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People love dogs, so it’s easy to forget they can be dangerous. Unfortunately, a friendly pet can easily turn into a dangerous dog capable of inflicting serious injury. When an irresponsible owner fails to keep their dog under control, you can hold them responsible for your injuries and the costs you incurred.
Did a dog bite and injure you? Do you want to know your legal options? If so, contact DeMayo Law Offices and we’ll help you pursue compensation. Dog bites can lead to severe injuries and psychological trauma. If an owner fails to keep those around their dog safe, they should be held liable.
Dog teeth are sharp enough to break the skin and damage underlying tendons, nerves, tissue, and muscle. A dog bite is a painful experience that can result in extensive medical care for infections and tissue damage. You shouldn’t have to pay if the attack was someone else’s fault.
Call our Monroe, NC dog bite lawyers at (877) 333-1000 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can demand fair compensation for your dog bite injury.
If you are hurt by a dog, don’t wait to take action. You can strengthen any eventual legal action by collecting as much evidence as possible and seeking medical treatment for your injuries. Follow these steps below to ensure you can pursue financial damages:
There are laws regarding dog bites and dangerous breeds that attack people. According to North Carolina statute 67-4.4, a dog owner is automatically liable for any physical harm or property damage caused by a “dangerous dog.”
The legal definition of a dangerous dog in North Carolina is one that:
Dog bite laws can be confusing. Each city institutes its own rules. Some cities require dog owners to use a leash in public and prohibit dogs in specific places. Other cities expand on state dog bite laws with additional ordinances or penalties.
If you don’t know how the laws work in your city, contact DeMayo Law Offices. We’ll help you determine if you qualify for an insurance claim or lawsuit. If someone’s dog attacked you without provocation and you sustained a physical injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
North Carolina allows the victim of a dog bite to file an insurance claim if the attack resulted in physical harm or property damage. Most claims involve injuries rather than property damage, but your claim can include damage to things like fences, jewelry, or other items damaged during the attack.
Some of the most common injuries people suffer from after a dog bite include:
Victims of the above injuries require medical treatment and sometimes ongoing care for months or years. Others suffer psychological trauma, such as PTSD. If this has happened to you, you can demand that the dog’s owner pay for your past and future medical expenses, missed work, and pain and suffering. The Monroe, NC dog bite lawyers know how to handle these cases and ca
The settlement amount of your insurance claim depends on the circumstances of your dog attack. Typically, the more serious the injury, the higher the compensation.
The factors that could result in a higher settlement include:
Contact an experienced attorney, like ours at DeMayo Law Offices, to determine what you may be owed as part of a dog bite settlement. We’ll fight for your right to the full, fair compensation you’re owed.
If someone’s dog bites you and you suffer physical, emotional, or financial harm, you’re entitled to seek compensation for your damages. Damages fall under two separate categories indicating whether they’re a real expense or a physical or emotional loss.
The economic damages available in a Monroe dog bite case include:
The non-economic damages you could pursue after a dog bites you include:
If you think the dog owner should face liability for their dangerous dog, you may be able to sue them directly instead of making an insurance claim. To file a lawsuit in North Carolina, you’ll need to follow the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations for dog bite cases is three years. You’ll only have three years from the date of the attack to initiate a civil action in court against the owner. After three years, you may lose your right to compensation.
Some states allow exceptions to the statute of limitations that stop the “clock” for a period.
You can file suit past the statute of limitations under either of the below circumstances:
Unfortunately, there are multiple different defenses pet owners can use to avoid liability for their dog biting another person. If any of the scenarios below occurred, you might not be able to pursue compensation from them:
If any of the circumstances above apply to your dog bite, you may not be able to pursue financial damages from the dog owner. Contact DeMayo Law Offices to find out if these scenarios apply to you.
The lawyers at DeMayo Law Offices understand how traumatic it is to suffer a dog bite attack. It can lead to severe bodily harm and cause you to fear an animal you once liked. When you hire us, we’ll fight hard to hold the dog owner responsible for their negligence and help you win the maximum compensation possible.
Irresponsible dog owners should be accountable for their careless actions. Whether the dog had a history of attacking people or was allowed to roam without a leash, you have the right to demand compensation from negligent dog owners. We’ll handle your insurance claim or lawsuit so you can concentrate on recovery.
If you sustained an injury from a dog bite, call DeMayo Law Offices at (877) 333-1000 and schedule a free consultation.