Were you or a child injured in a dog attack in Alpharetta, Georgia? Contact Rafi Law Firm at (770) 758-4176 to learn how an experienced Alpharetta dog bite lawyer can help you fight for compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our attorneys have recovered over $200 million to help our injured clients get back on their feet after injuries. Dog bite injury cases can be complex, but we know the law and have the proven track record of success you need in your corner.
Why Choose Rafi Law Firm for Legal Help After a Dog Bite Injury in Alpharetta, GA?
If you were bitten by a dog, you have the right to pursue compensation. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy. Many victims quickly realize that they’re dealing with an insurance company that will downplay their losses and even attempt to blame them.
Injury victims know that hiring the Alpharetta personal injury attorneys at Rafi Law Firm sets them up for success.
Some reasons to hire us include:
- We have a proven track record of success that insurance companies recognize
- Defense teams know that we’re willing to fight for our clients at trial if a settlement isn’t fair
- Our attorneys have earned more than 300 five-star google reviews
When faced with a legal battle, our Alpharetta dog bite attorneys don’t back down. If you were injured, we’re prepared to fight for you. We offer free consultations, so you can sit down with our experienced team without any risk. Just call us today to talk about your options.
How Common Are Dog Bites in Georgia?
Roughly 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, and 1,000 Americans require emergency room treatment for dog bite injuries every day.
In 2024, Georgia dog bite victims received roughly $31.4 million in compensation for their injuries. These statistics highlight the serious physical, emotional, and financial impact dog attacks can have on victims and their families.
Does Georgia Have a One-Bite Rule in Dog Bite Cases?
Technically, no. In states with one-bite rules, dog owners are not automatically liable for injuries unless their dog has bitten in the past.
In Georgia, you don’t have to prove a dog has bitten before to recover damages. When a dog has bitten in the past, the dog can be classified as a dangerous dog. If a dog is classified as dangerous, the owner must take additional precautions to prevent it from causing additional harm.
Owners of dangerous dogs in Georgia are required to:
- Post signs warning about the dangerous dog
- Carry additional liability insurance
- Keep the dog securely confined
- Register the dog with local authorities
Georgia’s dog bite laws can be complex. It’s important to seek legal representation if you were bitten by someone else’s dog. Our attorneys are always available to discuss your case and your options.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation for Dog Bite Injuries in Georgia?
While you don’t have to prove the dog has bitten in the past, the dog’s owner won’t automatically be responsible for your damages.
Georgia has a strict liability dog bite law. That said, it doesn’t apply in all cases.
For the owner to be liable for your damages, you must prove:
- The dog is vicious or dangerous
- The dog was “at large” because of the owner’s careless management
- You did not provoke the dog bite
You may wonder how you can prove the dog was vicious or dangerous if the animal had never bitten in the past. Under the law, establishing this element can be as simple as proving the dog was required to be on a leash because of a city ordinance.
What Is Negligence and How Is It Relevant to My Dog Bite Injury Case?
Georgia’s dog bite law doesn’t apply neatly in every case. Even if the strict liability law doesn’t apply, dog owners can be held responsible for their negligence.
In legal cases, the four elements of negligence are:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care
- They breached that duty by failing to use reasonable caution
- The breach of duty allowed the dog bite to occur
- You suffered damages
For example, dog owners can be liable if they fail to keep their dog properly secured. It’s also possible that a property or business owner can be liable if they allowed the dog onto the property.
Circumstances are always important in personal injury cases. Our lawyers will carefully evaluate the facts as we’re building your case–so that we identify all possible sources of compensation.
How Much Is My Alpharetta Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
To recover compensation, you’ll also have to establish the value of your damages.
Different factors will be relevant in determining your case value, including:
- How severely you were injured
- Your current medical costs
- Long-term expenses associated with the injury
- Whether you will suffer a permanent or long-term disability
- The value of any income you’ve lost during recovery
- The emotional trauma and physical pain you have endured
- Damage to your quality of life
- Available insurance coverage
An animal attack can cause damage that lasts much longer than your physical injuries. Even if you recover, the attack can shake your sense of security. Many victims experience lasting fear and anxiety. Some even have difficulty going outside.
It’s important that your compensation accounts for all of the losses you’ve endured, even if those losses aren’t obvious.
What Kinds of Compensatory Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Alpharetta?
Dog bite injury victims typically seek two types of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages compensate for objective financial costs, including:
- ER visits, hospitalization, surgeries, therapies, and other medical expenses
- Ongoing medical bills
- Short-term disability and lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Nursing assistance
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages cover damages that are more difficult to measure–because they’re highly personal.
Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD and fear
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Damage to relationships
If the defense won’t offer a fair settlement, you can count on our attorneys to fight for every dollar.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Georgia?
Don’t let worries about the cost of legal representation stop you from hiring an attorney. Our team at Rafi Law Firm takes cases on a contingency fee basis.
We’re confident in our ability to win compensation for our clients, so we base our attorneys’ fees on the amount of money we recover. When we recover compensation, we deduct a percentage to cover our fees.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for Provoking a Dog Bite in Georgia?
Possibly. Provocation is a common defense in dog bite cases. Georgia’s strict liability laws do not apply when victims provoke dogs to bite. Assuming the defense can actually prove you did something that would provoke a dog bite, negligence theories will apply.
After blame is allocated between all responsible parties, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law, you lose your right to damages once your share of fault reaches 50%.
What Are Some Common Dog Bite Injuries?
Dog attacks can cause severe injuries–and some can be life-changing.
Our Alpharetta dog bite attorneys represent clients who have suffered:
- Crushing injuries and broken bones
- Concussions
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Facial injuries
- Eye injuries
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Infections, which can lead to internal injuries and even amputations
The dog’s owner and their insurance company may try to minimize your injuries. These efforts are meant to reduce their own financial exposure. Our attorneys won’t let these tactics work. We have the resources to compile the evidence you’ll need to prove your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Georgia?
The statute of limitations in Georgia is two years. You have two years from the date of the dog bite injury to file a lawsuit.
That doesn’t mean you should wait to consult a lawyer. Getting a lawyer involved sooner rather than later is always a good idea. Your lawyer can evaluate the facts and take steps to ensure you don’t miss the deadline.
Call an Experienced Alpharetta Dog Bite Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
If you were bitten or attacked by a dog, our team at Rafi Law Firm can help you fight for compensation. We’ve helped thousands of clients recover the compensation they deserve. Contact our lawyers today to learn how an Alpharetta dog bite attorney can help you pursue justice.
