Columbus Dog Bite Attorney

Georgia law gives victims of dog bites a path to compensation, but it isn’t automatic. Unlike some states, Georgia generally requires showing the owner knew the dog was dangerous or was breaking a leash law when the bite happened. That extra requirement is where many claims fall apart, especially when people try to handle them alone and without legal representation.

A Columbus, GA dog bite attorney knows what evidence the law demands and how to find it. Reach out to our team of Columbus personal injury attorneys today to schedule your free case evaluation. 

Why Choose Bridger Law Group for Your Dog Bite Case? 

Dog bite cases in Georgia are based on evidence, and finding that evidence is best done with the help of a lawyer. Bridger Law Group brings: 

• More than 4,000 cases and clients handled
• Over $60 million recovered in settlements and verdicts
• More than 20 years serving our community

Numbers like these come from treating each case with the care it deserves. Call today and let us show you what that means for your case.

Why You Need a Lawyer After a Dog Bite in Columbus 

If you’re bitten by a dog, you may need more evidence than you would expect to recover compensation for your injuries, making these cases hard to win alone. Our team of legal professionals in Columbus, GA can help. 

• A lawyer determines whether a local leash or restraint ordinance was being violated, which can be evidence that the owner behaved negligently. 
• A lawyer documents your full damages, including treatment, counseling, and timed miss from work, so the claim accurately represents what you’ve experienced. 
• They handle the homeowner’s insurance company, which may look for reasons to argue the owner had no way of knowing the dog was dangerous. 

Without the right evidence, even a serious bite can result in a denied claim. Work with an injury lawyer as soon as possible.

How Does Georgia’s Dog Bite Law Work?

Under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, the injured individual generally has two paths to holding an owner liable after a dog bite. 

The first path is showing the dog was dangerous or vicious and the owner knew it. This usually means proving the dog had shown aggression before, whether through a previous bite or other threatening behavior the owner witnessed or was told about. 

The second path is simpler and often overlooked, and includes showing that the owner was violating a leash law or restraint ordinance when the attack happened. 

A violation of an applicable leash or restraint ordinance can help establish the dog’s dangerous propensity, but the plaintiff still generally must show that the owner knew the dog was unrestrained in violation of that ordinance. This makes local ordinances one of the first things to check in any Georgia dog bite case. 

What Injuries Can a Dog Attack Cause?

Dog bites can cause significant injuries. Some of the most common ones include: 

• Puncture wounds 
• Lacerations 
• Tearing injuries that require stitches 
• Nerve damage 
• Broken bones that may have been caused by a fall after the bite 
• Facial injuries 
• Permanent scarring 
• Emotional trauma 

The full cost of these injuries isn’t always obvious immediately, so it’s important to make sure you don’t accept an offer too soon. Documenting everything, from the first ER visit through the end of treatment is critical. 

How Can You Prove the Dog Owner Knew the Dog Was Dangerous? 

Proving the owner’s knowledge is usually the hardest part of a Georgia dog bite case. Owners typically aren’t going to admit that they knew their dog was dangerous. Useful evidence includes: 

• Animal control records showing prior complaints, citations, or reports about the dog
• Accounts from neighbors, mail carriers, or delivery drivers who saw the dog act aggressively or were threatened by it before
• Prior bite reports from other people, even if they weren’t reported, if witnesses can confirm these instances
• The owner’s own statements, including social media posts 
• “Beware of Dog” signs, fencing, or muzzles, which can indicate the owner understood the risk
• Veterinary or grooming records noting aggressive behavior during visits
• Complaints made to a landlord or HOA about the dog before the attack

Finding this evidence isn’t as simple as it might seem at first, which is where a lawyer comes in. If the dog was running loose in violation of a local ordinance, the owner’s knowledge of the dog’s temperament becomes much less important.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Dog Bite in Columbus?

If your claim succeeds, compensation should account for everything the attack has cost you physically and emotionally. Depending on your injuries, that can include:

• Emergency care and follow-up medical treatment
• Future procedures, like scar revision surgery
• Counseling for emotional trauma, especially for children
• Lost wages from time away from work
• Pain and suffering

Most of these claims are paid through the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. If you aren’t able to get a settlement that is adequate, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit to try to recover what you deserve. 

How Long Do You Have to File a Dog Bite Claim in Georgia?

Georgia generally gives you two years from the date of the attack to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t file it in time, you will lose your right to recover compensation for your losses. This might sound like a long time, but the sooner you start collecting evidence, the better. The longer you wait, the harder it generally is to make sure you have access to all necessary evidence and witness accounts.

Speak With a Columbus Dog Bite Attorney Today

The details surrounding a dog attack can fade quickly. Records get harder to track down, and the owner’s story may change as time passes. Acting soon after the bite allows you to get evidence while it’s fresh, and make sure you don’t miss out on anything important to your claim. Call our office at (404) 482-3330 to go over what happened, and we’ll discuss your next steps with you.