Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyers
Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyers
Our Attorneys Will Fiercely Fight For You
We know how devastating a dog bite or animal attack can be, both for your body and for your peace of mind.
Whether you or someone you love has been injured, the physical wounds can range from painful bites to life-changing scars and disabilities. But the emotional impact—fear, anxiety, and trauma—can linger long after the physical injuries have healed, often making the return to normal life challenging, if not impossible.
Do you have a case?
Our Experience Pays®
We fight for maximum compensation
Our experienced attorneys know the immense physical and financial toll a dog bite injury can take on an individual and their family. We are committed to getting our clients the compensation they deserve.
We Work for You
Our attorneys and legal professionals make sure to keep you in the loop on your cases. We will never make a major decision without your input. We answer all your questions and return all calls and emails in a timely manner. We value what our you have to say about you own case, and we work for you.
At Montlick, we understand the overwhelming stress dog attacks can cause. Since 1984, we’ve been standing up for victims of dog bites and animal attacks, ensuring negligent owners are held accountable. Our team is committed to securing the financial compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional toll of the experience—because you shouldn’t have to bear these burdens alone.
When you choose Montlick, you’re not just hiring lawyers—you’re gaining compassionate advocates who will fight to protect your rights, restore your peace of mind, and get you the resources you need to heal.
The injuries from these attacks can range from minor scarring to severe, disfiguring wounds or disability. The emotional trauma can last a significant amount of time—even a lifetime. If you or someone you love has experienced a dog bite or other animal attack due to the negligence of an owner, Montlick is here to help.
Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers draw on our experience successfully representing dog bite and animal attack victims since 1984. We hold negligent owners accountable for the harm their dangerous animals inflict on victims, while pursuing the most money for our clients.
Dog Bites Attorneys in Atlanta
Georgia Dog Bite Laws
Georgia’s dog bite law is often referred to as the “one-bite” rule. In Georgia, the law provides that a dog owner will be liable for injuries and property damage caused by a dog if the attack was not provoked—Georgia law does not provide a statutory definition for “provocation”—and any of the following also exist:
- The dog was vicious or dangerous and the owner was negligent (guilty of “careless management” of the dog) or
- The dog was vicious or dangerous and the owner let the dog run loose
In determining “careless management,” Georgia courts place weight on the dog owner’s superior knowledge of the dog’s temperament and characteristics. The court considers a dog “vicious or dangerous” if it had previously injured a person in a similar manner as the current victim. A dog may also be considered “vicious or dangerous” if the dog was required by law to be at heel, but was not, or if the dog was required by law to be on a leash but was not. This law applies to all animals in Georgia but creates an exemption for the bites of domesticated fowl and livestock.
The Powerhouse Firm that Puts You First®
Your best interest will always be our primary focus. If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and need a Personal Injury lawyer, Call 1-800-529-6333 or dial #WIN® (#946) from your mobile phone.
Can You Sue or Bring a Claim for a Dog Bite in Atlanta?
Under Georgia’s 2012 Responsible Dog Owner Act, dog owners can be held responsible when a dog under their control injures someone, or another animal. “Owner” is defined as anyone with custody of the dog when it attacked, which means that veterinarians, dog walkers, petsitters, groomers or boarders can be held responsible if the attack happens on their watch.
To have a case, a victim’s injuries generally must go beyond a simple scratch or small bruise. The state defines serious injuries as physical injuries that:
- Are fatal or life-threatening
- Require hospital admission, multiple sutures, or surgery
- Cause broken or dislocated bones
- Impair health through infection or contagious disease
You may have a strong case if a dog has already been classified as a “vicious dog” when the bite occurs or even if it happens after the bite occurs. Owners of “vicious dogs” must adhere to the following rules:
- Register the dog with a “vicious dog” certificate.
- Get the dog microchipped
- Maintain a secure enclosure on the owner’s property to contain the dog.
- Post “vicious dog” warning signs at every entrance to the property.
- Avoid taking the dog off-property, but using a crate or muzzle and leash shorter than six feet when doing
- Never leave the dog unattended with a minor.
- Notify officials within 24 hours if the dog is on the loose or attacked a human
- Never sell, donate, or transfer the dog unless it is to an authorized facility for euthanasia
In addition to being held responsible for a bite, owners who do not comply with these rules can face an aggravated misdemeanor charge and have their dog confiscated temporarily or sometimes permanently. . If the dog has caused another serious injury, the owner can face a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Sometimes the State may determine that the dog has to be put down, depending on the particular facts surrounding the incident.
Atlanta Dog Bite Injury Lawsuit Lawyers
We Battle Big Insurance
A primary goal of insurance companies is to minimize, delay, and deny your claim. Insurance companies often take advantage of the emotional and financial stresses following a dog bite injury in an effort to get individuals to settle for less than what they deserve under the law. We deal directly with the insurance companies so you don’t have to. Our attorneys navigate the complex and often intentionally confusing insurance claim landscape so our clients can focus on healing.
Prioritize Protecting Your Rights
Insurance companies know that you having legal representation is bad for their bottom line. An Insurance Research Council study found that:
- 85% of personal injury claim payouts from insurance companies went to personal injury victims represented by legal counsel.
- On average, personal injury victims with lawyers received 300% more financial compensation than those who did not retain legal representation.
Having experienced legal representation by your side in your dog bite case can significantly increase your chances of success and receiving the financial compensation you deserve.
What to Do Immediately After Being Bitten by a Dog in Atlanta
An animal bite victim can help protect his or her rights by taking these steps:
- Get medical attention right away
- Write down the name, address, and license information of the dog’s owner
- Write down contact information for any potential witnesses
- Take pictures of the injuries (bruises, cuts, scrapes, stitches or scars) and condition of the clothing where the bite occurred
- Write down the location where the incident took place
- Find out if a report has been filed with animal control or another law enforcement agency (your Montlick attorney can handle this for you).
If an animal has attacked, the owner is responsible for keeping the animal away from other people and pets.
Due to the complexities of the law involving animal bites, it is important for animal bite victims to consult a knowledgeable attorney who can tackle the complex legal issues and protect the victim’s rights.
What’s The Process of Suing or Bringing a Claim For A Dog Bite Injury in Atlanta?
A person generally has two years from the date of a dog bite injury to file a lawsuit according to the two-year statute of limitations in Georgia. There are many exceptions to the statute, and depending on the facts of your potential case, this may lengthen or shorten the time in which you have to preserve or bring your claim . While you should keep your focus on recovering physically and mentally, do not hesitate to consult with a lawyer for a free consultation. Within this two-year window, a dog bite attorney may do the following to prepare your case:
- Speak to witnesses
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- Review medical records
- Get information about how much work you have missed
- Analyze how you will be impacted by your injuries in the future
- Request public records from the state and/or animal control about the dog and owner that caused your injuries, such as previous citations or warnings the dog owner may have received concerning their dog.
By contacting a Montlick attorney as soon as you can after a dog bite, you allow your attorney more time and resources to research your particular situation in order to present a strong case on your behalf that reflects all the hurt you have gone through.
The Scope of Dog Bites & Attacks In Atlanta
Animal bites are a serious public health hazard that cause a great deal of physical and emotional damage to victims and many hidden costs to communities. Approximately 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. These bites can cause disfigurement, infection, permanent disability and may even be life-threatening.
It is estimated that 1 billion dollars per year of homeowners’ liability claims result from dog bites. It is also estimated that $102.4 million dollars in hospital expenses for dog bite-related emergency visits occur each year. Lost wages, medical insurance claims, workers’ compensation claims and sick leave-associated business costs contribute to the huge overall cost of dog bites in the U.S.
If you or a loved one has sustained a dog bite due to someone else’s negligence, the attorneys at Montlick are here to help. We have recovered billions of dollars for our clients, and we are ready to assist you, too.
If you have been attacked by a dog in Atlanta or suffered serious injuries from an animal bite, call 1-404-529-6333 or dial #WIN® (#946) from your mobile phone.
We don’t get paid until you do. Call today for a free consultation and we’ll tell you how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answering All Your Questions About Dog Bite Attorneys in Atlanta
Your Dog Bite Injury Attorney in Atlanta & Beyond
Proudly Serving:
Decatur (30030, 30032, 30033)
East Point (30344, 30364)
College Park (30337, 30349)
Hapeville (30354)
Forest Park (30297, 30298)
Riverdale (30274, 30296)
Avondale Estates (30002)
North Decatur (30030)
Druid Hills (30307)
Conley (30288)
Panthersville (30034)
Gresham Park (30316)
Candler-McAfee (30032)
Belvedere Park (30032)
Lake City (30260)
We Win More than Settlements.
We win the peace-of-mind you need to get your life back.
At Montlick, we believe comprehensive legal representation is a right, not a privilege. That’s why we provide our services on a contingency fee basis. You only pay when we win.
Because we can’t stop accidents from happening, we do what we can to help minimize their long-term impact. We put more money in your pocket, where it belongs.
