Weaver Law Firm represents injury victims in Rome. It’s pretty shocking when you’re bitten by a dog. Whether it happens at a relative’s house or Ridge Ferry Park, the pain and trauma can be pretty serious. But you have legal options, and our team can help you with them. Reach out today to set up a free consultation to talk them through.
Why Would I Need a Lawyer After Being Bitten by a Dog?
Dog bites can happen in the most everyday moments—walking the Riverwalk Trail, passing by the fountains at Town Green, or chatting with a neighbor in Oakwood. While most dogs in Rome are friendly, any dog can snap if it feels startled, threatened, or protective. Sometimes that leaves just a small mark. Other times, it means stitches, a hospital visit, or weeks of recovery.
Whether you need a lawyer really depends on what the bite has meant for you. If it was minor and didn’t cause medical bills or time away from work, you may be able to move forward without legal help. But if you’re dealing with pain, treatment costs, scarring, or lasting injury—common issues after a dog bite—it’s worth speaking with someone who knows Georgia’s rules and local courts. Here’s how our Rome dog bite team can help you:
- Look into the bite to see how it happened and who might be responsible.
- Talk with authorities to check the dog’s history or any other records available.
- Walk you through your options for filing a claim–whether that’s through insurance or a lawsuit.
No one expects to be hurt by a dog, but when it happens, knowing your legal options matters. The first step is understanding how Georgia law applies right here in Floyd County.
How Does Georgia Law Handle Dog Bites?
Georgia, like other states, has specific laws when it comes to the responsibility for injuries after a dog bite. It follows what’s known as a “modified strict liability” rule. In plain terms, that means:
- The dog’s owner can be held responsible for a bite even if the dog has never bitten anyone before—so long as the owner knew, or should have known, their dog could be dangerous.
The key question becomes whether the dog had a history of aggression, or if the owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the attack. While Georgia doesn’t have a single “dangerous dog” statute, it does have detailed rules about what it calls “responsible dog ownership.” Under these rules, a dog may be classified as “dangerous” if it:
- Bites someone without being provoked
- Seriously injures or kills another pet
- Shows aggressive behavior such as lunging, snapping, or charging at people
Once a dog in Rome—or anywhere in Floyd County—is officially labeled as dangerous, the owner has to:
- Register it with Floyd County Animal Control
- Keep it confined at home
- Use a leash and muzzle in public spaces.
- Put up visible warning signs on their property
- Keep vaccinations, like rabies shots, current
If the owner ignores these safety requirements—or if the bite happened because they weren’t being responsible—they can be held legally accountable for the costs that follow. And with a dog bite, these costs can be serious.
What Damages Can I Get in a Dog Bite Claim?
When you think about the actual mechanics of a dog bite, it’s pretty easy to see how you could get hurt. Every dog has sharp teeth and some are extremely powerful in terms of bite force. This can lead to a range of physical injuries, but it also brings hard-to-quantify emotional and psychological injuries you have to deal with. But the point of having legal protection means the ability to file a claim and recover damages. To do that, you can either:
- File an insurance claim.
- File a lawsuit.
Once your claim is filed, it unlocks several categories of damages that you might be able to recover like:
- Medical expenses – This covers the cost of care after the bite, whether that’s an ER visit, stitches, surgery, medication, physical therapy, or follow-up appointments.
- Property damage – If the attack damaged something you own—like tearing your clothes, breaking your glasses, or ruining your phone—you can have those costs covered.
- Lost income – If your injuries kept you from working, you can recover the pay you missed while you were healing.
- Pain and suffering – This includes the physical pain you’ve been through and the emotional impact of the bite, like ongoing anxiety or trouble sleeping.
- Emotional distress – If the attack left you fearful, anxious, or uneasy around dogs—or even in public spaces—you can seek damages for those effects.
- Reduced quality of life – This covers costs that come from any reduced quality of life you go through because of the bite, like if you can no longer play with your own dog.
Every case is different, but the goal stays the same—holding the dog’s owner accountable for the harm that you have gone through–and will continue to go through. Just remember: in Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of the bite to file an injury claim.
What Information Can Make My Dog Bite Claim Stronger?
Even though the law is on your side when it comes to a dog bite, the reality is that you’re going to need evidence and information for a strong claim–which will help you get a better result for your damages. Here’s what you can focus on:
- Medical records – Seeing a doctor or urgent care right away creates a clear record of your injuries. Medical notes, treatment plans, and photos of your wounds show exactly how the bite affected you physically.
- Details about the dog and owner – If it’s safe, note the dog’s appearance and get the owner’s name and contact information. This helps show who is responsible and links the dog directly to the bite.
- Official records – Filing a report with Floyd County Animal Control or the Rome Police Department creates an official record. This is important evidence if the dog has bitten before or if there are disputes about what happened.
- Pictures and videos – Take photos of the location, any fences or gates, and the path the dog took. Details like whether the dog was leashed or roaming freely and where the attack occurred help establish negligence or lack of supervision.
- Statements from witnesses – Write down the names and contact info of anyone who saw the bite happen. Witness statements can support your account of the dog bite and strengthen your case.
These things help build a detailed picture of what happened, which can make your claim stronger—whether you’re working with an insurance company or filing a legal case. Even small details, like a broken gate or an open backyard, can make a difference in proving responsibility.
Where Do Most Dog Bites Happen in the Area?
Dog bites can happen just about anywhere, but certain places in Rome come up more often—especially when dogs aren’t properly taken care of. So, here’s a few places throughout the area where dog bites usually happen:
- Homes – Many dog bites happen during casual visits to someone’s house—often with a dog the visitor thought was friendly.
- Dog parks – Off-leash play can turn dangerous when a dog becomes aggressive or an owner ignores warning signs. Ridge Ferry Park and other local spots with open grassy areas are common gathering places for dogs, but they require attentive supervision.
- Neighborhood streets – Unleashed or escaped dogs roaming around residential streets in areas like Maplewood or Garden Lakes can cause serious injuries to walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
- Public spaces – Rome’s Riverwalk Trail, Heritage Park, and Broad Street sidewalks are popular with dog owners, but a loose or poorly controlled dog in these areas can quickly cause harm.
No matter where it happens, being bitten is going to bring challenges. In the short-term, it means pain and medical bills. But further down the line, it can leave scars and psychological trauma that lasts well after the bite heals. But you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Our team will be there to support you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the dog belongs to a friend or family member?
It’s common for bites to happen from a familiar dog, and it can feel awkward. Keep in mind that most of the time, you’re dealing with the dog owner’s insurance—not the person directly. Your priority should always be your health and recovery.
How long do I have to file a claim?
In Georgia, you typically have two years from the date of the bite to take action. Acting sooner rather than later helps preserve evidence and strengthens your case.
Can I file a claim if my child is bitten?
Yes. You can file a claim on behalf of your child when they get bitten, and the statute of limitations doesn’t kick in until they turn 18. That means you have until they reach 20 to file.
Weaver Law Firm Helps Dog Bite Victims in Rome
At Weaver Law Firm, we help people in Rome and Floyd County who have been injured by a dog bite. Whether it happened on a morning walk along the Riverwalk, at a neighborhood barbecue, or even at a friend’s home, we guide you through your options. We handle the legal side so you can focus on healing, getting the care you need, and moving forward. Set up a free consultation today to get started.