Charlotte Dog Bite Lawyer

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Victims in Concord, Charlotte, and throughout North Carolina

Being attacked by a dog is a traumatic experience that can leave you with serious physical—and emotional—injuries. However, the reality is that the vast majority of dog bites and animal attacks are entirely preventable. In many cases, the owner of an aggressive dog is financially liable for any injuries caused by their animal. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we help dog bite victims and their families pursue meaningful compensation to help them cover the costs associated with the attack.

North Carolina Dog Bites

Dogs are usually thought of as "man's best friend," and in most cases, they are just that. Providing companionship and love and guarding our homes and businesses, they are usually considered a member of the family. It is that love and devotion, however that can turn a friendly animal into a vicious one, sometimes without any warning.

When a dog believes that someone has encroached upon the territory they have chosen to protect, even if that territory happens to be a public street, it can attack with surprising speed and fury. Getting attacked by a dog is a traumatizing experience. It is also a more common experience than most people realize. By some estimates, there are nearly 4.5 million dog bites per year in the United States, resulting in more than 365,000 hospitalizations. The injuries caused by a dog bite often include broken bones, severe scarring, and infections. Once you have sought medical care, your next step should be to call a skilled personal injury attorney and find out what your rights are.

Can a Dog Owner Be Held Liable if Their Animal Attacks?

Yes, under North Carolina Law, dog owners can be held liable for any injuries caused by their pets. Unlike many other states, North Carolina law applies a strict liability framework when it comes to dog-owner liability. Under a strict liability analysis, a dog owner is financially responsible for any injuries caused by their animal, even if they were not negligent at the time of the attack.

There are, however, exceptions to the North Carolina strict liability dog bite law, such as:

Owners are not liable for injuries caused by a hunting dog that occur during a hunt;

Owners are not liable to dog bite victims who were trespassing, taunting, tormenting, or abusing the dog;

Owners are not liable to dog bite victims who were committing a crime at the time of the attack.

Additionally, just because the dog’s owner is liable doesn’t mean that their insurance company is going to fairly compensate bite victims for their injuries. Thus, it is best to reach out to a lawyer experienced in dog bites and animal attacks for assistance.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a North Carolina Dog Bite Lawsuit?

Under North Carolina General Statutes § 1-52, dog bite victims have up to three years to file a claim. This three-year period begins on the day of the bite. However, victims of dog bites and animal attacks are encouraged to reach out to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the incident. This ensures that all important evidence is accessible and that there is ample time to prepare a compelling claim for recovery.

Were You the Victim of Charlotte Dog Bite?

If you or a loved one was recently attacked by a vicious dog, reach out to the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC for immediate assistance. At the Olsinski Law Firm, PLLC, we recognize the challenges you and your family are facing, and we are here to help you during this difficult time. Our attorneys focus on cases just like yours every day. We know what you are going through and what needs to be done to seek the compensation you deserve. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte dog bite lawyer, give us a call at 704-405-2580. You can also reach one of our Concord dog bite lawyers at 704-918-4747. We take all personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning we will not bill you for our services unless we can connect you with compensation for what you’ve been through.