Dog bite lawsuits in Cobb County can lead to significant payouts. This was made clear after a Georgia woman recently received a jury award of $4.2 million. The woman had been knocked down and mauled by a 130-pound dog, and her life was never the same. If you have experienced something similar in Cobb County, consider contacting an experienced personal injury attorney.
Woman Develops Numerous Medical Issues After Dog Attack
According to PropertyCasualty360, this case involved numerous medical issues. The plaintiff reportedly suffered from lacerations, infections, and nerve damage. She also developed drop foot, a condition that made it difficult for her to walk properly. This last injury was a consequence of her leg fracture, which occurred as she was pushed over by the dog in question.
This dog was a 130-pound Presa Canario mastiff. This Spanish breed has a reputation for being extremely violent and aggressive, despite its seemingly calm facial expression. Although the dog was bred for herding cattle, it is also popular among owners who want guard dogs. Some also train these animals to be aggressive.
The incident occurred when the victim was walking on her own property. The dog then entered her property, knocked her over, and bit her on the hand and thigh.
Concerns Over “Nuclear Verdict”
Many observers feel that this specific jury award represents a “nuclear verdict.” Nuclear verdicts are awards that seem excessively high in proportion to the damages of the case. However, one has to remember that this incident was probably extremely traumatic for the woman. She also suffered severe, permanent health issues as a result of the incident. $4.2 million might seem like a lot of money (and it is), but inflation has made medical treatment, therapy, and other living costs much more expensive for permanently disabled victims.
According to Property Casualty, the insurance company refused to settle the case outside of court, making a trial inevitable. Then, the insurance company asked the jury to award the victim just $150,000 in compensation. If the insurance company had been more reasonable, it might have avoided this “nuclear verdict” that has generated so much controversy.
Dog Bites Continue at a Rapid Pace
This incident occurred in 2020, and since then, there have been many more dog attacks in Cobb County and across Georgia. In August of 2025, WSB-TV reported that a woman was found dead after being savagely mauled by multiple dogs in Union City. The woman was found in an unresponsive state by a passerby, and officials rushed to the scene to find the victim with severe lacerations from multiple dog bites. Although the first responders managed to transfer the woman to a local hospital, she ultimately perished from these multiple bites.
Officials then located the owner of these animals and had them euthanized. In total, four dogs were euthanized, and a fifth animal is now “in custody” at an animal shelter. Local police say the owner will probably face criminal charges, although the attack is still under investigation as of this writing.