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Last Modified on Jun 05, 2026
Dogs are popular pets in Georgia, but they may bite and cause serious injuries unexpectedly. While you may research online to find average dog bite settlement amounts, in Georgia, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for any economic and non-economic damages you suffered in a dog attack, and every case is unique.
You should hire a dog bite lawyer from Trammell Injury Law, LLC, whom you can trust to help you build a personal injury case.
Building a Dog Bite Case in Georgia
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are about 90 million dogs currently in the US, and about 45% of homes have at least one dog. Roughly 4.5 million people sustain dog bite injuries each year, and Georgia is ranked in the top ten states with the highest numbers of reported dog attacks. If you are injured by someone else’s dog, you need to know your legal options for claiming compensation.
Georgia does not enforce strict liability for dog bites like many other states. Instead, Georgia enforces a modified version of the “One Bite” rule upheld in other states. Under this law, the victim of a dog attack will need to prove that the dog that attacked them was either known to be aggressive due to a history of previous attacks, or that the dog’s owner should have known about the dog’s vicious tendencies.
The victim must also prove that they were lawfully present at the location where the attack occurred and that they did not provoke the dog in any way. If the plaintiff can successfully meet these criteria, they can seek compensation for their damages from the dog owner. Your Georgia dog bite lawyer can explain the state’s law as it applies to your case and help you establish liability.
Understanding Average Dog Bite Settlement Amounts in Georgia
If you are eligible to claim compensation for your damages from the owner of the dog that attacked you, success with this personal injury case could enable you to recover compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. You may be eligible to claim compensation for economic losses like your medical bills and your lost income. If you were permanently disabled by your injuries, you may also recover compensation for your lost earning capacity.
In addition to economic losses, you can also claim compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced in this incident. Your Georgia dog bite attorney can help you determine an amount that reflects the physical pain you experienced as well as the psychological toll this incident has taken on you. Many people who experience dog attacks struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress, anxiety around dogs in the future, and other disruptions to their mental health.
Ultimately, while you may find reported average dog bite settlement amounts in Georgia, you should only use this data as reference points for your case, not clear indications of what you can expect. Every personal injury case is unique, and the many variables in your own case will dictate how much compensation you are eligible to claim. Trammell Injury Law can assist you with building your case, so reach out to our team to learn how we can help.
FAQs
What Happens to the Dog After it Bites Someone in Georgia?
After a dog bites someone in Georgia, state law requires that the owner surrender the dog for a mandatory ten-day quarantine. This is to allow veterinary professionals to evaluate the dog to determine whether it carries rabies or any other infectious diseases. After this evaluation, the dog will usually be released back to its owner. However, the court may order euthanasia for a dog found to pose a threat to public health and safety.
What Damages Can I Claim in a Dog Bite Case?
The damages you can claim in a dog bite case include all medical expenses you have incurred for the treatment of your injuries, any income you cannot earn while you recover, and the pain and suffering you have experienced. Hire a dog bite lawyer at your first opportunity after the incident. They can explain how Georgia’s dog bite laws apply to your case, accurately calculate your total claimable damages, and determine the most efficient way to resolve the case.
How Much Can I Claim for Pain and Suffering in a Dog Bite Case?
The amount you can claim for pain and suffering in a dog bite case largely depends on the severity of the injuries you suffered. Dog attacks may result in broken bones, nerve damage, puncture wounds, and various smaller cuts, scrapes, and bruises, but these are also psychologically traumatic incidents. Your Georgia dog bite attorney can help you calculate the full potential value of your case and prove the true extent of the harm you experienced.
What Are Defenses in a Dog Bite Injury Case?
The most common defenses in a dog bite injury case are trespassing and provocation. The victim of a dog attack must have been legally present at the location where the attack occurred. Additionally, they must not have provoked the attack in any way. A dog owner may also be held liable for negligence per se if they violated Georgia’s leash law, allowed the dog to be unsupervised in an unenclosed yard, or were otherwise negligent in the handling of their dog.
Why Should I Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer?
You should hire a dog bite lawyer to have a better chance of success with your case. A skilled attorney can help you gather evidence needed to prove that a dog owner is liable for the injuries you suffered, accurately calculate all of your claimable damages, and guide you through your case proceedings efficiently to reduce the time you must wait to receive compensation. Consult legal counsel right away after the incident so your attorney can start building your case.
The team at Trammell Injury Law has the experience required to handle the most challenging dog bite cases in Georgia. If you have questions about average dog bite settlement amounts in Georgia, and you believe you have grounds to file this type of case, our team is ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Georgia dog bite attorney.
