Goldsboro Dog Bite Lawyers

Being attacked by a dog can be a traumatic experience, especially for children and the elderly. These attacks can also result in serious injuries and, in the worst cases, even fatalities. Most dog owners will insist that their pet is not dangerous nor given to aggression. However, any dog, especially if provoked, can resort to attacking humans. Dog bites and even dog mauling have been reported in the press. 

At Strickland Agner Pittman, we are well-versed in the laws pertaining to dog bites in our state and in how to represent the interests of clients who have suffered injuries of this nature. With years of professional experience and an insistence on close client-attorney interaction, we will fight for the compensation to which you may be entitled under the law for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of income. 

Find out more about your case including if you have a valid claim by talking to a Goldsboro dog bite attorney in a free consultation at Strickland Agner Pittman. Submit your contact details online or phone us at (919) 893-0090 today. 

Dog Bite Cases in North Carolina

North Carolina is one of the few states that operate on the “one bite” rule regarding dog attacks. This law means that, if the dog has never bitten anyone before, you may not be able to sue its owner for damages.

However, exceptions to this exist under another law that states dog owners may be liable for damages when:

• When the dog is over six months of age and
• Allowed to run at large in the nighttime
• Unaccompanied by the owner or some member of the owner’s family or some other person by the owner’s permission

Where a dog has a history of biting or has been labeled as a potentially dangerous animal, your likelihood of recovering compensation for your injuries and damages is higher. 

Strict Liability in Dog Bite Cases 

 For owners of “dangerous dogs,” strict liability generally applies. However, as the dog bite victim, you must prove that the dog was labeled as dangerous under North Carolina law N.C. Gen. Stat. §67-4.1(a)(1).

This law defines a dangerous dog as follows:

“A dog that:

• Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or
• Is determined by the person or Board designated by the county or municipality responsible for animal control to be potentially dangerous. . .”

A potentially dangerous dog is defined under this law to have: 

• “Inflicted a bite on a person that resulted in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or required cosmetic surgery or hospitalization; or
• Killed or inflicted severe injury upon a domestic animal when not on the owner’s real property; or
• Approached a person when not on the owner’s property in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack.”

Strict liability means that dog owners can be held responsible for their dog’s attack regardless of whether they acted without fault or negligence at the time of the incident. 

Thus, you may be eligible for compensation after being attacked by a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog through legal action. 

We highly recommend that you contact Strickland Agner Pittman to book an appointment with one of our experienced dog bite lawyers to determine your options in these matters.