Proving Negligence In Dog Attack Cases
In North Carolina, one issue in dog bite attacks is whether the dog previously bit anyone. If the dog has a previous history of biting or attacking others, the owner or custodian may be responsible for injuries resulting from the attack.
Even if the dog has no previous history of bites or attacks, another issue to consider is whether the dog previously did something that should have put the owner of the dog "on notice" that an attack was likely to occur. A dog may be considered potentially dangerous if:
- It bit a person, resulting in broken bones, disfiguring lacerations, or an injury that required hospitalization;
- It killed or inflicted severe injury upon another animal when not on the owner's property;
- It approached another person in a vicious or threatening manner, in apparent attitude of attack, while not on the owner's property; or
- It is of a breed that is notoriously dangerous or violent, such as a pit bull, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, or other dog.
A dog owner may not be liable if a dog kills or inflicts injury upon a person who is willfully trespassing on the dog owner's property, was tormenting, abusing, or assaulting the dog, or if the dog bite victim was attempting to commit or committing a crime.
If the dog is not considered potentially dangerous, but the owner of the dog violates a statute pertaining to the protection of people from dangerous dogs, such as a leash law, the owner can be still be liable for injuries sustained in a dog attack or dog bite. If you've been injured in a dog attack, contact us now to see if you have a personal injury claim.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in a Dog Attack Case
Suffering a dog bite or dog attack is traumatic, and can put you at a serious disadvantage. No one expects to get hurt, and there is no way to plan your response in advance to an unexpected situation. Injured people can't always fight for themselves because of this disadvantage. Insurance companies, however, can and do plan their response to your injury long before it occurs. They have little incentive to offer you fair and just compensation for your injury.
A personal injury can seriously affect your future as well as your current day-to-day activities. You deserve the counsel and protection of a qualified, experienced personal injury law firm that knows how to deal with these claims. We have experience with dog bites and dog attacks, and can help you understand the value of your personal injury case and how best to proceed. Call the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin at 1-800-220-7321 or contact us right now and find out if you have a case today.
