Fayetteville Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog Bite Attorneys in Fayetteville, NC
Are you a victim of a dog bite?
A Fayetteville dog bite lawyer at Riddle & Brantley may be able to help. Call 1-800-525-7111 for a free case review.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite, you deserve justice. Dog attacks are serious and can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. Especially if the victim is a child, the resulting trauma can last a lifetime.
North Carolina law requires pet owners to take responsibility for their animals, ensuring they are not in situations that could result in attacks. There are exceptions, though, especially when a victim is found to have acted negligently. If you have been bitten, it is important to understand all factors that may apply to your case.
Riddle & Brantley’s Fayetteville dog bite lawyers are experienced and ready to help you navigate your animal attack claim. Call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE, no-obligation case review with one of our Fayetteville dog bite attorneys. You never pay unless we win and you receive compensation for your injuries.
Who is Liable for a Dog Attack?
North Carolina is a mixed dog bite law state, meaning that several different statutes apply to pet attacks. In North Carolina, victims of dog bites must prove that either the dog was dangerous or the owner was negligent to recover compensation.
Dog bite circumstances can fall into three categories:
- Statutory liability. In these cases, dog owners may be found liable if the plaintiff can prove they violated the law by knowingly let their dog run uncontained at night or after having been deemed dangerous.
- Strict liability. If a victim can prove the dog that bit them is dangerous or potentially dangerous, they don’t need any other proof to make a strict liability case. This can include past aggressive behavior toward people or animals.
- Negligence-based liability. Finally, owners may be found liable due to negligence in a dog bite situation. If circumstances that resulted in a dog bite could have been avoided by the dog’s owner with reasonable care, that individual may be found liable for any injuries.
Damages Available in a Dog Bite Case
If you were the victim of a dog bite, you may be entitled to compensation for any financial costs you incur as a result of the incident. This includes:
- Medical bills for any treatment you receive for your injuries.
- Compensation for missed time at work or missed work opportunities.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
In North Carolina, the statute for all personal injury claims, including dog bites, is three years. This means that you have three years from the date of the dog bite to file your claim.
A Fayetteville dog bite lawyer can help ensure that you don’t miss the statute of limitations or other important deadlines in your case.
Overcoming Contributory Negligence in Dog Bite Cases
North Carolina is one of just four states that recognizes strict contributory negligence. This means that in cases like dog bite lawsuits, if you are proven to be even 1% responsible for your injuries you cannot recover any compensation.
After a dog bite, documenting the incident and gathering visual and testimonial evidence can help prove your case. Additionally, having an experienced lawyer on your side will give you the best chances of successfully recovering compensation.
Give us a call at 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE consultation with a Fayetteville dog bite lawyer at Riddle & Brantley. Our experienced attorneys will review your case and help you decide the best course of action. We will do our best to help you recover damages for your injuries, and you never pay attorney fees unless we win and you receive compensation.
“You all have been a blessing in my life and I feel like a family member.”
-Jacqueline P., Riddle & Brantley client
Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Dog bites can be painful and traumatizing. Potential injuries include anything from punctured skin to broken bones, head and neck injuries, and more. In more serious cases, victims may experience long-term or even life-threatening injuries such as nerve damage, tissue damage, eye injuries or other facial injuries, and scarring.
Damages related to emotional trauma may also be recovered, especially if the victim is a child. The memory of a dog attack and resulting emotional scars can be life-changing, and anyone who suffers as a result of an attack deserves justice.
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, it is important to seek medical attention if you have been bitten by a dog. Medical care is vital to ensuring you don’t miss a more serious underlying injury, and evidence documented by a medical professional can help prove your case in a dog bite lawsuit.
What About Other Animal or Pet Attacks?
Injuries caused by other types of animals fall into two categories: other domestic pets and wild animals kept as pets. In general, if you were bitten, clawed, or injured by any type of domestic pet, the same dog bite laws apply.
Wild animals include snakes, monkeys, or any animal that can never be fully tamed. If you were attacked by a wild animal kept as a pet, the owner will be held strictly liable. This means that no negligence must be proven. As long as the victim did not knowingly do anything to cause the injury, the owner will be responsible for damages.
Call for a FREE Case Review
Riddle & Brantley’s Fayetteville dog bite lawyers are experienced in both types of animal attack cases. We have successfully represented victims of domestic pet and wild animal attacks and are ready to help review your case and decide on the best course of action.
Call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE case review.
Justice Counts.