Macon Dog Bite Lawyer

Understanding Hidden Nerve and Tissue Damage From Dog Bites

Being attacked by a dog can be a frightening and painful experience, even for animal lovers. The physical wounds and emotional trauma often are overwhelming. Then there are the medical bills and missed income due to time away from work.

These incidents are far more common than most people are led to believe. Many bites come during everyday activities with familiar animals.

Some 4.5 million people across the country are bitten by dogs every year, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Vulnerable people are at the highest risk: About half of dog bite victims are children under the age of 12, while people 70 and older account for about 20% of dog bite deaths.

The Macon dog bite lawyers at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm help people who have been injured in animal attacks and other accidents. We are experienced attorneys who have dedicated our careers to getting people injured in accidents the full compensation available under the law.

Certain breeds are more likely than others to attack and to cause serious injuries. Pit bulls and rottweilers are responsible for more than three-quarters (76%) of all fatal dog bites, according to data from the World Animal Foundation. That is despite the fact that they make up only about 6% of all dogs across the country. German shepherds are also among the most likely breeds to be involved in deadly bites.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite or attack, our Macon dog bite lawyers are just a phone call away. Call us today at 478-845-6464 to speak with an attorney about your rights and options.

Common Injuries From Dog Bites and Attacks

When dogs bite, the injuries they cause span a wide range from relatively minor to severe and life-threatening.

Some of the most common injuries that our Macon dog bite lawyers see include:

• Gashes, cuts and bruises
• Broken bones and fractures
• Face lacerations
• Eye damage
• Punctures
• Rabies
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Head, neck and spine injuries

There also are many types of secondary injuries that can be caused by attacks as people flee or try to avoid bites. A person running to avoid an attacking dog may slip and fall, for example, breaking a bone or sustaining another injury.

Even when people are lucky enough to walk away from a dog attack with only scrapes and cuts, the emotional and psychological trauma can weigh heavily on them. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression are common among dog bite victims.

Reviewing Nerve and Tissue Damage

When dog bites happen, the injuries they cause are often immediately visible. Puncture wounds, torn skin, bleeding and bruising are frequently treated in emergency rooms.

For many dog bite survivors, however, the more extensive damage is beneath the surface. Damage to nerves, muscles, tendons and soft tissue routinely presents in ways that are not immediately obvious. Even small dogs can exert extreme pressure when they clamp down their jaws and shake, causing injuries that are more serious than they may initially appear.

Nerve Damage

Nerves can be damaged in several different ways during a dog attack, including direct puncture or tearing by teeth, compression injuries from jaw pressure and stretch injuries when tissue is pulled or twisted. These injuries can get worse in the days after an attack, thanks to swelling and inflammation.

Some of the most common symptoms of nerve damage are:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Burning
• Sensitivity to touch or temperature
• Loss of sensation in fingers, toes or skin
• Sharp pain

These symptoms can last long-term once they develop, interfering with various daily activities and limiting dog bite survivors’ ability to earn a living.

Soft Tissue Damage

Muscle, tendon and ligament injuries lurk below the skin and often are not visible.

Dog bites can cause deep muscle bruising or tearing, even when the skin heals cleanly. Muscle injuries tend not to show up on basic imaging and may be mistaken for simple soreness.

These injuries frequently cause spasms or persistent soreness and tightness that worsens when damaged muscles are used. They can also reduce muscle strength and endurance.

Tendons, which connect muscles to bones, and ligaments that hold bones together are also vulnerable in dog bites to the hands, arms and legs. Even small tears can be debilitating and require surgery and rehabilitation to heal.

Money Damages in Dog Bite Cases

People who are injured in dog attacks have the right to seek compensation from those responsible, such as animal owners, property owners and insurers.

The money damages awarded in dog bite cases can vary widely, depending on the nature of the attack and the extent of the injuries. Medical costs typically are the bulk of the compensation. Injured people can recover money for ambulance and emergency room services, surgery, doctors visits, rehabilitation and physical therapy, prescription medication, medical devices and mental health treatment, among other healthcare-related costs. That includes expenses already incurred and reasonably anticipated future medical expenses.

Dog bite survivors who are not able to work because of their injuries can also seek compensation for missed income. Money damages for time missed from work during treatment and recovery, as well as for related medical appointments, are routinely awarded in these cases. In some cases, additional compensation will be awarded for long-term impacts on your earning ability caused by the injuries.

Dog Owner Liability

Georgia, unlike other states, does not make dog owners automatically liable for injuries caused when their pets bite. The state’s approach is often referred to as the “one bite” rule, but this moniker does not accurately reflect how the law actually operates.

Dog owners are liable for bites in Georgia if:

• The dog is considered “vicious” or “dangerous;”
• The dog was acting aggressively or not properly restrained; and
• The injured person did not provoke the dog.

A dog is considered “vicious” or “dangerous” if it has previously shown a propensity for aggression or biting. This is where the “one bite” confusion comes in: A dog that has previously bitten a person is considered vicious and dangerous. But owners may nevertheless be held liable when dogs bite for the first time if the animal had a history of other aggressive behavior. In other words, a dog does not need to have at least one recorded prior bite in order for the owner to be held accountable.

Owners can also be held liable in other situations under a general negligence standard. Negligence is a legal theory that holds people and entities responsible when they do not live up to certain duties of care. An owner who fails to properly restrain a dog may be considered negligent and therefore liable for bites, even if the animal has never bitten anyone or acted aggressively before. A common example is where a dog is allowed to roam in a yard but gets loose through a fence that the owner knows is broken.

Insurance Claims

Dog owners’ homeowners liability insurance policies cover many dog bite claims.

It is important to understand that insurers are not on your side. They frequently pressure dog bite survivors to accept lowball settlements quickly after an attack occurs. Our Macon dog bite lawyers advise clients not to sign anything or give any statements until seeking the advice of an experienced attorney.

There are a number of steps that people injured in dog attacks can take to strengthen their claims. You should seek medical attention, get a police report and document everything. Important information and evidence include:

• Photos of injuries and the scene where the attack happened
• Owner information and dog description
• Witness contact information and statements
• Animal control and police reports
• Medical records and bills

This information will make it easier to prove your case and give you a leg up when dealing with insurers.

What if You Are Partly To Blame

Dog owners often defend bite claims by arguing that the injured person provoked the animal or was trespassing on private property at the time of the attack.

Provocation may be frequently raised as a defense but it is hard to prove. The law presumes that children under the age of 13 did not provoke the animal when bites and attacks happen. Trespassing defenses depend largely on the specific circumstances and whether the injured person was considered to be invited to the property, either expressly or by implication.

Dog attack survivors who are partly to blame for their injuries can still get some compensation in many situations. Georgia operates under a modified comparative liability standard in dog bite and other accident cases. People who are injured in accidents can seek compensation for the injuries, so long as they are less than 50% at fault. Their awards will be reduced, however, based on the proportionate fault.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Helps People Get Back on Their Feet

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Macon dog bite lawyers are dedicated to helping people and families who have been injured in animal attacks and other accidents. We fight diligently to protect and defend our clients rights, from the first consultation through final resolution.

Our goal is to help you move on with your life after an accident by getting the full compensation available under the law. Call our team at 478-845-6464 for a free, no-risk consultation.