Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Is the Owner Responsible for a Dog Bite Injury?
Dogs are a part of many households. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), more than 38% of U.S. households own family dogs. Our dogs are often part of our families, but sometimes, a dog can bite someone and cause a serious injury. Dog bites are among the most painful injuries you can suffer. Even a minor dog bite can easily become infected and cause much more serious results. A dog owner may be responsible for the injuries if their dog bites someone. A negligent dog owner may need to pay for medical bills and other damages due to a dog bite injury.
Why Dog Bites are Dangerous
Dog bites can be extremely dangerous injuries. When a dog bites someone, they cause jagged tears in the skin, which are not easy to repair. If a dog bite is deep, it can cause damage to the tendons, muscles, and more. Some dog bites are more dangerous than others because some dogs clamp onto their prey and will not let go easily. Pulling away from a dog bite may result in even more damage and severe scarring. Dog bites can be more damaging to children because of their small size. Dog bites can become infected easily, causing even more pain and disfigurement.
Charlotte Injury Lawyer Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is the value of my case?”
What are Leash Laws?
Dog owners must comply with all state and local leash laws that pertain to them. Although North Carolina does not have a statewide leash law in place, owners must still take precautions. Dog owners need to maintain control over their dogs at all times. Dogs cannot just run freely unless they are on your own property. Even then, you must make sure that your dog cannot go off your property and hurt someone. The owner must provide proof of rabies vaccination.
If a dog bites someone, the dog must go into quarantine for 10 days. This is to ensure that the dog does not have rabies. When a person with a dog bite injury visits the emergency room or seeks other medical treatment, the doctor must report the dog bite to the local animal services facility. A person with a dog bite injury should call the police and make a report.
What is the One Bite Rule?
Typically, North Carolina follows the “one bite” rule in dog bite cases. If a dog owner knows that their dog is vicious and has already bitten someone in the past, the owner is on notice. If the dog subsequently bites someone, the owner will be strictly liable for all damages. In order to prove a claim, you will need to show that the owner knew, or should have known, that their dog could do harm. For example, a neighbor may testify that the dog had come after them by growling, snapping, or even biting them. An owner of a dangerous dog must take extra precautions to ensure the safety of others.
A dog bite injury is not only painful, but it can be a serious health concern. Sometimes the injury requires surgery and ongoing treatment. The scars from a dog bite wound often require treatment. The care can be extremely expensive. The negligent party should pay for your medical costs and other damages such as lost wages and pain and suffering. If you are the victim of a dog bite injury, we can help. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 for a consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
Dog Bites: Preventing Infections and Treating Injuries (webmd.com)
U.S. pet ownership statistics | American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org)
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