One-Bite” Law

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that dogs bite nearly 4.5 million people on an annual basis. And approximately half of those victims are children under the age of 10. Every state has its own regulations regarding animal attacks, and Georgia is no exception. Georgia’s dog bite law is often called the “one-bite” law, and it states that a dog owner is liable for all injuries and property damages caused by a dog as long as the victim did not provoke the attack. There are not any statutes defining provocation, but most cases tend to side with the victim if the dog was known to be vicious, the dog owner was negligent, and/or they let the animal run loose without a leash.

Why Filing a Dog Bite Report Is Essential to Your Claim

There are many reasons why people often feel uncomfortable filing dog bite reports. If it was a friend or neighbor’s dog that bit you, perhaps you are afraid of something happening to the dog if you report it. While you may be tempted not to file a dog bite report with your local animal control agency, here are some reasons why you should weigh the pros and cons associated with that decision carefully:

• Legal Documentation – You may wish to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the owner of the dog in the future, especially once you receive the bills for medical treatment of your wound or injury. Having legal documentation of the incident is helpful for the insurance company’s investigation. When you file a dog bite report, it often gives you access to other pertinent information, including the dog’s vaccination records and other medical records.
• Helps Enforce Dog Bite Laws – Dog bite laws are in place for a reason. Filing an incident report helps authorities protect individuals and property from dogs who are considered dangerous by enforcing local and state dog bite laws. The dog’s owner may be required to take additional future precautions or carry extra insurance as a result of your report and the impending investigation.
• Protects Others in the Future – Filing a report helps to establish repeat behavioral issues. If the same animal is involved in multiple attacks, the authorities need to be aware of the fact for the public’s safety. Sometimes filing a report is also in the best interest of the animal. If the dog is being abused or neglected, filing a report can bring in the authorities to investigate this as well.

What to Do If You Are Bit by a Dog in the Atlanta Metro Area

Have you sustained a dog bite in the Morrow area? Seek medical attention immediately, no matter how minor the injury may appear. If left untreated, dog bites may cause rabies and other severe infections. Try to document your injury by taking photos and file an incident report with the proper local authorities as soon as possible. If the dog’s owner expresses concern, ask for their name, address, phone number, homeowner or renter’s insurance information, and details about their dog (name, age, breed, vaccination history, etc.). Take photos of your surroundings to help you identify where the incident took place. If there is a forthcoming investigation, be as cooperative as possible with the authorities involved.

Request a Free Case Review for Animal Incidents in Georgia

If you think you have a case for filing a dog bite claim, contact one of our personal injury lawyers at  Stein & Fox LLC in Clayton County for a free case review. Your case may be strengthened if a report has been filed with the proper animal control or local law authorities, you have photos of your dog bite injuries, and/or you have any witnesses to the animal attack. Because animal incidents are an incredibly complex branch of law, it is best to have experienced personal injury lawyers when dealing with such matters to help protect your rights as the victim. Don’t delay; call us today!