Dog Bite Lawyer Athens, GA
Dog bites are not rare events. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than half of all dog-related injuries involve children. When a dog attack happens because an owner failed to control a dangerous animal or violated a local leash ordinance, Georgia law provides a clear path to compensation.
Our Athens, GA dog bite lawyer represents dog bite and animal attack victims throughout Clarke County. Burrow & Associates was founded in 1996 and backed by over 60 years of combined attorney experience, our firm has been fighting for injured Georgians for nearly three decades. Contact us for a free consultation.
Why Choose Burrow & Associates for Dog Bite Cases in Athens, GA?
Local Knowledge of Clarke County and Georgia’s Animal Liability Laws
Georgia’s dog bite law, O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, operates differently from strict liability dog bite states. To recover compensation, a victim must show either that the owner knew the dog had vicious propensities and failed to properly control it, or that the dog was off-leash in violation of a local ordinance at the time of the attack. Clarke County and the City of Athens have leash ordinances that apply throughout the community. When a dog is off-leash in violation of those ordinances at the time of an attack, the law provides an alternative path to liability that does not require proof of prior vicious behavior. Our attorneys have handled personal injury cases in Athens, GA for years and understand both pathways to recovery and how to build the strongest possible case under Georgia’s specific framework.
Michael F. Burrow joined Burrow & Associates in 2007. He earned his Juris Doctorate cum laude from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and holds a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Before practicing law, Mr. Burrow spent 14 years conducting biomedical research on federally funded programs in collaboration with Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia, and served as Vice President of Operations for DocuSys, Inc., a medical technology company. That research background shapes how he gathers evidence, documents prior animal behavior, and challenges the defenses dog owners and their insurance carriers most commonly raise.
A Demonstrated Record for Injured Clients
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Georgia, including an $800,000 premises liability recovery and a $500,000 settlement for a pedestrian accident. Dog bite cases often involve homeowner or renter insurance policies, and insurers use standard tactics to limit their liability. We know how to present a complete personal injury settlement demand that accurately captures medical costs, scarring, psychological harm, and every other element of a bite victim’s losses.
No Fees Unless We Win
Dog bite cases at Burrow & Associates are handled on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This means you can pursue accountability without any financial risk to retain us.
Recognized in the Georgia Legal Community
Burrow & Associates is listed on Martindale-Hubbell and carries recognition consistent with Super Lawyers standards, as well as honors from the National Trial Lawyers. Nearly three decades of personal injury practice in Georgia reflects the depth of representation our clients receive.
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“I had a great experience with this firm. The associates were very professional & helpful with my case. It didn’t take long to get everything settled. I recommend Burrow & Associates to anyone who needs legal services.” — Monnie Love
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Dog Bite Cases We Handle in Athens
Dog and animal attacks in Athens and Clarke County take many forms. We handle all of the following.
- Severe bite and laceration injuries. Deep puncture wounds, facial lacerations, tissue damage, and injuries requiring surgery or reconstructive procedures are common in serious dog attacks. These cases require thorough documentation of both current medical costs and future treatment needs, including reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.
- Dog attacks on children. According to the CDC, children are more likely than adults to be bitten by a dog, and their injuries tend to be more severe, often involving the head, face, and neck. When a child is bitten, the damages claim must account not only for physical injury but also for psychological trauma and long-term developmental effects. A child’s claim may also benefit from the statutory tolling provisions that extend the filing deadline.
- Attacks by off-leash dogs. When a dog attacks someone while off-leash in violation of a Clarke County or City of Athens ordinance, Georgia law provides a path to owner liability regardless of whether the dog has a known history of aggression. This leash ordinance pathway under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7 removes the need to prove prior knowledge of vicious behavior.
- Catastrophic injuries. Some attacks produce injuries severe enough to constitute catastrophic harm, including permanent disfigurement, nerve damage, loss of function in an extremity, and lasting psychological conditions such as PTSD. These cases require a comprehensive approach to damages that accounts for permanent impairment and future care needs.
- Dog attacks on pedestrians and cyclists. Athens, with its active walking and cycling culture, sees dog attacks on public paths and streets. Pedestrian attack victims may also have overlap claims when an owner’s negligent control of a dog causes a fall or collision in addition to a bite.
- Wrongful death. While less common, fatal dog attacks do occur. When a death results from an owner’s failure to control a dangerous animal, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death and survival damages under Georgia law.
Georgia Legal Requirements for Dog Bite Cases
Georgia’s framework for dog bite liability is grounded in O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, which establishes two distinct pathways to owner liability. The first requires proof that the dog was vicious or dangerous, that the owner knew or should have known of this propensity, and that the owner carelessly managed the dog or allowed it to roam free. Prior bite incidents, aggressive behavior toward other people or animals, and the owner’s own statements about the dog’s temperament are all relevant to establishing knowledge of dangerous propensity.
The second pathway requires no proof of prior knowledge. Under the explicit terms of O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7, if a local ordinance required the dog to be at heel or on a leash and the dog was not on a leash at the time of the attack, that ordinance violation is sufficient to prove liability. This means that a dog with no documented history of aggression can still give rise to a valid claim if the attack occurred while the dog was off-leash in violation of Clarke County or City of Athens ordinances. The victim must also show they did not provoke the attack, which is one of the defenses owners and their insurance carriers regularly raise to limit exposure.
Georgia’s modified comparative fault statute, O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, applies in dog bite cases just as it does in vehicle accidents and premises liability claims. Your recovery is reduced in proportion to your share of fault and is eliminated entirely at 50% or more. Insurers sometimes argue that a victim’s behavior toward the dog constituted provocation or comparative negligence. Careful investigation and witness testimony are important tools for addressing these arguments. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the attack under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, though claims by minor victims are tolled until age 18 under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-90. The Georgia General Assembly and the Georgia Court System are the authoritative sources on the statutes and procedures that govern these claims.
What Damages Are Recoverable in an Athens Dog Bite Case?
Georgia law permits dog bite and animal attack victims to pursue a full range of compensation for the harm a negligent owner caused.
Economic damages cover the documentable financial losses your injury produced. Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, wound care, surgery, reconstructive procedures, and anticipated future treatment, are fully recoverable. Infections following dog bites are common and can significantly extend the medical treatment period. Lost wages from time missed at work and any reduction in future earning capacity due to permanent injury are compensable. Out-of-pocket costs directly tied to the attack and recovery are also included.
Non-economic damages address the losses that do not appear on a bill but are real and often profound. Scarring and permanent disfigurement, pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, fear of dogs, and the psychological impact of a violent animal attack are all recognized under Georgia law. For victims who suffer facial scarring or visible disfigurement, these non-economic damages can represent a significant portion of the total recovery. Georgia imposes no statutory cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases. The emotional distress compensation available to dog bite victims is a real and important component of any complete claim.
Punitive damages are available under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1 when the owner’s conduct was willful, wanton, or reckless. An owner who kept a dog they knew had already bitten someone, failed to restrain it, and did nothing to protect others from a repeat attack may face a punitive damages claim on top of compensatory recovery. A $250,000 cap applies in most cases, but that cap does not apply when the defendant acted with specific intent to cause harm.
Contact Burrow & Associates
If you or a family member were bitten or attacked by a dog in Athens or anywhere in Clarke County, Burrow & Associates is ready to evaluate your case. There are no upfront fees and no costs of any kind unless we recover compensation. Consultations are free, and we make every effort to respond the same day.
Contact us to speak with our Athens dog bite attorney about your options.
