Dogs make trusted companions until a vicious attack changes everything, leaving victims with lifelong scars and trauma. The CDC and related studies estimate around 800,000 dog bite victims seek medical attention annually in the United States, with approximately 19,000 requiring reconstructive surgery each year.
At Eric Sterling Law Firm, our attorneys believe in justice. When pets attack, we know how to hold the negligent owners accountable through Georgia’s strict liability laws. Unlike states with a “one-bite rule,” Georgia makes owners responsible for their dog’s actions, even if it was the animal’s first attack. If you’ve been injured in an animal attack in Lawrenceville, reach out today to speak with one of our dedicated personal injury attorneys.
Understanding Georgia’s Dog Bite Laws and Liability
Georgia’s dog bite and animal liability laws determine when an owner is financially responsible for the harm their animal causes, and Eric Sterling Law Firm uses these statutes to hold negligent owners accountable. Key statutes include O.C.G.A. § 4‑8‑21, § 4‑8‑23, § 4‑8‑29, and § 51‑2‑7, which define dangerous and vicious dogs, outline owner duties, and establish civil liability rules in dog attack cases.
Dog owners in Georgia are expected to take reasonable care to prevent their animals from leaving their property or roaming freely, and Eric Sterling Law Firm carefully examines whether those duties were followed. Dogs must be humanely secured either inside the home or in a fence or enclosure they cannot easily escape. If the animal is not in an enclosure, they must be on a leash or under voice control within the owner’s immediate proximity. When off the owner’s property, they must be on a leash no longer than six feet.
Owners of “vicious dogs” have additional obligations, such as maintaining secure, locked kennels or pens with inward‑opening, escape‑resistant doors. At Eric Sterling Law Firm, we can analyze and document any violations of these standards to support your personal injury claim.
How Negligence Plays a Role in Dog Attack Cases
To hold a dog owner liable in Georgia under O.C.G.A. § 51‑2‑7, our attorneys generally must show that the dog was dangerous or vicious and that the owner failed to use proper care to restrain or control the animal. This typically involves proving the owner did not leash or fence the dog appropriately, failed to correct known aggressive behavior, or ignored prior signs of danger, all of which the firm investigates through records and witness statements.
Georgia law defines a “dangerous dog” as one that bites and causes substantial puncture wounds or aggressively menaces a person such that a reasonable person would fear serious injury. While a “vicious dog” is one that seriously injures a person even when the victim tries to escape.
Eric Sterling Law Firm can gather evidence such as prior incidents, complaints, animal control reports, veterinary notes, and neighbor testimony to establish that the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous and failed to act responsibly.
Common Injuries Caused By Dog Attacks
Dog attacks frequently result in severe, sometimes permanent injuries, and Eric Sterling Law Firm works to document each one fully. Victims may suffer:
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Deep lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Soft tissue tears
- Broken bones
- Tendon and ligament damage
- Nerve damage
- Facial or eye injuries
These types of injuries often require sutures, surgery, and, in serious cases, multiple plastic surgery or reconstructive procedures over time.
Beyond the visible trauma, dog bites can lead to infections or diseases (such as rabies risk or serious bacterial infections), spinal or back injuries from being knocked down, and significant psychological harm including PTSD, anxiety, and fear of animals.
Eric Sterling Law Firm pays particular attention to child and elderly victims, who face a heightened risk of fatal or life‑altering injuries, ensuring their long‑term physical and emotional needs are factored into any settlement or verdict.
Compensation Available to Dog Bite Victims in Georgia
Georgia law allows dog bite victims to pursue compensation for both economic and noneconomic damages. At Eric Sterling Law Firm, our dog bite lawyers can carefully calculate both categories on your behalf.
Economic damages can include:
- Medical bills
- The cost of hospital stays and follow‑up care
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Out‑of‑pocket expenses related to the attack
In cases involving visible scarring or deformity, the costs of plastic surgery or reconstructive procedures may also be included.
Noneconomic damages address the human impact of the attack:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability.
In the most tragic cases where an attack leads to death, Eric Sterling Law Firm can pursue a wrongful death claim for the full value of the decedent’s life on behalf of surviving family members.
In Georgia, the general statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit based on a dog bite is two years from the date of the incident, so the firm encourages victims to act promptly to protect their rights.
Contact a Lawrenceville Dog Bite Lawyer Today
If you or your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Lawrenceville or elsewhere in Georgia, Eric Sterling Law Firm can step in quickly to protect evidence and clarify your legal options. Our firm’s attorneys are experienced with Georgia’s dog bite statutes and local ordinances. We work to evaluate liability, document your injuries, and pursue full compensation from the dog owner and their insurer.
To move forward and hold a negligent dog owner accountable, reach out to Eric Sterling Law Firm at 844-48-ES LAW and speak with a Lawrenceville dog bite lawyer as soon as you are able.
