Animal Bites

Animal & Dog Bite Injury Lawyers – Georgia, Florida, North Carolina & Arizona

While we all love our pets, unfortunately, some owners don’t act in the best interest of their dogs. Dog attack incidents can occur when they are careless and do not keep their dogs under control. Moreover, dog bites can result in serious injuries that cause lasting damage.

🐾 Dog Bite Injury Claims

The statistics on dog bites are alarming. According to the Center For Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and over 800,000 require medical care. In 2019, homeowners’ insurers paid $797 million in liability claims related to dog bites and dog-related injuries. The average cost per claim was $44,760 in 2019, a 14.7% increase over the previous year. See source. From 2003 to 2019, the average cost per dog bite claim rose by 134%.

📍 Liability Concerns for Dog Owners

To establish a claim, an attorney must prove that an owner had a dog with a propensity for vicious behavior that caused an unprovoked attack resulting in an injury. Acting quickly to investigate the claim and preserve evidence is critical for legal action.

Every county in Georgia has its own ordinance, making local legal knowledge essential. For example, in Atlanta, leash laws require that dogs be properly restrained at all times. If a dog is classified as “dangerous,” the owner must:

• Post warning signs
• Implant a microchip in the dog
• Maintain a secure enclosure
• Register the dog annually
• Carry liability insurance of $50,000+

Failure to meet these requirements can lead to legal liability for medical treatment, pain, suffering, and lost wages. Insurance from homeowners, landlords, commercial premises, or specific pet liability policies may be involved in recovery.

The laws in Georgia tend to favor dog owners — not victims. See O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7 (2010). Because liability doesn’t always require outright negligence, you should work with a lawyer experienced in personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, and local ordinances.

🧾 When Is the Animal Owner Liable?

• If the dog had a known history of aggression (“one bite rule” in some states)
• When the dog was off-leash in a public area or not secured on private property
• If the attack occurred in a place where the victim was legally allowed to be
• When leash or containment laws were violated

💡 State-by-State Overview

• Georgia: Requires proof of prior aggression or a leash law violation.
• Florida: A strict liability state — owners are liable regardless of prior behavior.
• North Carolina: Follows the “one bite rule” but imposes liability for leash law violations.
• Arizona: Strict liability if the bite occurred in public or where the victim had lawful presence.

🏥 Common Injuries from Animal Bites

• Puncture wounds and soft tissue damage
• Rabies or bacterial infection
• Facial scarring or disfigurement
• Amputation or permanent disability
• Post-traumatic stress and anxiety disorders

💵 Compensation May Include:

• Emergency care and follow-up medical treatment
• Plastic or reconstructive surgery
• Psychological counseling
• Lost wages and loss of earning potential
• Pain and emotional suffering
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

⏳ Statute of Limitations

Each state imposes a deadline for filing a dog bite lawsuit:

🤝 Why Choose McGahren Law?

Our team brings decades of legal experience in handling dog bite cases and a thorough understanding of state and county ordinances. We provide compassionate, aggressive advocacy and help clients pursue full compensation for medical care, trauma, and financial losses.

Contact McGahren Law today for a free consultation about any dog bite incident and to know your legal rights. We proudly serve clients in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Arizona.

DISCLAIMER: The information herein is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For any legal matters, you are urged to take the advice of an attorney familiar with your case.