Charlotte, NC Dog Bite and Animal Attack Attorneys
Legal help for people and children injured by dogs and animals in Mecklenburg County
Dog bites or other animal attacks can be traumatic and frightening experiences, especially for children. Any dog – whether familiar or unfamiliar, big or small, and any breed – is capable of biting someone. Dog and animal bites can cause pain, scarring and, in some cases, catastrophic injury.
After the initial shock of an attack subsides and a victim receives emergency medical care, it is important to begin to think about compensation for your losses. If you or a loved one has experienced a dog bite injury, the team at Price, Petho & Associates is standing by to help. Our Charlotte dog bite injury attorneys have all the information you need about dog and animal attacks, and the right steps to take after these types of injuries.
What would you like to know?
- How often do dog bite injuries occur?
- What types of injuries do dog bites cause?
- What are Charlotte, NC’s dog bite laws?
- What should I do if I’m bitten by a dog?
- What is the value of my Charlotte dog bite injury claim?
- How long do I have to file my Charlotte dog bite case?
- Is there a dog bite injury attorney near me?
How often do dog bite injuries occur?
There are millions of dogs in households throughout the United States. While dogs are arguably the most popular pet in the country, the reality is that dog bites can cause severe injuries. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports over 4.5 million people suffer dog bites annually, with more than 800,000 requiring medical attention for their injuries. Children are at more risk of dog bites than the rest of the population and, according to the AVMA, “occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.”
What types of injuries do dog bites cause?
Injuries from dog and animal attacks can range from severe to catastrophic. Our Charlotte attorneys can help when you, your child, or a loved one suffer injuries like:
- Lacerations or puncture wounds
- Torn arteries, veins, muscles, or ligaments
- Loss of extremities, like fingers, ears, or nose
- Broken or crushed bones
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of vision
- Nerve damage
- Potential rabies exposure
Dog bite victims often experience emotional effects as well, like post-traumatic stress disorder or fear and anxiety. Along with physical injuries, things like PTSD can affect an individual for months, years, or the rest of their life.
If you’ve been attacked by an animal, it’s important to obtain compensation for your injuries. The legal team at Price, Petho & Associates can help.
What are Charlotte, NC’s dog bite laws?
In some states, there are strict liability dog bite laws that mean a dog’s owner can be held liable for a bite, regardless of whether the dog has bitten anybody in the past. However, North Carolina operates under a “one bite” rule. This means that a dog owner will generally not be held liable if their dog bites someone for the first time ever. Basically, a dog gets a “one bite” grace period.
However, if a dog has previously bitten someone or has been labeled by animal control as a “dangerous or potentially dangerous” dog, then a victim of the dog bite has a much better chance at recovering compensation for their claim. Under state law:
- A dangerous dog is one that “without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person.”
- A “potentially dangerous dog” is one that has “a. Inflicted a bite on a person that resulted in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or required cosmetic surgery or hospitalization; or b. Killed or inflicted severe injury upon a domestic animal when not on the owner's real property; or c. Approached a person when not on the owner's property in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack.”
There are some exceptions to these laws, like for law enforcement dogs, hunting dogs, or when an individual suffers a dog bite while committing a crime. Our Charlotte attorneys can explain more.
Dog owners can be held strictly liable when their dogs attack someone if the owner allows the dog to run at large, regardless of whether it’s considered a dangerous dog.
What should I do if I’m bitten by a dog?
If you are attacked by a dog, rinse your wounds with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. Cover with a clean bandage and seek medical attention as soon as possible. You need immediate medical care if:
- You can’t stop the bleeding
- You don’t know if the dog was vaccinated for rabies
- The wound is a deep puncture wound or severe
- The wound is red, warm, or swollen
- It’s been more than five years since your last tetanus shot
If possible, get the contact information of the dog’s owner, as well as proof of the dog’s rabies vaccination. If there were any witnesses to the dog attack, get their information as well. You may want to consider contacting the police or Charlotte/Mecklenburg Animal Control, especially if you are unsure of the dog’s rabies status.
The experienced dog bite attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates can guide you on your next steps.
Google Reviews
Wow. Excellent customer service and representation beyond my imagination. I had hit and run case and felt out of luck on my injuries. Mr. Petho and his team represented I and my family and got us nice compensation from my insurance. Love to have a professional and experienced paralegal in your corner.
- Nayyar Toqeer
EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE
I had an excellent experience with Petho! I never once felt like an inconvenience to him. He always took his time and talked me through all of my options. I truly felt like he had my best interest at heart, and exhausted every resource to ensure my needs were met.
I highly recommend for any work related injury, car accident, or wrongful death cases.
- Amanda Cornell
What is the value of my Charlotte dog bite injury claim?
If you or your child has been bitten by a dog, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your injuries and losses. At Price, Petho & Associates, our lawyers dedicate themselves to helping clients recover the following:
- Reimbursement for medical bills, now and in the future
- Coverage for necessary reconstructive surgeries and physical therapy
- Lost income, if you cannot work due to your injuries
- Pain and suffering, from physical and emotional pain
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Because every case is different, there is no “one-size-fits-all” value for a dog bite case. Instead, our attorneys work hard to determine the true extent of your injuries and losses in the context of your specific life circumstances – negotiating and fighting for your best interests only.
How long do I have to file my Charlotte dog bite case?
Many dog bite injury claims can be resolved through settlements with insurance carriers, but it is always advised to have an attorney on your side to ensure your claim is negotiated properly.
In cases of severe injury, however, it may be necessary to file a legal claim against a negligent dog owner to secure the compensation to which you are rightfully entitled. In these cases, the personal injury statute of limitations in North Carolina is three years from the date the injury occurs. This gives dog bite victims a three-year window with which to file suit, or they will lose the ability to recover the compensation they need.
It's crucial to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible in order to file paperwork and begin building a strong case on your behalf.
Is there a dog bite injury attorney near me?
The main office of Price, Petho & Associates is located at 1430 Elizabeth Ave. in Charlotte, NC. We also maintain offices in Richmond County and Rutherford County, allowing the firm to serve clients across the state. If you are too injured to come to us, we can make home and hospital visits.
Knowledgeable dog bite and animal attack attorneys serving Charlotte
If you or somebody you love has sustained a dog bite injury or an injury caused by an animal attack, speak to an attorney about your case as soon as possible. At Price, Petho & Associates, our qualified and experienced attorneys have the resources necessary to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers or at-fault parties, and we refuse to back down until your case is resolved satisfactorily. To schedule a free consultation, call 704-372-2160 or fill out our contact form. We serve clients throughout Charlotte, Rockingham, Rutherfordton, North Carolina and South Carolina.
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Google Reviews
Wow. Excellent customer service and representation beyond my imagination. I had hit and run case and felt out of luck on my injuries. Mr. Petho and his team represented I and my family and got us nice compensation from my insurance. Love to have a professional and experienced paralegal in your corner.
- Nayyar Toqeer
EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE
I had an excellent experience with Petho! I never once felt like an inconvenience to him. He always took his time and talked me through all of my options. I truly felt like he had my best interest at heart, and exhausted every resource to ensure my needs were met.
I highly recommend for any work related injury, car accident, or wrongful death cases.
- Amanda Cornell