The #1 Atlanta Dog Bite Lawyer

At TorHoerman Law, our Atlanta legal team is led by Alan Holcomb, a seasoned Georgia dog bite lawyer with over a decade of experience handling complex personal injury litigation.

Alan has successfully represented clients in dog bite claims involving unrestrained dogs, prior attacks, and cases where negligent owners failed to secure animals with known aggressive tendencies.

His knowledge of Georgia liability standards, homeowner’s insurance disputes, and the lasting trauma dog bite victims suffer enables him to fight for full compensation with clarity and precision.

We take a collaborative, team-based approach to every case, combining our strengths to investigate the incident, establish that the dog owner should be held liable, and quantify all physical, emotional, and financial damages.

Our attorneys work together to build strong legal strategies that support recovery for medical treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care when needed.

We understand how deeply these attacks affect individuals and families, and we bring both legal insight and compassion to every case we handle.

Other attorneys on our Atlanta dog bite legal team include:

• Eric Terry: Leader of our personal injury team, Eric develops tailored legal strategies for dog bite victims and focuses on proving liability, calculating damages, and negotiating from a position of strength.
• Steve Davis: With over 30 years of trial experience, Steve represents clients in high-stakes dog attack cases, including those involving children, permanent scarring, or multiple defendants.
• Ken Brennan: A veteran trial lawyer, Ken is known for taking aggressive action against negligent dog owners and pushing insurance companies to pay what victims are rightfully owed.
• Chad Finley: With a background in legal and medical evaluation, Chad is skilled at documenting bite injuries and calculating the costs of future care, plastic surgery, and trauma recovery.
• Tyler Schneider: As managing partner, Tyler ensures every client receives responsive support, clear communication, and strong advocacy throughout the legal process.

Our team is committed to helping dog bite victims across Atlanta pursue justice and move forward after a serious attack.

If you or a loved one has suffered a dog bite injury, our experienced attorneys are here to guide you.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire the Atlanta Dog Bite Attorneys from TorHoerman Law?

Hiring the Atlanta dog bite attorneys at TorHoerman Law comes at no upfront cost to you.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if we win your personal injury case.

This approach allows anyone, regardless of financial situation, to access high-quality legal representation after a traumatic dog attack.

When you work with an experienced dog bite lawyer, you gain a strong advocate without the burden of hourly fees or retainer costs.

This structure allows dog bite victims to focus on recovery while we focus on securing the compensation they deserve.

After a dog inflicts an injury, the steps you take in the hours and days that follow can significantly affect your health and your legal rights.

Under Georgia dog bite law, a victim may be entitled to compensation if the dog had a known history of aggression or the owner failed to secure the animal.

Because a dog’s mouth contains bacteria that can lead to infection, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention even if the wound appears minor.

Reporting the incident to animal control helps initiate an investigation and creates an official report that may support a future legal claim.

If you plan to pursue compensation, it’s important to collect evidence and contact a dog attack attorney as soon as possible.

Here are the steps you should take after a dog bite in Atlanta:

1. Seek immediate medical attention to clean the wound, prevent infection, and document your injuries.
2. Identify the dog and its owner, noting the address, breed, and any prior incidents you may learn about.
3. Report the incident to animal control or the Atlanta Police Department to initiate an investigation.
4. Request an official report from responding authorities and keep a copy for your records.
5. Take photographs of your injuries, the location of the attack, and any torn or bloodied clothing.
6. Gather witness statements and contact information from anyone who saw the incident.
7. Avoid giving statements to the dog owner’s insurance provider until you’ve spoken to a lawyer.
8. Contact a dog attack attorney to review your case, protect your rights, and determine if the owner can be held liable under Georgia law.

Gather Evidence for Your Dog Bite Case

Building a strong dog bite case starts with collecting clear, reliable evidence that supports your version of events and shows the extent of your injuries.

Your legal team will use this information to demonstrate liability and damages, whether the attack happened in a public place or on the owner’s property.

It’s important to preserve medical records, document the scene, and collect witness information as soon as possible.

Visual documentation (especially photos and videos) can provide powerful support in both negotiations and court.

Important evidence may include:

• Medical records detailing injuries, treatments, and prognosis
• Photos and videos of injuries, the attack scene, and any torn or bloodied clothing
• Surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses
• Contact information and statements from witnesses
• A report from animal control or police
• Documentation showing where the bite occurred, especially if on the owner’s property
• Notes on prior aggressive behavior or complaints about the dog
• Communications with the dog’s owner or their insurance company
• Receipts or documentation of medical expenses and lost wages

Common Damages in Dog Bite Cases

Damages in a dog bite claim refer to the financial, physical, and emotional losses a victim suffers as a result of the attack.

A skilled dog bite lawyer can help assess the full scope of these damages, calculate their value using medical records and expert input, and present them effectively to pursue maximum compensation.

This includes both immediate costs and long-term impacts that may not be obvious without legal guidance.

Common damages in a dog bite claim may include:

• Emergency treatment and medical bills
• Ongoing medical care, surgeries, and rehabilitation for physical injuries
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Serious pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, anxiety, or PTSD
• Scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disability
• Costs of future care or psychological treatment
• Property damage (e.g., torn clothing, broken glasses)
• Loss of enjoyment of life or mobility
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to the painful injuries

In Georgia, dog bite cases are governed by a combination of local ordinances and state statutes, primarily O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7.

This statute holds dog owners liable if they knew (or should have known) that their dog had a tendency to bite or act aggressively.

Liability can also be established if the dog was not on a leash or under control as required by city or county ordinance.

Georgia does not apply strict liability in every animal attack case, so proving that the owner was negligent or that the dog had previously acted dangerously is critical.

The law also allows lawsuits involving injuries caused by other animals, but most commonly applies to injuries inflicted by dogs.

If the dog has been previously designated as a dangerous dog under Georgia’s Responsible Dog Ownership Law (O.C.G.A. § 4-8-20), that status may strengthen the injured person’s claim.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia also means following strict deadlines, typically within two years of the date of injury.

A lawyer familiar with Georgia dog bite law can help navigate these rules and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.

Steps in the legal process for a dog bite lawsuit in Georgia:

1. Seek immediate medical treatment and document your injuries through detailed records.
2. Report the animal attack to local animal control or law enforcement to create an official report.
3. Identify the dog and owner, including whether the dog has been declared a dangerous dog.
4. Gather evidence, such as photos, witness statements, medical records, and proof of leash law violations.
5. Consult a Georgia dog bite attorney to evaluate the strength of your case and determine legal options.
6. File an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party.
7. Engage in settlement negotiations, using the collected evidence to support your demand for fair compensation.
8. Prepare for trial, if needed, where your lawyer will present your case before a judge or jury under Georgia law.

Understanding Georgia’s “Vicious Propensity” Rule

In Georgia, dog bite liability is often determined by whether the dog owner knew or should have known about the animal’s vicious propensity to bite or behave aggressively.

This rule forms the foundation of Georgia dog bite law and plays a central role in whether a victim can recover compensation.

To establish liability, the victim must show that the dog had previously exhibited dangerous behavio (such as growling, lunging, snapping, aggressive body language, or biting) and that the owner failed to take proper precautions.

Prior complaints, leash violations, or past incidents can be used as evidence that the dog was dangerous and should have been restrained.

Importantly, Georgia does not automatically hold owners liable for a first-time bite unless there is proof of earlier warning signs.

Courts also evaluate whether the owner violated local leash laws, which can support a finding of negligence even without a prior bite.

If a dog is classified as “vicious” under county or municipal codes, this classification may strengthen a victim’s claim.

An experienced dog bite lawyer can investigate the dog’s history, gather supporting evidence, and help prove that the owner should be held accountable under the vicious propensity rule.

Dog bite injuries can vary widely in severity, from minor cuts to life-altering trauma.

Even seemingly small puncture wounds can lead to serious medical complications if not treated promptly and properly.

Dog bite infections are common, as bacteria from a dog’s mouth can quickly spread into deeper tissue, causing cellulitis, sepsis, or other systemic problems.

In severe cases, bites may result in disfigurement, permanent nerve damage, or long-term psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

Tragically, some attacks (especially those involving children or multiple dogs) can result in dog bite fatalities.

Common dog bite injuries include:

• Puncture wounds and deep lacerations
• Dog bite infections such as cellulitis, MRSA, or tetanus
• Torn muscles, ligaments, or tendons
• Nerve damage and loss of sensation or function
• Broken bones or fractures, especially in the hands or face
• Facial disfigurement requiring reconstructive surgery, including eye injuries
• Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Death resulting from severe attacks (dog bite fatalities)

Not every dog bite results in a valid legal claim, but many victims in Atlanta do qualify for compensation under Georgia law.

To bring a successful claim, you must show that the dog was not provoked and that you were lawfully present where the attack occurred.

Georgia’s modified version of the one-bite rule requires proof that the dog owner knew (or should have known) about the dog’s dangerous behavior or violated a local leash ordinance.

Evidence of prior aggression, complaints, or violations may help establish liability.

Children, postal workers, delivery drivers, and guests on private property are often considered lawfully present under the law.

Serious injuries like puncture wounds, infection, disfigurement, or emotional trauma also strengthen a potential claim.

If the attack involved a dog previously labeled dangerous or vicious, your case may be even stronger.

A dog bite lawyer can review the details of your case, determine if legal standards are met, and advise you on the next steps.

At TorHoerman Law, we understand the serious physical, emotional, and financial toll that a dog bite can take on victims and their families.

Our Atlanta team is committed to holding negligent dog owners accountable and building strong legal claims rooted in Georgia law.

We investigate every case thoroughly, gather the evidence needed to prove liability, and fight for full compensation on behalf of our clients.

Whether the attack involved a known dangerous dog, a leash law violation, or a failure to act responsibly, we’re here to help you pursue justice.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, don’t wait to get the legal support you need. Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free consultation with an experienced Atlanta dog bite lawyer.

You can also use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for an Atlanta dog bite claim instantly.