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.
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.
