People who suffer serious dog bites in Gainesville GA dog parks can hold the dog’s owner responsible in some cases. The victim could seek help with medical bills if it could be shown that the dog owner knew of the risks. The dog may have bitten or acted aggressively towards other people in the past. The dog owner could be liable after bringing a dog to an enclosed park despite the known risk.
Dog bite laws in Georgia are complex, and victims often need legal assistance in proving that a dog owner acted carelessly. A Gainesville GA Dog Bite Lawyer can help victims secure the financial support they need to get the best care available.
Who Is Responsible for a Dog Bite at a Dog Park?
Dog owners can be liable for the economic and non-economic toll of a dog bite wound. However, Georgia law doesn’t automatically place the blame on the dog owner.
Dog bite victims have to show that the dog owner knew of the risk the dog posed, especially at a dog park, before they can hope to get financial support as they heal.
Generally, dog bite victims would need to show that a few factors were involved to be able to file an injury claim or lawsuit:
- Prove the dog was dangerous (the dog may have bitten someone before or shown aggression)
- Prove the dog owner was aware of the danger
- Prove the dog owner failed to take action to keep others safe
In the case of a dog park attack, the fact that the dog wasn’t on a leash probably won’t help prove negligence. Leashes aren’t required at enclosed dog parks.
However, victims can find out and prove that a dog has bitten before or has been reported at other dog parks for aggression. It would be necessary to show that the dog owner had prior knowledge of this risk to others and still set the pet loose in the park. This type of evidence is sometimes hard to obtain, but a skilled personal injury lawyer can investigate the dog owner and dog and help you prove negligence.
Can the City of Gainesville Be Held Liable for a Dog Bite?
In most cases, no, the owners and operators of the dog park would not be able to be held liable. Most public dog parks contain signs that say “use at your own risk.” You’ll see these signs at city-owned and Hall County-run dog parks.
These are just a few of the local parks that are overseen by the government departments:
- Laurel Bark Park (operated by Hall County)
- Midland Dog Park (operated by Gainesville Parks & Recreation)
Some apartment complexes also feature dog parks for residents, which will likely also be marked as use at your own risk.
These signs get government officials and landlords out of some liability, but they don’t prevent all victims from seeking compensation after a frightening dog attack. If a city department or a property management company had complaints about a dangerous dog being allowed into a dog park and they took no action to restrict the dog and the dog’s owner from the park, there may be grounds for a victim to file a lawsuit.
Cases against government agencies or large real estate companies can be complex. They’ll have the resources to try to avoid blame. It’s a good idea to talk over your case with a legal professional before moving forward.
What Type of Support Can I Expect for My Dog Bite Injury?
Dog bite victims sometimes need every last cent out of a dog bite injury claim settlement. They may have a stack of doctor bills, with more medical appointments already set for the months ahead. They may be unable to work due to an injury to a hand or an ankle. Suddenly, their payments on normal monthly bills fall behind. Expenses such as rent, car payments, and utilities.
The healing time for dog bite wounds is sometimes hard to predict. A fractured bone broken along a jagged break can heal incorrectly, leading to an unexpected surgery in the months ahead. An infection may leave a wound open longer than normal, leading to an ugly scar or disfigurement. Physical therapy could be required for months as victims try to learn to use an injured hand again or learn to walk without a limp.
These possibilities have to be factored into the size of settlement checks, so victims aren’t left without support in the future.
Your attorney makes sure any settlement or judgment in court includes support covering:
- All Medical treatment you need after an accident
- Long-term care needs, including permanent physical disability support
- The pain and suffering you experience because of your injuries
- Emotional distress caused by a frightening dog attack
- A loss of enjoyment of life
- A loss of intimacy between spouses due to injury
- Lost wages the victim suffers, and lost future earning potential
- Travel costs going to medical appointments while you are immobile
The only way to accurately assess the value of your claim is to take the time to understand the full extent of your losses. Our dedicated Gainesville dog bite attorneys can help you understand what full and fair compensation should look like in your case.
What Type of Documents Will My Dog Bite Lawyer Need?
You should bring all of your healthcare information, including your medical records and hospital invoices. Bring your pay stubs that show the income you’d usually make and the income that you’ve missed out on while having to skip work with your injury.
Turn over the dog owner’s address and phone number if you have it. The information might include the dog owner’s homeowners or renters’ insurance policy number.
Give your lawyer the number of any witnesses you got contact information from. You may want to turn over any evidence you kept from the scene. This might include photos of the dog and your injuries. Include any bloody clothing or damaged personal items you’ve preserved.
If you don’t have some of this information, don’t worry. If you hire an attorney, your lawyer will be helping you secure the information and evidence you need to build a strong case.
Contact a Gainesville GA Dog Bite Lawyer
You might wonder if your injury is serious enough to file an injury claim against a dog owner. You might wonder if you can find the evidence you need to file and win an injury claim. Weaver Law Injury Attorneys offers an absolutely free case consultation to get your questions answered. If you’re injured, you should at least investigate your options before you face your medical bills alone.
If we can’t help you earn more for your injury, we’ll tell you that and point you in the right direction for filing a case yourself. If we can help you maximize the support you receive, you don’t have to have any money to hire us. Weaver Law Injury Attorneys doesn’t charge you anything unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the money a dog owner or a property owner must pay.