Emanuel Dressie
Founder & Managing Partner
Attorney Emanuel Dressie is a long-time resident of Atlanta, GA and is passionate about helping his fellow Georgians, which is why he decided to attend law school after a successful career in accounting and finance. While attending Georgia State University College of Law, Emanuel clerked for the Honorable Judge Kimberly M. Esmond Adams of the Superior Court of Fulton County and interned at the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office and with the Georgia Justice Project. He graduated law school with distinction for his dedication to community service.
40+
Years of Experience representing Atlanta Residents
24
Dedicated Personal Injury Professionals
$95+ Million
Recovered in excess of $95 million for our clients
16,500 injury crashes
In Georgia in 2025.
Dog bites can lead to serious medical complications if not treated promptly. One of the most significant concerns is infection. Common infections from dog bites include tetanus and Staph (including MRSA).
Tetanus is a bacterial infection that can cause muscle stiffness and lockjaw, and it often requires a booster shot if the patient hasn’t had one in recent years. Staph infections, particularly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are resistant to many antibiotics and can become life-threatening if not properly managed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 18% of all dog bites become infected. MRSA and other bacterial infections may require extended medical care, including hospitalization, surgery, or long-term antibiotics. In severe cases, skin grafts may be necessary to repair damaged tissue.
Victims of infected dog bites may face a prolonged recovery, including physical therapy, wound care, and follow-up appointments with specialists. Addressing these complications early is critical to prevent permanent damage. Hence, victims may also need to factor in long-term healthcare costs when pursuing compensation for their injuries.
There are two sides to many stories, including dog bite cases. A dog owner could be negligent, but the person who was bitten may have done something to provoke the animal. One of the law’s primary roles in society is determining to what degree each party is responsible for an incident.
Different actions of the victim might equate to varying levels of culpability. A visitor to a property may have picked up a dog’s food bowl to relocate it. The dog sees a stranger stealing their food and bites the visitor. The dog and owner might meet all the liability criteria, but the visitor might also share some blame for doing something that provoked the bite.
As long as the courts determine the visitor is less than 50% at fault, they should still be able to recover compensation. However, your recoverable damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the attack, you can only recover 80% of your entire compensation.
The cost of treatment for dog attacks can vary greatly. They can be extraordinarily high in severe cases and require corrective and reconstructive surgeries. Victims may also experience post-traumatic stress from the attack itself, as well as long-term emotional trauma from permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Therefore, dog bite victims are entitled to receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:
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Instant medical bills
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Lost Wages
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Loss of quality of life
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Pain and suffering
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Out-of-pocket expenses, e.g., transportation bills for medical appointments.
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Future medical expenses
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Emotional trauma
In dog bite cases, the burden of proof lies on the victims. You need to prove that you are entitled to compensation and justify the damages you seek. A skilled Atlanta dog bite attorney at The Dressie Law Firm, LLC can help you file a well-substantiated claim to secure fair compensation.
The Statute of Limitations for Atlanta Bus Accidents
According to OCGA § 9-3-33, the statute of limitation for personal injury claims, including dog bite accidents, is two years. This means you can only bring a dog bite claim within two years after the accident. If you fail to initiate a dog bite lawsuit within the time limit, you will lose your right to compensation.
Therefore, it is crucial to take prompt action after a dog bite and contact an Atlanta dog bite lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer will ensure that your claim is filed before the statute of limitation expires and protect your rights for fair compensation.
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