What to Do After a Dog Bite in Georgia: Legal Steps That Protect Your Claim

December 23, 2025
thegeorgiadogbitelawyer.com

Dog bites can happen suddenly and leave victims dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, missed work, and emotional trauma. If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog in Georgia, especially in Henry County, GA, the steps you take immediately afterward can have a major impact on your health and your ability to recover compensation.

This guide explains what to do after a dog bite in Georgia, your legal rights, and when speaking with a dog bite lawyer may help protect your claim.

Step 1: Get Medical Attention Immediately

Your health should always come first. Even if a dog bite seems minor, it can quickly become infected or lead to complications.

Seek medical care right away if:

  • The skin is broken

  • There is bleeding, swelling, or pain

  • The bite involves the face, hands, or joints

  • A child or elderly person was bitten

Medical records also play a critical role in dog bite injury claims. Prompt treatment creates documentation that directly connects your injuries to the dog bite, which is especially important if you later pursue compensation.

Step 2: Identify the Dog and Its Owner

If possible, gather information about:

  • The dog’s owner or person responsible for the dog

  • The dog’s vaccination history (especially rabies)

  • Where the incident occurred

In communities across Henry County and Coweta County, including McDonough, Stockbridge, and Newnan, dog bite claims often involve neighbors, landlords, or property owners. Identifying who had control over the dog is key to determining legal responsibility.

If the owner refuses to cooperate, do not argue—this is something a lawyer can help handle later.

Step 3: Report the Dog Bite to Local Authorities

In Georgia, dog bites should be reported to:

  • Local animal control

  • Your county health department

Reporting the incident helps:

  • Protect others from potential future attacks

  • Create an official record of the incident

  • Document whether the dog has a history of aggression

In Henry County, GA, animal control reports can be especially valuable evidence in dog bite injury cases.

Step 4: Document Everything

Strong documentation can significantly improve the outcome of a dog bite claim. As soon as you are able, gather and preserve the following:

  • Photos of injuries (taken over time)

  • Photos of the location where the bite occurred

  • Torn or bloodied clothing

  • Names and contact information of witnesses

  • Medical bills and treatment records

  • Time missed from work and lost wages

Keeping a journal of pain, recovery, and emotional distress can also support your claim for non-economic damages.

Step 5: Understand Georgia Dog Bite Laws

Georgia does not follow a strict “one-bite rule.” Instead, dog owners may be held liable if:

  • The dog was known to be dangerous or aggressive, or

  • The owner violated a local leash law or ordinance

Many cities and counties, including parts of Henry County, have leash laws requiring dogs to be restrained. If a dog was roaming freely when it bit someone, this may strengthen a victim’s claim.

Georgia law allows dog bite victims to pursue compensation for:

  • Medical expenses

  • Lost wages

  • Pain and suffering

  • Scarring or permanent injury

  • Emotional trauma (especially in child bite cases)

Step 6: Be Careful When Dealing With Insurance Companies

In many dog bite cases, the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company becomes involved. While insurers may appear helpful, their goal is often to minimize payouts.

You should be cautious about:

  • Giving recorded statements

  • Accepting quick settlement offers

  • Signing medical authorizations without legal advice

Insurance adjusters may attempt to downplay injuries or argue that the victim was partially at fault. Speaking with a dog bite lawyer before engaging with insurers can help protect your rights.

Step 7: Know the Time Limit to File a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Georgia

Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including dog bites. This means you generally have two years from the date of the bite to file a lawsuit.

However, delays can weaken evidence and make cases harder to prove. In addition, if the victim is a child, different rules may apply, which makes early legal guidance especially important.

Step 8: When to Contact a Georgia Dog Bite Lawyer

Not every dog bite requires legal action, but you should strongly consider speaking with a lawyer if:

  • The injuries were serious or required medical treatment

  • A child was bitten

  • The dog owner denies responsibility

  • An insurance company is involved

  • You are facing permanent scarring or lost income

A Georgia dog bite lawyer can:

  • Investigate the incident

  • Gather evidence and reports

  • Handle insurance negotiations

  • Calculate the full value of your damages

  • File a lawsuit if necessary

For residents of Henry County, GA, working with a lawyer familiar with local ordinances and courts can be a significant advantage.

Dog Bites Involving Children

Children are among the most common victims of dog bites and often suffer injuries to the face, head, and neck. These cases can involve long-term physical and emotional effects.

Georgia law allows parents to pursue compensation on behalf of an injured child, including future medical care and scarring. Because child injury cases can be more complex, it is especially important to seek legal guidance early.

Get Legal Help After a Dog Bite in Georgia

Dog bite injuries can have lasting consequences, but you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Taking the right steps after a dog bite—and understanding your legal options—can make a meaningful difference in your recovery.

If you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog anywhere in Henry or Fayette Counties, from Stockbridge to Peachtree City, or anywhere else in Georgia, contact your Henry County dog bite lawyer to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

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