Georgia among Top 10 States for Dog Attacks
While many people consider their dog to be a member of the family, man's best friend can exhibit unpredictable behavior when dog owners do not obey leash laws or otherwise properly supervise their pet. The frequency and severity of dog attacks is greater than some would assume. According to a report prepared by State Farm, Georgia ranks tenth in the nation among states with the highest number of dog bite incidents. Georgia was the site of 109 dog bite incidents resulting in $2.1 million in payouts according to the 2013 report.
Many jobs that require workers to enter the home or yard of others to perform services are routinely exposed to the risk of a dog bite. The position of U.S. postal service mail carrier is among the occupations that are most likely to experience the greatest number of dog bites. The Atlanta metro area is one of the cities with the highest number of bite incidents involving mail carriers according to the U.S. Postal Service, which produces a list of the top 30 cities for dog bites. Atlanta ranks 29th on this list.
If you are the victim of a dog bite in Georgia, you might have a legal right to pursue a workers compensation claim against your employer if you are injured in the course of your employment. Homeowners also can be held accountable for injuries caused by dogs they own or that are under their control. If the dog has exhibited vicious behavior or bitten someone in the past, the homeowner can be liable based on the owner's knowledge of the dog's aggressive pre-disposition. The property owner that owns or possesses the dog does not necessarily have to possess actual knowledge that the dog is vicious. Constructive knowledge that would put a reasonable person on notice of the dog's propensity for violence is sufficient.
Even if the dog has no prior history of violent behavior, Georgia law still permits a dog bite victim to recover compensation for injuries experienced in a dog attack. If you live in a city or county with a leash law ordinance, the property owner can be liable for dog bite injuries if the dog is allowed to run at large in violation of the ordinance. In other words, a dog that is not properly fenced or restrained on a leash according to the requirements of a leash law can recover compensation without any reason to know the dog is dangerous. Liability of a dog owner also can be based on negligent conduct, which might include failing to repair missing planks in a backyard fence.
Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years of Legal Experience to Work For Your Claim
If you or a family member is bitten or otherwise injured by an attacking dog, you may have a right to financial compensation for your injuries and loss. Our attorneys at Montlick and Associates have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over thirty years, including but not limited to all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.