Non-Bite Injuries
A dog doesn’t have to bite to inflict a serious or even fatal injury. There are many other ways a dog can cause an injury without biting, such as by knocking over or chasing a person. Georgia law imposes special requirements on dog owners who keep a dog with vicious or dangerous propensities. These laws require the owner to keep the dog in an enclosure while on the owner’s property and on a leash or otherwise under the owner’s control at all times when out in public. Dog owners who are negligent and fail in this duty can be liable for any injuries that result from their dog’s behavior, even if a bite or scratch did not occur.
At Zagoria Law, our law firm handles more dog injury cases than any other firm in town – about 100 a year. We are the only law firm in Atlanta specializing in dog injury cases. This means that no matter what type of injury you suffered, our team has the knowledge, skills, experience, expertise and dedication needed to hold a negligent dog owner accountable and recover a significant amount of money damages that fairly compensates you for the damage done. If you’ve been injured in an incident caused by another’s negligent handling of a vicious or dangerous dog in Atlanta, call Zagoria Law at 404-653-0023 for a free consultation.
Knockdowns
Getting knocked over by a large dog or tripped by a smaller dog is a leading cause of non-bite injuries caused by dangerous dogs. The largest dogs can weigh over 100 pounds, but dogs weighing far less are still more than strong enough to overpower or knock down a grown adult, not to mention a small child. Getting knocked over by a dog on the pavement or a hard surface can cause painful and debilitating injuries, as well as fatalities in some instances.
Common serious injuries that can result from a knockdown include:
- Broken bones, including a broken hand, arm, leg or foot, a fractured skull, broken ribs, or a broken nose or other broken facial bones
- Sprained ankle or wrist
- Fractured hip
- Head injuries, including concussions and brain injuries
- Facial lacerations
- Internal injuries, including internal bleeding and organ damage
- Neck and back injuries, including spinal injuries and paralysis
Knockdowns are frequently attributed to the largest dog breeds, although medium-size dogs are more than powerful enough to knock over a human when lunging at a person. Some of the largest and strongest breeds found in the U.S. include:
- Akitas
- Huskies
- Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs
- Great Danes
- German Shepherds
- Doberman Pinschers
- Irish Wolfhounds
- Newfoundlands
- Saint Bernards
Many smaller breeds can easily knock down a person as well, and even the smallest dog can get underfoot and trip a person, with the same injurious consequences.
Falls
Besides getting knocked down, people can get injured when running away or moving to get away from a dog that is lunging at them or chasing them, snarling, nipping or acting aggressively. A person in this instance is liable to slip or trip and fall, which can lead to sprains, fractures and the other kinds of injuries mentioned above.
Dog Fright
No matter the size or breed of the dog, a child or adult can easily be frightened when walking past a dog that suddenly barks, yips, snarls, growls or lunges. Persons frightened by a dog can trip and fall or put themselves in danger by turning into traffic or a bicycle path. Dog fright could even cause a heart attack or psychological disorders such as anxiety or phobia.
Help Is Here After a Non-Bite Injury or Knockdown in Atlanta
If you or your child suffered an injury because of the behavior of a dangerous or vicious dog and its owner’s negligent handling, you could be entitled to significant money damages to compensate you for the harm done, including your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Talk to an experienced dog bite attorney who can advise you and take on your case for a successful result. In Atlanta, call Zagoria Law at 404-653-0023 for a free consultation. No fee unless we win.
