Dogs are known as “man’s best friend,” but they also bite about 4.5 million people across the country each year. These bites range from minor flesh wounds to puncture wounds that become infected, to prolonged attacks causing disfigurement or even death.
If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Warner Robins, you may be one of the 27,000 dog bite victims nationally who must undergo reconstructive surgery each year. You may be the parent of a young child who was seriously injured.
Or you may be facing months of disability and growing medical bills. But you don’t have to pay the financial price of a dog bite. Contact to a Warner Robins dog bite lawyer right away.
John Foy & Associates has a long history of helping dog bite victims get the money they need to seek treatment and move forward with their lives. We opened a small law office over 20 years ago with a single goal: to help victims of accidents and attacks.
We are now a large firm with a long string of successes, but we have never lost sight of our original mission. Our Warner Robins dog bite lawyers will give you a free consultation to talk about your case and how we can help.
Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
What Should I Do If a Dog Bites Me in Warner Robins?
Make sure you get emergency medical treatment if you need it. If your injuries are not too severe and you are able, we also suggest trying to get some information about the dog that bit you. Ask the dog’s owner or other people at the scene these questions:
- Whose dog is this, and where do they live?
- Has the dog had its shots? If the owner is present, try to find out which specific shots the dog has had, and when.
- Does this dog have a history of aggressive behavior or biting people?
Sometimes you can’t get information because the dog is roaming on its own and no one else is around. Other times, the dog’s owner will refuse to talk to you. Don’t be discouraged.
At John Foy & Associates, our investigators will gather the information we need to build your case. We will go to the scene of the bite and talk to people who live in the area and may know the dog and its owner. We will also find any public records showing that the dog has bitten people before.
Get the strong arm
How Should I Report a Dog Bite in Warner Robins?
Report a dog bite in the City of Warner Robins to these two authorities:
- The Warner Robins Police Department. The police will make a report at the scene. The police report is important evidence in your claim.
- Animal Control. Animal control is part of the police department, and the officers who respond to the dog bite can call the for you if needed. Animal Control handles animal attack reports and keeps records that can show whether the dog that bit you has a history of biting people. They may also help you identify the dog or find its owner.
What Will Happen to the Dog If I Report a Bite in the City of Warner Robins?
Most of the time, nothing will happen to the dog. Georgia law allows dogs “one free bite,” which means they won’t be put down or punished if they’ve never bitten anyone before. However, this rule may not apply if the dog has a prior history of violence or is a member of an aggressive breed that is more likely to be involved in an attack. Common aggressive breeds are:
- Pit bulls
- Rottweilers
- Dog and wolf blends
- Any breed that was created for fighting
Who Is Liable for My Injuries in a Dog Bite Case?
Dog owners sometimes try to blame the victim for the attack, but it’s the owner’s responsibility to keep the dog under control so an attack can’t happen. This might mean crating or muzzling a dog or just keeping it on a leash. When a dog bites someone, the owner has failed in his or her legal responsibility and must pay for all the damage that results.
What Damages Am I Entitled to in a Warner Robins Dog Bite Claim?
The local courts in Warner Robins must follow Georgia law, which allows you to recover money for all the consequences of a dog bite. A typical dog bite claim might include these types of damages:
- Doctor, hospital and other medical expenses
- The cost of long-term physical therapy and other types of rehabilitation
- Treatment for psychological conditions caused by the attack
- Lost wages—money to make up for the time you missed from work because of the bite
If your injuries are serious, you may also be eligible for substantial awards for pain and suffering or severe, long-term losses. An animal attack is traumatic, and money can never erase its effects. But money can ensure that you get all the treatment you need and can keep you and your family financially stable while you recover.
What If My Friend’s Dog Bit Me?
It can be hard to report a bite or file a claim when the dog belongs to a friend or relative. We know you don’t want to cause issues in your relationship, cost your friend money, or get anyone in trouble. But we also know that the money you receive through a dog bite claim can make the difference between getting the medical care you need and doing without.
Your claim is not against your friend personally, and your friend won’t usually pay out of pocket for your injuries. Instead, your friend’s insurance company will handle the claim and pay your losses.
Do I Have a Valid Claim If I Was Working on the Dog Owner’s Property?
Yes. Your rights as a hired worker are the same as anyone else’s—you can recover 100% of your costs and damages. Homeowners must provide a safe environment for people working on the property, and that includes controlling or crating dogs so they can’t bite someone. You can file a dog bite claim, or you may be able to file a workers compensation claim, giving you an even easier route to recovery.
What Will a Warner Robins Dog Bite Lawyer Cost Me?
At John Foy & Associates, we don’t believe in charging legal fees while you’re struggling with injuries and bills. That’s why your consultation is free, we charge nothing up-front, and you pay nothing at all unless we recover money for you.
If we get you a financial recovery, we’ll take our fees out at the end. We believe this is the best and fairest way to ensure that you get the most legal help at the least risk to you.
Talk to a Warner Robins Dog Bite Lawyer for Free
Many law firms that say they handle dog bite cases don’t have much experience winning them. We do. At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been helping dog bite victims get the money they deserve for more than 20 years.
We’d like to give you a free consultation to talk about your case and help you understand your options. Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
478-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form