Gadsden Dog Bite Attorneys

Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County and is located on the Coosa River about 56 miles northeast of Birmingham and 90 miles southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The city has a population of about 34,000 citizens, many of whom love their dogs like family. Fortunately, Gadsden has a lot of options when it comes to outdoor play areas for dogs as well as walking trails for dogs and their owners. Gadsden has its very own dog park designed to provide dogs with a place to exercise and play off leash. Small-dog and large-dogs alike can take advantage of the opportunities presented by this dog park.

Although Bark Park at James D. Martin Wildlife Park is the only dog park located in Gadsden, there are multiple dog parks within driving distance of Gadsden should dog owners want a change of scenery. Germania Springs Dog Park in Jacksonville, Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater Dog Park in Albertville, and Love’s Travel Stop in Steele are all a short drive from Gadsden. Additionally, several restaurants in Gadsden and surrounding areas are dog friendly, including Jefferson’s Restaurant and Back Forty Beer Company.

Although dog parks and dog-friendly restaurants are a huge draw for dog owners and their animals, many things can go wrong when dogs are away from their home and around other people and other dogs. It is critically important that dog owners properly train their dog before allowing it to be around other dogs and people in any situation—even in your own home. Most often, dogs bite when they feel threatened, but there are other reasons including:

• A dog being startled;
• Running away from a dog, even during play, can provoke a bite;
• A dog that is afraid may bite the nearest person or dog;
• An injured or sick dog may bite.

If you or someone you know has been bitten or attacked by a dog or even injured when the dog was being playful—let the Gadsden dog bite attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, PC go to work on your behalf to collect compensation from the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance company. Although you are technically pursuing a claim against the owner of the dog, the owner’s homeowner’s insurance coverage will be paying the claim on behalf of the owner. Thus, if you know or are friends with the dog owner, don’t be reluctant to pursue the claim because the homeowner’s insurance will step in and protect the owner.

Dog bites can be serious and often include permanent, life-altering damages and scarring. Pursuing a dog bite claim can be tricky and complex but if successful, you can receive monetary compensation for lost wages, medical bills, emotional distress, pain and suffering, scarring and more. In some situations, a dog bite victim can become fearful of being around dogs which can stay with them for a lifetime. This fear of dogs is also compensable. You can contact us here or at 844.LAW.TALK at 205.324.3600.

Dog bite injuries can be medically complicated and are very susceptible to infection. Should you be bitten:

• Stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure with a clean dry, cloth;
• Wash the wound;
• Apply antibacterial ointment;
• Put a dry, sterile bandage on the wound;
• Go to the closest emergency room if the wound cannot be controlled, especially if the bite is on the neck, head, or face.
• Always follow up with your primary care doctor. Dog bites can easily get infected or leave scarring.

If possible, you should also try and take photographs of your wounds on the day the dog bite or attack occurred as well as on subsequent days to document the wounds and the recovery. Further, if you don’t know the owner of the dog that attacked or bit you or you are unfamiliar with the dog, you should contact the animal control service in your area as well as law enforcement and make a complete report of the incident. And finally, it is a good idea to try and snap a photograph of the dog that attacked or bit you as close in time to the event as possible. There have been many occasions where the actual identity of the dog was in question which makes getting compensation for you or your loved one more challenging.

If you’ve been injured by a dog in any way, call the Gadsden dog bite attorneys at Hollis, Wright & Clay, PC as soon as possible after you’ve received medical attention. We will go to work for you while you heal from your injuries. We offer a free and confidential consultation regarding your bite, so there’s no drawback to calling. Our attorneys will work diligently to ensure dog bite victims receive the compensation they are owed. And remember, we will represent you on a contingency fee basis which means you never come out-of-pocket for our services. We only get paid if we successfully recover money for you. You can contact us here or call 844.LAW.TALK or 205.324.3600.