Two years to file, from the date of injury
O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33
Modified comparative negligence (50% bar)
Georgia's fault rule
Contingency Representation
On qualifying matters
Dog Bite & Animal Attack Claims in Georgia
Dog owners can be held liable when their animals bite or attack someone without provocation, under rules that differ significantly across Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Dog bites can cause severe lacerations, nerve damage, permanent scarring, and serious infections. Children are especially vulnerable. Our attorneys handle every aspect of your claim, from gathering incident reports and veterinary records to negotiating with homeowner's insurance companies that routinely undervalue bite injury claims.
Yu Huang is licensed in Georgia. The firm handles dog bite & animal attack claims for clients across the state, in Atlanta, Columbus, Augusta, Savannah, and Macon, and everywhere in between. Contingency fees are available on qualifying matters, and the rules below are the ones that will shape your Georgia claim from the first phone call.
The Georgia Filing Deadline
Most Georgia personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of injury under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Limited tolling exists, for example, while a related traffic prosecution is pending, but no one should plan a claim around an exception.
Fault in Georgia: Modified comparative negligence (50% bar)
Georgia applies modified comparative negligence under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. If you are less than 50% at fault, you can still recover, with your damages reduced in proportion to your share of fault; at 50% or more, recovery is barred. Fault allocation, witness statements, reconstruction, and how the account is presented to the adjuster are therefore central to most Georgia injury claims.
Wrongful Death Claims in Georgia
Georgia wrongful death law centers on the 'full value of the life of the decedent' (O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2): both the economic value of the life and its intangible value, measured from the decedent's perspective and generally without deducting living expenses. Claims typically belong to the surviving spouse, children, or parents, ordinarily within two years of the death, and a separate estate claim can recover medical and funeral expenses and pre-death suffering.
Claims Against Georgia Government Entities
Georgia requires ante litem notice before suing a government: generally within six months of the incident for claims against a city (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5) and within twelve months after the loss is discovered for claims against the State under the Georgia Tort Claims Act (O.C.G.A. § 50-21-26), each with strict content requirements. A defective notice can end an otherwise strong case, so government-defendant claims need counsel immediately.
Georgia Dog Bite & Animal Attack Claims FAQ
How long do I have to file a dog bite claim in Georgia?
Most Georgia personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of injury under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Limited tolling exists, for example, while a related traffic prosecution is pending, but no one should plan a claim around an exception. Claims against Georgia government entities follow their own strict rules, described below, so it is worth getting advice early.
What happens if I was partly at fault for my dog bite in Georgia?
Georgia applies modified comparative negligence under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. If you are less than 50% at fault, you can still recover, with your damages reduced in proportion to your share of fault; at 50% or more, recovery is barred. Fault allocation, witness statements, reconstruction, and how the account is presented to the adjuster are therefore central to most Georgia injury claims.
What does it cost to hire a dog bite lawyer for a Georgia case?
The consultation is free. Contingency fees are available on qualifying matters. On a contingency case, the attorney fee is a percentage of any recovery, and there is no attorney fee if there is no recovery. We advance case expenses, and the written fee agreement sets out how they are handled before we begin.
Can a Hoover, Alabama firm handle my Georgia case?
Yes. Between them, our attorneys are licensed in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, and we represent Georgia clients by phone, video, and in person. What changes across a state line is not our involvement in the case but which rules apply, and we practice under Georgia's.
Free Georgia Guides on This Topic
Plain-English answers under Georgia law, free to read before you ever call.
Hurt in Another State?
The same firm, under the rules of the state where you were hurt.