There’s no denying that we all love our furry friends. But sometimes, they get a bit too excited and end up nipping us — or worse — someone else. A dog bite can be dangerous, whether a playful nibble or a full-blown attack.
After a dog bite incident, the last thing you want is to spend humongous amounts of money on hiring a lawyer in a dog bite case. While hiring a lawyer might sound like an expensive decision, you’ll be surprised that some lawyers charge no fee until and unless they win your lawsuit and get you the compensation you deserve.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Georgia was ranked among the top ten states with the highest number of dog bites in 2020.
People living in Georgia should take all the preventative measures to save themselves from dog bites.
Suppose you live in Marietta, Georgia, where dog bite accidents are increasing daily. In that case, it is safe to have at least a list of some of the most reputed Marietta dog-bite lawyers to avoid the hassle of research in case of any such mishap.
Only an experienced personal injury lawyer can help prove liability and help you recover your damages from the responsible party or their insurance company.
Cost of hiring a lawyer for dog bite cases
When working with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can expect a quick and free dog bite case review.
They’ll gather the details of your situation and advise you whether or not you can get compensation for your damages. Usually, there’s no obligation to seek free case evaluation services. If you decide to hire a lawyer, they’ll get to work for you at no cost until they win your case.
The lawyer should take care of everything, including:
- Covering your upfront costs
- Getting experts for your case
- Sending investigators to collect evidence
- Defending you against pushy insurance companies
- Negotiating for the maximum amount of compensation you deserve
How contingency fees work
It’s always best to hire a reputed dog bite lawyer who operates on a contingency fee. This means there are no costs unless and until you get a settlement.
A contingency fee arrangement incentivizes the lawyer to pursue the best possible settlement for you in a dog bite case.
Besides, the lawyer shares the risk of pursuing your claim. So, if there is no compensation through a settlement or an award after a trial, your lawyer doesn’t get paid.
Before opening your case, you must discuss and agree with your lawyer regarding the contingency fees. The fee is typically one-third (about 33 percent) of the final settlement.
So, if you receive a total compensation of $60,000 from your case, your attorney would be paid $20,000, which is one-third of the figure. That leaves you with $40,000 in your pocket.
Recurring dog bite damages
Dog bite wounds may require continuous hospital visits, expensive antibiotics, future surgeries, and physical therapy.
You may even require hospitalization if a deadly bacteria enters your lungs or bloodstream. The situation could be even worse if a dog bites your child. They may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eventually develop a fear of dogs.
Your child may require costly cosmetic surgery to repair facial scars in severe cases. The costs for physical therapy and additional surgeries can far exceed any existing health insurance.
While controlling a dog is the owner’s responsibility, you shouldn’t pay out-of-pocket expenses resulting from a negligent dog owner.
Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you recoup the cost of damages you incurred. They will hold the dog owner liable for any injuries incurred, whether or not they anticipated their dog’s behavior towards strangers.
Consult a skilled lawyer after a dog bite
If you or your loved one is injured in a dog bite incident, contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
They will evaluate your dog bite case at no fee and advise you whether or not you have a chance, answer your legal questions, and fight for you to get you the money you deserve.
More importantly, hire a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis so you won’t struggle with any upfront fees. And since you have limited time to file your dog bite injury claim, contact your lawyer as soon as possible.