A dog bite or animal attack can be devastating. The physical injuries and emotional trauma suffered can be life-changing, and victims deserve justice. A North Carolina dog bite lawyer at Riddle & Brantley can help.
For a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced North Carolina dog bite lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111 or complete the fast and easy form below.
There are no upfront costs and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive compensation.
Please call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your claim.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in North Carolina
When dogs are unleashed, fenced in, or not properly trained, they may attack, sometimes without any warning. The injuries suffered in dog bite incidents can be serious, including but not limited to:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cuts, scrapes and contusions
- Broken bones
- Loss of limbs (amputations)
- Emotional trauma like PTSD
Dog Bite and Animal Attack Laws in North Carolina
Dog bite injury claims — or injury claims involving other animals — can be difficult to pursue, and liability is often contested. In North Carolina, the law states that the injured victim must prove one or both of the following:
- The animal was dangerous
- The owner was negligent
One exception to this legal requirement is in cases in which a “wild” animal — one that cannot be domesticated such as a snake or tiger — attacks you. These cases can be particularly complicated, and seeking the help of an experienced dog bite and animal attack lawyer is recommended.
Liability in Animal Attacks and Dog Bite Cases in North Carolina
There are 3 primary liability situations involving dog and animal attacks in North Carolina:
- Wrongfully keeping a vicious dog or animal — In these cases, a successful outcome depends on proving that the dog or animal had a known propensity for aggression, based on previous history. Essentially, you must prove that the owner of the dog knew or at least should have known that the animal was dangerous.
- Violation of a leash ordinance — In some jurisdictions, dogs are required to be leashed in public areas. If a dog attacks someone while unleashed, the owner of the dog may be held liable for the victim’s injuries.
- Strict liability for injuries inflicted by a “dangerous dog” — A “dangerous dog” under North Carolina law is one that has, without provocation, inflicted severe injury on (or killed) a person. This determination is typically made by animal control authorities. If a dangerous animal inflicts these injuries again, the owner is “strictly liable” for damages. Under the doctrine of strict liability, a dog bite victim does not have to prove the owner was negligent in order to recover compensation.
Damages in Dog Bite Cases
In dog bite and animal attack injury cases, we can seek “damages” (compensation for economic losses and other suffering caused by the incident) such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering including emotional trauma
- Miscellaneous costs (such as transportation expenses for doctor appointments, etc.)
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded as a form of punishment and to “send a message” to negligent parties.
For a FREE consultation with a North Carolina dog bite and animal attack lawyer, please call 1-800-525-7111.
We will review your animal attack injury claim and advise you on your best available legal options. If you decide to hire a North Carolina dog bite lawyer at Riddle & Brantley, we will do our absolute best to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
Results for Victims of Animal Attacks in North Carolina
We pride ourselves on providing excellent client service and are proud of the results we’ve secured for victims of dog bites and animal attacks in North Carolina, including a recent $1,000,000 verdict (see disclaimer below).
Attorneys Gene Riddle and Adam Smith fought for justice for a client who was seriously injured when three dogs attacked her in her own yard. We took the case to court, arguing that the dogs’ owners were negligent, and won a $1M judgment in our client’s favor (see disclaimer below). While the defendants did not have any insurance or assets, we are proud to have secured justice for the elderly woman in this case.
In another recent case, attorney Gene Riddle successfully represented a client who suffered serious injuries when she was attacked by a monkey.
Our North Carolina dog bite lawyers have the experience and expertise to handle injury claims involving all types of animals.
Award-Winning Dog Bite Lawyers Serving North Carolina
Have you been injured in an attack by a dog or other animal? Our experienced North Carolina dog bite attorneys would love to help if they can.
Together, our attorneys have over 220+ years of combined legal experience negotiating with insurance companies and defense counsel. We are passionate about holding these parties accountable for animal attacks and do not hesitate to go to court if necessary to win justice and compensation for our clients.
We are especially proud of the words our clients use to describe their experience working with our attorneys and staff, including:
- “Every time I’ve needed them, they were there for me.” -Tyronnie T.
- “It was nice to see Riddle & Brantley put me and my needs first.” -R. Colley
- “I would recommend them to anyone. They fought hard for me.” -Christine W.
Our attorneys have been recognized for their experience and expertise by such prestigious organizations as Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and Super Lawyers (see disclaimer below). In 2014, attorney Gene Riddle was honored with the Litigator Award, and he also maintains the highest rating for attorneys from Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent (see disclaimer below).
Injured by a Dog Bite or Animal Attack?
If you’ve been hurt in a dog or animal attack in North Carolina, our experienced injury lawyers can help.
We will investigate the incident for free and help determine your best legal path for pursuing damages. If you decide to hire us, we will fight tirelessly for your right to justice and compensation.
Those injured in animal attacks caused by others’ negligence deserve justice and we would love to help however we can.
Please call 1-800-525-7111 today to speak with an experienced North Carolina dog bite lawyer for free and at no obligation.
We handle bite and animal attack injury claims involving all types of animals and serve clients across North Carolina.
Free, no-obligation consultations are available by phone, email, text and video conference. We can even come to you if it’s more convenient, however no in-person meeting is required to get started on your case.
Call 1-800-525-7111 today and let’s review your claim.
Justice Counts.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.
*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.