Charlotte Dog Bite Lawyer

Injuries stemming from a canine attack can be devastating. Get help obtaining the compensation you need to recuperate by reaching out to a dog bite lawyer in Charlotte.

Being attacked by a dog is one of the most terrifying and traumatic experiences a person can go through. Dogs are unpredictable, and even dogs that have never been violent before can become aggressive at a moment’s notice. When this happens and you or your child suffers a devastating injury, the dog’s owner should be brought to justice.

At The Nye Law Group, your highly experienced Charlotte dog bite lawyer will do whatever it takes to secure the injury settlement you are entitled to. You may not be able to sue the dog, of course, but you can fight to ensure that the dog’s owner is held accountable for the actions of their pet.

Injuries Caused by Dog Attacks in Charlotte, NC

Dog attacks, including serious bites and accidental encounters with rambunctious dogs, have been known to produce some grave and even debilitating injuries. Some of the injuries that dog bite victims endure include:

• Lacerations 
• Loss of limbs
• Traumatic brain damage
• Hematomas
• Spine and back injuries
• Broken and fractured bones
• Paralysis
• Organ damage
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Muscle and/or nerve damage
• Death

What North Carolina’s Strict Liability Law Means for Dog Bites

Dog bite cases are typically easier to litigate, as there is usually only one party, the dog’s owner, that can be found liable for the injuries and damages caused by the dog. 

Charlotte, and the entire state of North Carolina, follows strict liability when it comes to dog attacks. 

This means that if a dog has been classified as a “dangerous dog” (meaning they have previously attacked and seriously injured or even killed a person before), or if they have no prior history of aggression but caused serious bodily injury or property damage in the incident in question, the dog owner should be found liable and compelled to compensate the dog attack victim accordingly.

When Strict Liability Will Not Apply to a Dog Bite

There are a few instances in which a Charlotte dog owner can escape being found liable for the injuries and damages caused by their dog. 

The first is when the victim was trespassing on the owner’s property at the time of the attack. On the dog owner’s own property, unless the victim is an invited guest or government official, such as a mail carrier or law enforcement officer, the dog’s owner has no obligation to keep their dog under control at all times.

Dog owners can also avoid strict liability laws if the dog that attacked the victim was being provoked to act in a violent or aggressive manner leading up to the attack. Such acts of provocation might include:

• Abusing
• Hitting
• Kicking
• Teasing
• Taunting
• Beating
• Throwing objects at the dog
• Generally being aggressive or violent toward the animal

The Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in NC

North Carolina has one of the most victim-friendly statutes of limitations in the entire country, giving dog bite victims a maximum of three years after the date of the attack to file their civil lawsuit within the court system. If you were diagnosed with an injury relating to the dog attack after the date of the accident, the statute of limitations can begin from the date of your diagnosis. 

Ensuring that your Charlotte dog bite claim is filed before the statute of limitations expires in your case is essential. Failing to get your lawsuit filed before this deadline will result in the dismissal of your case, as the judge will have no choice but to bar your case from being heard once the opposing attorney files a motion to dismiss. 

For this reason, it may be in your best interests to retain a dog bite lawyer in Charlotte who can keep track of not just the statute of limitations but other critical legal deadlines, as well. 

Get Help from a Dog Bite Lawyer in Charlotte

You should never be stuck dealing with the consequences of a dog attack when the dog’s owner should have had complete control of their dog. Hold them accountable for their negligence by pursuing a civil claim against them with the assistance of a reputable Charlotte dog bite lawyer at The Nye Law Group. 

When you are ready to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation, you can do so by filling out the online contact form we have provided at the bottom of this page or calling our office directly at 704-285-6319.