Dog Bite Attorney in Shelby, NC

North Carolina Dog Bite Laws

The most important North Carolina law to be aware of when it comes to dog bite injuries is the state’s “one bite” rule. Basically, this law states that if a dog has not attacked anyone before and there was no reason to suspect the dog was dangerous, the owner may not be liable for any injuries caused by the dog. This can be frustrating for dog bite victims because they’re still in pain while the dog’s owner is not held responsible for the dog’s actions.

There are certain exceptions to the one-bite rule, however. If the dog is running at large at night, without any supervision from the owner or the owner’s family, then the one-rule bite does not apply. Furthermore, the one-bite rule may not apply if the dog has been deemed dangerous in some way, such as if it had previously killed another domesticated animal on someone else’s property.

Another North Carolina law says that no dog owner may let a dog older than six months run unaccompanied at night. Anyone breaking this law could be found guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

If a dog has been deemed dangerous by the local animal control authority, such as if the dog has previously attempted to attack someone outside of the owner’s property, then the dog’s owner is required to take certain steps. Owners of dangerous dogs are required by state law to keep their dogs inside or in some kind of enclosed structure. Additionally, dangerous dogs must be properly restrained when they are taken off of the owner’s property, such as with a leash and muzzle.

Strict Liability for Dog Bite Injuries in Shelby, NC 

North Carolina law states that dog owners are “strictly liable” for dog bite injuries in certain circumstances. There are some important caveats to this doctrine. The first and most important is the “one bite” rule, which states that dog owners are not liable if a dog bites someone when the dog had not been previously known to be aggressive or dangerous.

That said, if the one-bite rule does not apply in a dog bite case and the victim did not play a role in causing their injuries (by provoking the dog, for example), the victim is allowed to file a claim against the dog’s owner for monetary compensation. If you are eligible to file a claim after a dog bite injury, you could potentially be compensated for:

• The cost of any medical care to treat your injuries from the dog bite
• Your reduced ability to work and earn a living if your injuries resulted in some form of disability
• Your lost wages during the time you were recovering from your injuries
• The pain and suffering resulting from your injuries
• Any mental trauma you’ve endured as a result of the attack, such as anxiety attacks or post-traumatic stress disorder

Common Injuries in Dog Bites

Common injuries resulting from dog bites include:

• Puncture wounds: Dogs have sharp teeth that can easily puncture the skin, causing deep wounds. These injuries are prone to infection, especially if they are not cleaned and treated immediately.
• Lacerations: When a dog bites, it can tear the skin, muscles, and ligaments. In severe cases, lacerations require stitches, surgery, or even skin grafts.
• Nerve damage: A strong bite may sever or damage nerves, leading to long-term issues like numbness, weakness, or chronic pain. Nerve damage can sometimes be permanent.
• Broken bones: Larger dogs, in particular, have the strength to crush or break bones when they bite. Common areas affected include the hands, arms, and legs.
• Infections: Dog bites are at a high risk of infection due to the bacteria in the animal’s mouth. Common infections from dog bites include tetanus, cellulitis, and sepsis, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
• Scarring and disfigurement: Even after wounds heal, dog bite victims could be left with permanent scars. In some cases, reconstructive surgery is necessary to repair the damage and minimize disfigurement.
• Emotional trauma: In addition to physical injuries, dog bite victims may suffer from psychological effects like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

Your Legal Options After a Shelby Dog Bite: Filing a Dog Bite Claim

Should you decide to file a claim against a dog’s owner after being bitten, an attorney can help you seek fair compensation. You will need strong evidence to back up your claim, but a lawyer can help you find what you need, provided it exists. To give yourself the best chance at winning your case, hold on to all your medical records and don’t make any public statements about what happened.

Many people are bitten by dogs that they are familiar with. This means that the dog’s owner might be a friend, a neighbor, or even a family member. In this instance, the victim may not want to “sue” the person they are familiar with but might still need help paying their medical bills, recouping lost wages, and offsetting other losses.

In most cases, you will file a claim under the homeowners’ insurance or renters’ insurance policy held by the dog’s owner. You could be compensated this way, without the dog’s owner paying anything out of pocket.

These policies typically provide liability coverage that includes dog attacks. In less common cases, a company’s general liability policy may cover a dog bite if the dog was owned by or under the control of an agent of the company. Additional coverage may be available under an umbrella policy – a type of insurance held by some wealthier individuals.

Your attorney can serve as your voice in all communications with the insurance company, the dog’s owner, and anyone else involved in the case. In many situations, your attorney will present a claim to the insurer and negotiate for a settlement that covers your losses.

If a fair offer cannot be reached, or North Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations is approaching, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries. Our dog bite injury attorneys aren’t afraid to take cases to trial. We’re prepared to fight aggressively in court on your behalf should it become necessary.