Marietta Dog Bite Lawyer

Dog bite victim? Help starts with The Champion Firm.

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Dog owners who fail to uphold their legal duties can be held responsible when their dogs cause injuries. The Champion Firm focuses on recovering compensation and justice for injured Marietta residents. We are available to answer your dog-bite questions by phone, text, or chat. We don’t charge a fee unless we win.

Why Choose Our Marietta Dog Bite Attorneys?

Exceptional results and five star client care for dog bite victims.

Dog bites are among the most traumatic injuries and are tragically quite common. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Georgia ranks among the top ten states for reporting dog bites in 2020. Our award-winning personal injury lawyers can help prove liability and find sources of insurance.

WATCH: How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney

The Champion Firm Difference

Every client is our most important client. Going through an animal attack can be a traumatic event. Our entire team is here to help you feel comfortable. You receive regular updates on your case’s progress, and we are always happy to answer your questions or address your concerns.

We take care of all the details. The Champion Firm connects you with medical care, gathers proof of injury and damages, files your insurance claim (for both bodily injury and property damage), and fights for maximum compensation from all liable parties. You take care of your health and your loved ones – we do the rest.

We get results for our clients. Since our Firm started in 2014, The Champion Firm has recovered more than $100 Million in damages for our clients. We are committed to getting justice for victims of someone else’s negligence who were hurt through no fault of their own.

We always prepare for trial. Most dog bite cases are resolved with an insurance settlement. However, we can take your case to trial if the other side will not negotiate in good faith. By always preparing for each case as if it were going to trial, The Champion Firm is ready to litigate if we cannot negotiate.

What to Do After a Dog Bite in Marietta, GA?

Dog bites leave you physically and emotionally injured, and it can be difficult to think clearly – especially if the attack happened to. If you can, take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and even the dog (sometimes we can read the owner’s name or veterinarian information from a photo). Get the names and contact information of anyone who saw the attack – they can be valuable witnesses. Here are other suggested steps if you were bit:

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Get Medical Treatment Right Away

The Mayo Clinic advises that dog bite victims get medical treatment immediately. In addition to blood and tissue loss, a dog bite exposes you to numerous diseases, including some that are life-threatening. A doctor can order specific tests to pinpoint the best medicine to treat your symptoms. You may need antibiotics, pain medicine, and frequent bandage changes to keep your wound from becoming infected.

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Keep Your Receipts

Hold on to all medical bills and receipts related to the dog bite, including co-pays and deductibles. A dog bite injury lawyer will include them with your claim. You should not have to pay for damages caused by a negligent dog owner. An attorney can also ask the provider if they can wait for payment when you have a pending insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

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Wait to Speak to an Insurance Adjuster

You might receive a phone call from the dog owner’s insurance company. In our experience, insurance companies like to settle cheaply and quickly. If the insurance adjuster makes an offer, wants a statement, or even asks you questions, politely decline. Wait to speak to the insurance company until you talk to an attorney.

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Avoid Social Media

We like social media too, but some things should be kept offline. You don’t want to jeopardize the outcome of your case by posting about the dog bite. You certainly want to avoid posting anything inflammatory or accusatory about your situation.

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Get a Free Consultation with The Champion Firm

The sooner you call for a free consultation, the sooner we can begin on your case. It takes time to pull together all the parts for an insurance claim and to prepare for trial. A member of our team can meet with you at our office, your home, the hospital, or by phone or video call. We are here to help!

WATCH: Darl Champion Discusses Dog Bite Cases

Who Is Liable In A Marietta Dog Bite Case?

Dog owners have a responsibility to take reasonable measures to prevent their pets from harming others. Georgia law considers dogs to be innocent; it is dog owners who can be found legally liable.

There are three kinds of law that impose liability on owners:

1) A dog-bite statute: where the dog owner is automatically liable for any injury or property damage the dog causes without provocation.
2) The one-bite rule: where the dog owner is responsible for an injury caused by a dog if the owner knew the dog was likely to cause that type of injury—in this case, the victim must prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous.
3) Negligence laws: where the dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because the dog owner was unreasonably careless (negligent) in controlling the dog.

A dog owner can be held liable for your injuries and damages when they fail to take reasonable measures to keep people from being bitten.

A dog bite lawyer with The Champion Firm gathers evidence of liability, including:

  • Photos or videos
  • Witness statements
  • Police reports
  • Previous incidents (mainly if the dog is classified as aggressive or dangerous)

Our dog bite attorneys have a deep understanding of state liability and negligence laws, as well as Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law.

What are “Reasonable Measures?” in Georgia

Many victims are bitten by dogs whose owners allow them to run loose and unleashed. Failing to keep a dog on a leash, leaving a backyard gate open, and other reckless acts are often enough to establish liability. Dog owners who fail to take these steps can and should be held accountable.

Reasonable measures may include:

  • Keeping dogs on a leash or harness.
  • Keeping dogs in a fenced yard or kennel.
  • Getting dogs vaccinated against rabies and other diseases.
  • Registering their dogs per local and state laws.
  • Obeying dog ordinances according to their city and county.

How Much Is a Marietta Dog Bite Claim Worth?

There is no set amount for a dog bite. However, how much your case is worth depends on several factors, and we can go over those with you personally. Generally, the more extensive your injuries, the higher your damages, and therefore a potentially larger settlement.

The average cost per claim increased by 12.3 % in 2020 to $50,425 from $44,760 in 2019. The average cost per claim nationally has risen 162 %t from 2003 to 2020, due to increased medical costs as well as the size of settlements and awards given to plaintiffs, which are trending upwards.

After a dog bite, you may be entitled to your:

WATCH: How much is my personal injury case worth?

How Our Dog Bite Lawyers Maximize Compensation

We make sure to carefully evaluate both your current and future damages. An insurance settlement is final and binding, so it is important that it covers all economic and emotional losses. A dog bite lawyer in Marietta can protect you and your loved ones from future financial stress.

The Champion Firm maximizes dog bite claims by:

  • Collecting evidence such as photos, videos, police reports, witness statements, and medical reports on your injuries.
  • Researching the dog’s owner for previous violations or complaints.
  • Communicating with the insurance company, which can be more effective than self-representation.
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Marietta Dog Bite FAQs

A good place to start is to call The Champion Firm for a free consultation. We take care of all the insurance and legal details so you can rest and recover. You should know that a dog bite lawyer can help you recover damages by filing a claim against your neighbor’s liability or property insurance, not your neighbor’s personal finances.

Dog bites are a form of personal injury. You and an attorney could file a personal injury lawsuit, provided that you do so within two years of the date you were injured.

Dog bites may leave you vulnerable to infections and diseases that are transmitted through blood and saliva. Some of these diseases may not have immediate symptoms, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t get sick. The Mayo Clinic suggests that you get medical care for dog bites to be sure you aren’t infected with serious and sometimes fatal diseases.

Also, the insurance company may not take your claim seriously if you didn’t see a doctor or get medical care. They could argue that you are simply not that injured.

When you hire a dog bite lawyer with The Champion Firm, we can talk to the hospital about delaying payment while we actively pursue damages. We include your ER bill and all other related expenses in your claim.

Under certain circumstances, you may be able to pursue compensation for damages when another dog attacks your dog.

All dogs can bite. However, according to the advocacy group Dogsbite.org, pit bull terriers and rottweilers were responsible for 76% of fatal dog bites from 2005 to 2020.

Nothing. Our personal injuries work on a contingency basis, and we are only paid if we successfully recover damages on your behalf.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

Each year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical treatment for dog bites, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

All dogs can bite and cause injury, including the risk of life-threatening diseases and infections. Children are more likely to be bitten than adults, and they are also more likely to suffer an extensive, significant injury.

Common dog bite injuries include:

  • Puncture wounds
  • Infections and diseases
  • Broken bones
  • Torn muscles and other soft tissues
  • Scarring
  • Nerve damage
  • Disfigurement
  • Eye and vision injuries
  • Head and neck injuries

Some dog bites are so severe that the victim needs reconstructive surgery, skin grafts, and even prosthetics. These expensive treatments should be covered by the at-fault party’s insurance and not paid out of your pocket. A dog bite lawyer with The Champion Firm can help recover these damages on your behalf.

Why Work with The Champion Firm?

The Champion Firm is committed to treating you like family and helping you obtain maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and any future surgical or rehabilitation needs after a serious Marietta dog bite incident. We do this with compassionate client service and aggressive legal representation.

Help Starts with a Free Consultation

Injured in a Marietta dog attack? The Champion Firm fights for people in the Atlanta Metro Area and across Georgia. Call (404) 596-8044 or fill out our online form to request a callback.

Get Your Free Consult. Pay nothing until you win. Guaranteed. .

Client Stories

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"From the beginning to the very end, they made me feel as though there was not a step they couldn't handle. The attorneys at The Champion Firm made it very easy for me. They made me feel like family."

Dajaneshia   |   Car Accident

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“When I talked to Morgyn, she [said], ‘we need you to worry about making sure you feel better. I’ve got everything else handled. If I come [across] someone that has an accident, I absolutely will refer The Champion Firm."

Michael   |   Car Accident

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“From the get go, walking into The Champion Firm, I was very welcomed and everyone was very attentive to everything that had happened to me - There was never a time I had to question anything.”

Natalia   |   Premises Liability

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"I literally do not think we would have made it through this process if it had not been for the Champion Firm. They literally changed our life."

Robyn   |   Slip and Fall

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"A family member recommended the Champion Firm. I got the attorney on the phone immediately who walked me through my entire case."

Jake   |   Car Accident

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“For me, that personal relationship is very important. And I felt that with everyone [at the firm]. I absolutely would recommend The Champion Firm without hesitation.”

Sue   |   Slip and Fall

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“We felt like nobody cared about our situation [so] this firm felt like a blessing to us. I would refer anybody to come to this firm.”

Judith   |   Medical Malpractice

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"I would definitely recommend the Champion Firm. Until they took over [my case], there was no movement. And as soon as they did things happened like [snaps] that!"

Champion Firm Client   |   Motor Vehicle Accidents

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"I have never experienced that much warmth from people that have come to my aid. To me in a situation such as this. When I come in here, [Darl] makes me feel like family."

Wanda   |   Wrongful Death

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"The first time I met Darl, he came to my house because I was unable to drive. He made sure I was confident and comfortable the entire process [and the firm] wants to make sure that every client is taken care of."

Champion Firm Client   |   Motor Vehicle Accident

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“Darl Champion is the man. He just made everything happen and made it real easy [for me]. And the whole firm is nice. Every time I come here I’m always treated like one of the lawyers.”

Walter   |   Motor Vehicle Accident

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"I will refer anyone to Darl Champion. He is a good man, and he'll take care of you."

Michael   |   Slip & Fall

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"Darl's not an ambulance chaser. He is a person who is out to help you."

Brent   |   Motorcycle Accident

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"You're looking for people that you can trust with your life."

Sandra   |   Car Accident

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"They are more than just attorneys, they are friends."

Julie   |   Wrongful Death

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"I would recommend the Champion firm because of the care and the compassion that I received during my 5 year relationship with them after my car wreck."

Cynthia   |   Car Accident

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