Demanding what’s fair
with a dog bite
- Nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention.
- Children are the most frequent targets of dog bites and are at a higher risk of severe injuries.
- Most dog bite incidents involving young children occur during routine activities and interactions with familiar dogs.
Dog bites present a significant health hazard to society and our communities. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 4.5 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year, with more than 800,000 seeking medical treatment as a result. Of those bitten, at least half are children.
In North Carolina, when a dog injures you, you can pursue compensation from the dog owner for their negligence since they have a responsibility to keep their pets under control. You may be owed financial damages for your medical expenses, missed work, and pain and suffering.
If you’ve been hurt by a dog, contact DeMayo Law Offices, Your North Carolina Law Firm™, at (866) 338-7477 to learn more about dog bite laws and how you may be able to file for damages.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving North Carolina, call (877) 333-1000
Canine bites can vary in severity, ranging from minor bruising and puncture marks to wounds that are life-threatening and cause long-term harm.
It’s important to note that even if the injuries sustained by a victim are not severe, they still have the right to pursue a dog bite lawsuit.
Any attack can impose a financial burden and leave lasting psychological scars.
According to North Carolina General Statute 67-12, no dog owner may let a dog over six months old out unaccompanied at night. Violators can be charged with a Class 3 misdemeanor.
North Carolina General Statute 67-4 states that dog owners have strict liability for civil damages if their “dangerous dog” causes any injury or damage to your property.
Article 1A of this statute outlines the classifications for dangerous dogs, which include dogs that have:
- Previously bitten or attacked someone without being provoked
- Bitten someone so severely that they required hospitalization
- Killed another domesticated animal on someone else’s property
- Attempted to attack a person off their owner’s property
An owner of a dangerous dog must take steps to keep the dog secure, including but not limited to keeping it inside or in an enclosed structure. If the dog is allowed off their property at all, it must be restrained properly, for example, with a leash and muzzle.
If the owner fails to meet these conditions and their dangerous dog attacks you, they may be liable for any injuries you sustain.
At DeMayo Law Offices, we know dog bites can be an enormous source of stress and pain.
Our lawyers are standing by to discuss your case, so you can focus on your recovery. Contact us 24/7 by calling (866) 205-5181.
Most homeowners’ insurance policies typically provide coverage for initial dog bite claims on the insured property.
Moreover, many policies also extend coverage to bites that occur off the property as long as the dog is owned or kept on the insured property.
Engaging the services of a dog bite attorney can be highly beneficial when it comes to navigating the complexities of dealing with the insurance company. Their expertise and experience can significantly assist in negotiating a fair settlement.
In addition to the physical pain, dog bite injuries can also have a significant financial impact. There are various expenses to consider, such as out-of-pocket medical costs, insurance co-payments, and hospital bills for those who are uninsured. The process of recovering from a dog attack is already stressful. It should not be compounded by the burden of shouldering all the expenses and managing the financial aspects alone.
Dog bite attorneys are essential in such lawsuits as they possess a deep understanding of the relevant laws in your state. They are skilled in calculating damages, presenting evidence in the most compelling manner, and establishing liability effectively in a dog bite case. Their expertise ensures they can navigate the legal intricacies and advocate for your rights in the best possible way. For starters, you can pursue an insurance claim with the dog owner’s insurance company.
In the majority of dog bite cases, the party responsible for defending against your claim is typically an insurance company, often the insurer that issued the homeowner’s policy for the owner of the animal involved. If you are injured by a dog in North or South Carolina, you may be able to file a claim against the owner under legal doctrines like statutory liability, scienter, or negligence.
Your dog bite lawyer will advise you on the best route to take after hearing your case.
When you file a claim under statutory liability, your attorney will argue that the dog owner knowingly and willfully disobeyed the laws surrounding dog ownership in the state of North Carolina. You could demand they pay the costs you incurred as a result.
Our experienced DeMayo Law Office attorneys specializing in dog bites may suggest another legal strategy known as scienter. Scienter is also known as the “one-bite” rule adopted by many states. If a dog has attacked someone previously and the owner knows about it, you can use scienter to argue that the owner owes you compensation.
Filing a negligence claim can be difficult because North Carolina follows the contributory negligence doctrine. This strict rule makes it harder to settle your dog bite claim. Essentially, contributory negligence dictates that you may only claim damages if you didn’t contribute to the circumstances surrounding your dog bite injury in any way. The dog owner’s insurer or lawyer may argue that you did something to provoke the dog into attacking you, thus preventing you from recovering any damages that the dog bite caused.
We will protect you from unfair contributory negligence defenses so that you can get the compensation you deserve. Your DeMayo Law Offices dog bite lawyer will advise you on the intricacies of North and South Carolina’s laws, including:
- Statutes of limitations
- Contributory negligence
- Personal injury damages
North Carolina Dog Bite Lawyer Near Me (877) 333-1000
FAQs: About Dog Bites
We have experience fighting for fair compensation for dog bite victims in North Carolina. We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions here, but remember, your best resource will be hiring your own DeMayo Law Offices lawyer.If you suffer a dog bite, you could be entitled to compensation from the owner, including but not limited to: past medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, permanent scarring, and more. Some aggressive dogs will attack a dog owner and their dog simultaneously, causing your pet and you pain, injury, or even death. If the dog’s owner was negligent, you could seek damages for your pet as well.
When a dog attacks and kills a family member, you may be able to pursue compensation in a wrongful death claim. If this incredibly difficult experience has happened to you, we can help investigate the incident to see if you can hold the dog’s owner legally responsible for the damages they caused. We can discuss it in a free consultation.
Call 9-1-1 immediately. The authorities will respond and make an official report. If you are able, document the scene as much as you can. Keep all of your medical records. You or your lawyer can ask neighbors to see if the dog was previously aggressive. Their statements could strengthen your claim against the owner. Our dog bite attorneys at DeMayo Law Offices can take over investigating and documenting your injury as soon as you hire us.
There are some cases where it would be more difficult to establish legal grounds to claim compensation from a dog owner after you are bitten. For example, someone who trespasses may be unable to pursue a claim even if injured. If you think you may be partially at fault for your injury, it’s still a good idea to speak to a lawyer to see about your legal rights and options.
No. As long as a dog’s jaws come in contact with your skin, you may have a dog bite claim. A dog bite can cause scars that are not necessarily physical. If you believe you have a dog bite claim, the best thing to do is contact an experienced dog bite law firm. A dog bite claim can be challenging to handle alone.
Not necessarily. There are many contributing factors in a dog bite claim. If you are suffering from injuries resulting from a dog bite, contact an experienced dog bite law office. A dog bite lawyer will be able to help you determine what kind of compensation you may be able to receive.
If you suffer injuries from a dog bite that occurred at work, then you may be able to collect workers’ compensation. Also, you may have a premises liability claim if your dog bite occurred on another person’s property. If you have suffered a dog bite, contact an experienced dog bite law firm. A dog bite lawyer will be able to inform you of all the appropriate laws and regulations that apply in your state.
Each dog bite claim is different, and the length of a dog bite claim is often determined by the severity of the incident, along with other contributing factors surrounding the dog bite. Some dog bite claims take months or years to resolve, while others are resolved in a few weeks.
Any dog has the potential to bite a person. Some dog breeds are more prone to biting, and all dogs are more prone to bite in different circumstances. In general, dogs are more likely to bite if they are surprised, guarding their territory, protecting an owner, in heat, provoked, or if they feel threatened. If you are around a dog you believe will bite you, try to calmly leave the area.
Since the negligence laws in North Carolina are so stringent, it’s in your best interest to contact DeMayo Law Offices to discuss the particulars of your case.
In a free consultation, a skilled DeMayo Law Offices team member can explain your dog bite claim options and how we can help.
We can collect evidence, speak to witnesses, and build a solid legal argument that the owner’s negligence caused your injury. We’ll demand that the owner’s insurance company pays you full, fair compensation, negotiate with them, and take them to court if necessary.
At DeMayo Law Offices, our NC dog bite attorneys fight for the victims of dog injuries so they can move on with financial stability. If you suffered a dog bite, call DeMayo Law Offices. Your North Carolina Law Firm™, at (866) 338-7477 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Don’t wait to take the first step in holding the person who caused your injury responsible.
