Have you suffered injuries because of a dog bite in LaGrange, GA? If so, contact Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm at (706) 940-4030 for a free consultation. Let an experienced LaGrange dog bite lawyer help you pursue maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
We have 26 years of legal experience helping injury victims get the compensation they are owed, and we have helped these victims recover tens of millions of dollars after all types of accidents. Give our LaGrange personal injury attorneys a call today to schedule your free consultation and let us put our experience to work for you.
Why Choose Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm To Help Me After a Dog Bite in LaGrange?
The time after a dog bite in LaGrange, Georgia, can be difficult. You may be left wondering where to turn for help with your medical bills and other expenses.
Thankfully, you do not have to go through this difficult and complex situation alone. The team at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm can help you through every detail of your dog bite claim and help you hold the dog’s owner responsible for your injuries.
Clients know they can turn to our LaGrange personal injury lawyers after car accidents, dog bites, and more because:
- We have a deep understanding of Georgia’s dog bite laws.
- Our experienced team knows what it takes to get results.
- You will always get the personal attention you deserve throughout the entirety of your case.
If you have been bitten by a dog, contact us today and let us handle your claim from start to finish. Schedule your free consultation with a LaGrange dog bite attorney now.
Overview of Georgia’s Dog Bite Laws
Some states impose strict liability on dog owners for injuries resulting from a bite, while others follow the “one bite” rule. Georgia follows a modified “one bite” rule. Under Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Act, an owner can be held liable for bites if they knew or should have known that the dog was dangerous.
Dog owners could also be held liable for injuries even if the dog has no history of aggression. For instance, if the law requires that a dog be on a leash, a dog owner can be held responsible for bite injuries if they fail to keep their dog on a leash. This allows victims of dog bites additional flexibility in holding dog owners responsible and getting compensation for their injuries.
Since these rules can get somewhat complex, you should always seek help from an experienced personal injury lawyer who can fully assess the specifics of your situation.
What Is My Dog Bite Case Worth?
Every injury case is unique, and it should be evaluated based on the specific factors of your claim, such as:
- The amount of your medical bills
- The length of your recovery
- Your future medical and employment outlook
- How your daily life has been affected
- How your relationships with others have been affected
- Whether you have any permanent disabilities
- How much insurance coverage is available
- Whether you are being blamed for the incident
To get an accurate estimate of your case’s value, our Georgia dog bite lawyers can give you a free case evaluation and help you put an accurate value on your claim.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims?
Dog bite victims are entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages in Georgia. Together, these damages compensate victims for both their financial losses as well as their physical and emotional pain and trauma.
Some common examples include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Permanent scarring
- Diminished quality of life
We can help you identify all the damages to which you are entitled. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and let us go to work for you.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
Hiring a dog bite lawyer will not cost you a penny up front because dog bite lawyers typically work on contingency fees. When using a contingency fee agreement, the client does not pay the lawyer an upfront fee. Instead, the lawyer takes a portion of any money they recover for the client. If the lawyer does not win the case, the client doesn’t owe them a fee.
The percentage of the recovery due to the lawyer can vary depending on many factors, including:
- The complexity of the case
- The lawyer’s experience level
- The lawyer’s success rate
- Your location
- Whether your case settles, goes to trial, or gets appealed
You should also be aware that contingency fee agreements in Georgia must be in writing and must be signed by both the client and the lawyer. The agreement should clearly state how the fee will be calculated and list any other expenses that will be deducted from the recovery. Our Georgia dog bite attorneys can answer any questions you have in a free case review meeting.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed For a Dog Bite in Georgia?
It’s possible. You may still be entitled to recover compensation even if you share some of the blame for your accident because Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this rule, a victim may still recover compensation if they were less than 50% responsible for the accident. However, your recovery will likely be reduced by your portion of the fault.
For instance, imagine you suffer $10,000 in damages after a dog bite, but you are found to be 20% responsible for the accident. You would likely only be entitled to recover 80%, or $8,000, of your damages from the dog’s owner.
One of the first ways that dog owners and insurance companies try to avoid paying your claim is by blaming you for the accident. They will attempt to show that something you did was the reason the dog bit you. We can help shield you from tactics that try to put the blame on you.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in LaGrange, Georgia
Dog bites often cause much more than just a scratch and some minor pain. Some victims are left with permanent and life-altering injuries and scarring.
Our dog bite lawyers in Georgia will fight to get compensation for all your injuries, including:
- Puncture wounds
- Infections
- Lacerations
- Eye injuries
- Facial injuries
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of sight
- Brain injuries
- Muscle or tissue damage
By working with your doctor, we can get a full understanding of your injuries and your future medical outlook. This allows us to put an accurate value on your claim. Call us today to schedule your free consultation and let us get started.
What Causes Most Dog Bites in Georgia?
Sometimes it can be difficult to determine exactly what caused a dog to bite someone. Dogs can be unpredictable, especially those that have a history of aggression.
Some of the most common causes of dog bites include:
- Loud noises
- Sudden movements
- Territorial aggression
- Breed aggression
- Illness
- Fear
- Pain
If you have been bitten, it may not even be necessary to prove the specific reason why the dog bit you. Simply showing that the dog bit you without provocation may be enough to recover compensation for your damages in many cases.
Our seasoned personal injury attorneys in Georgia can investigate the cause of your accident and help hold the dog’s owner liable for your injuries.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Dog Bite in Georgia?
The Georgia statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is generally two years. This includes most dog bite claims. If you miss the deadline for your case, you could lose all your rights to recover any compensation for your injuries.
However, please note that some special situations may alter the deadline from the general rule to make the deadline shorter. This is why you should always get help from an experienced lawyer immediately after any type of accident.
The team at our Georgia personal injury law firm can help you determine the specific filing deadline for your claim. Do not wait until it is too late and lose your chance to recover financially from your losses.
Contact Our LaGrange Dog Bite Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered injuries because of a dog bite in LaGrange, GA, you don’t have to try to navigate the legal process alone. Contact the experienced team at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm today for help while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Our team has a firm understanding of the dog bite laws in Georgia, and we can help you hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation with a LaGrange dog bite lawyer and let us go to work for you.
