News release from attorneys announcing $72 million verdict against owners of two pit bulls that chewed off the arm of a third grader in DeKalb County. WARNING: There are graphic details in here. Decatur, GA -1/12/15 - Believed to be the largest verdict in the nation for a dog attack, Georgia Attorneys Inspires Changes After a 72 Million Dollar Landmark Verdict. The message to Dog Owners…..BE RESPONSIBLE After a Georgia jury awarded a $72+million verdict to a little girl who was horribly mauled by two large pit-bull dogs, attorneys Kevin Adamson (lead) and Alan Cleveland (co-counsel) insists that Erin Ingram would rather have her arm back and this horrific attacked wiped from her memory. The brave little 8-year girl, a third grader, came home from school like any other day. Not having any homework, she asked her dad if she could shoot some hoops in her own driveway. Suddenly out of nowhere, two large pit bulls came into her yard and attacked her. Adamson and Cleveland, with Adamson & Cleveland, LLC, and Norcross, Georgia pursued a case against the reckless dog owners for five years. The one day trial ended with a jury deliberating for 45 minutes. Today’s decision, reached just before 6:00PM eastern in the Dekalb County State Court, has been called a “landmark case” as it marks one of the largest verdicts in the country against reckless dog owners who allowed their aggressive dogs to roam free without restraint in a neighborhood abundant with children. “While it’s large enough to make one sit up and take notice, it is ultimately a symbolic victory for the Ingram family,” said Adamson. “This verdict, we hope, sends an important message to those who allow their dogs to roam free and fail to protect others.” The dog owners in this case were reckless and kept aggressive dogs. The jury heard a chilling 911 tape that went on for nine long minutes. https://youtube/watch?v=J29lSXMDlMs Shortly after the dogs drug Erin from her driveway into the street, a woman drove up on the scene and saw a little girl lying in the road. She thought Erin had been hit by a car but as she drove closer she saw two pit bulls pulling and tearing at each of Erin’s arms. She immediately called 911 and tried to save the little girl by using her car, rolling as close to Erin as possible. In the 911 tape, jurors can hear Erin screaming “help me please! Help me please!” The dogs continued attacking her through-out the call. When Erin’s mother heard the portion of the tape of Erin screaming “mommy, mommy” she left the courtroom in tears. The tape played on for the jurors. It was very emotional and heart-wrenching. The witness said it look like the dogs were eating her alive. Finally, a Dekalb county police officer arrived on the scene. He saw a 50- foot by 3-foot wide trial of blood on the asphalt that led to Erin. When he approached her, both dogs had her limbs in their mouths, biting and pulling. He was afraid to discharge his weapon in fear the bullet may hit Erin. Instead, he ran as fast as he could, with baton in hand, and hit the larger dog in the head. “The dog didn’t budge” said the officer. He was able to stand over Erin while fighting off the dogs to get enough distance between them. Finally, when the large dog let go and back a few feet away, the officer saw how badly Erin was injured. Chunks of her flesh where in her hair and all over the trail of blood on the street. She was whimpering and covered in blood. He told jurors that it looked like the dogs had eaten Erin’s arms. When the dog lunged at the officer, he used his service weapon and killed the dog. The other dog took off running. Doctors were focused on saving Erin’s life. While medical teams attended to the numerous lacerations on her face, belly and legs, plastic and cardiovascular surgeons spent over 18 hours trying to save her arms. Using veins from her legs they miraculously saved her right arm. The left arm had to be amputated just below her elbow. Her right arm will never be the same. Erin wears a prosthetic and has endured many surgeries and physical therapy. She will need more surgeries in the future. No matter, the doctors know she is a resilient and courageous human being. In closing arguments, Erins’ attorneys asked for one million dollars for every minute Erin was being mauled as heard on the 911 tape. Although the mauling took place before the call was made, each minute on the 911 tape was an eternity not only for Erin but for the jurors too. In less than 45 minutes, the jury returned a verdict: $36 million in general damages and $18 million in punitive, one for each dog totaling 72 million. “Unfortunately the Georgia civil dog bite statute favors reckless owner, not victims. Georgia lawmakers need to change the code; favoring victims. Having a dog is a responsibility and these owners were reckless. This attack was so easily preventable. Now, a beautiful and bright young lady must endure a life without her arm. I wish I could erase the horrific memory but Erin is a very strong person and she inspires me, her parents and all that know her. Today was a historical day and the family can move forward” said Cleveland.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 01:19:54 +0000