Dogs can cause many significant injuries if they become aggressive. A dog’s bite power can be enough to cause serious physical damage and disfiguring scars. Larger dogs may knock people down, leading to broken bones or brain injuries.
The tapered puncture wounds caused by a dog’s teeth can harbor bacteria, leading to severe infections. Dog bite injuries can cause nerve damage and emotional trauma. The people attacked can have significant medical expenses and even lost wages to consider.
The dog bite incident may also cause significant property damage in some cases. Destroyed clothing, damaged jewelry and broken electronics are all possible when a dog becomes aggressive. The total long-term costs of a dog by incident could reach as high as tens of thousands of dollars or more.
Who generally pays for the cost of a canine attack?
Owners are sometimes liable
Georgia’s dog bite liability laws extend a degree of grace to people with companion animals. The law includes a one-bite rule. Typically, a dog needs to have a history of aggression for an owner to face liability for a dog bite incident.
However, there are exceptions to the one-bite rule. If the dog has displayed aggressive behavior before without actually biting someone, then the owner may have reason to recognize that it could be a dangerous animal. Additionally, if the owner fails to comply with key regulations, such as keeping the dog on a leash at a public park, then they may be liable for any damages the animal causes to others.
Frequently, homeowners insurance helps cover the cost of a dog bite incident. People injured on private property can make use of premises liability coverage carried by the property’s owner or even the tenant that lives there. Renters insurance can potentially cover dog bite incidents as well.
The coverage tends to follow the covered person, meaning that insurance may apply even if the dog bite attack occurs at a park or on public sidewalks. Frequently, although insurance coverage is available, filing a lawsuit may be necessary to obtain a reasonable settlement. While people may feel anxious about initiating legal action against a neighbor or friends of their family, the lawsuit may be necessary to ensure that insurance provides appropriate coverage.
People unsure of their rights after a dog bite incident may need help evaluating their options. Reviewing the circumstances leading to a dog bite attack and the consequences of the incident with a skilled legal team can be beneficial for those hoping to secure compensation.
