Camp Lejeune US Marine Corp Base Water Contamination Poe Hall Affected Individuals Click Here! ×
Whitley Law Firm Injury Lawyers
  • About
    • Our Attorneys
      • Bob E. Whitley
      • Benjamin H. Whitley
      • Barrett Johnson
      • Jack Keener
      • Matthew Bissette
      • Ryan McCollum
      • Gabe Talton
      • Shelsey Hall
      • Dak Lee
    • Case Results
    • Blog
  • Practice Areas
    • Car Accident
    • Wrongful Death
    • Truck Accident
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Construction Accident
    • Motorcycle Accident
    • Pedestrian Accident
    • Dog Bite
    • Premises Liability
    • Product Liability
      • Allergen Breast Implants
      • Hair Relaxer
      • Paragard IUD
      • Paraquat
      • Roundup
      • Talcum Powder
    • Dangerous Drugs
      • Belviq
      • Depo-Provera
      • Elmiron
      • Mounjaro/Ozempic
      • Tepezza
      • Valsartan
    • Defective Medical Devices
      • Exactech Hip Implants
      • Medtronic Insulin Pump
      • Penumbra
      • Powerport
      • Inferior Vena Cava
    • View All Practice Areas
  • Areas We Serve
    • Raleigh
    • Charlotte
    • Winston-Salem
    • Durham
    • Cary
    • Greenville
    • View All Areas We Serve
  • Community
    • Community Cares
    • In the Community
    • Free ‘Attorney on Call’ Book
    • Scholarship
  • FAQs
  • Videos
    • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
    • Free Case Evaluation
    • Careers
    • Business Opportunities
    • Free “Attorney on Call” Book
    • Press Opportunity
  • En Español
Call Now—Free & Confidential (800) 785-5000
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Blog
  4. »
  5. Should I Get a Lawyer for a Dog Bite?
On This Page
  1. Why Do I Need a Dog Bite Lawyer?
  2. Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer Today

Get Free Advice About
The Compensation
You Deserve

Have a case?

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Dog Bite?

Cuándo ponerse en contacto con un abogado especializado en mordeduras de perro | Whitley Law Firm

Dog bites can be serious injuries. And yet, a number of people simply seek treatment for the injury and then try to get on with their lives. Many dog bite victims are unaware that they may have a right to compensation.

Although you may be entitled to recovery of damages related to a dog bite – including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more – it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after the attack. An experienced dog bite lawyer can assess your case and advise you of your options for pursuing the compensation you deserve.

The Whitley Law Firm can help if you or a loved one has been bitten by a dog. Contact us in Raleigh, Kinston, or New Bern today for a free case evaluation.

Why Do I Need a Dog Bite Lawyer?

You may think that your dog bite claim is straightforward. Someone else’s dog bit you, and the owner is responsible, right?

Even if this summary of events is technically correct, the unfortunate reality is that recovering fair compensation is usually not so simple. To achieve a favorable outcome in your case, it is often necessary to work with a knowledgeable dog bite lawyer.

Some of the main reasons to hire an attorney after a dog attack include:

The Whitley Advantage isn’t just one thing – it’s everything.

Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800) 785-5000

1. Establishing Liability

Liability is a complex issue in dog bite claims in North Carolina. Owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by dangerous dogs. North Carolina law defines a dangerous dog as:

  • “A dog that … Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or
  • “A dog that … Is determined by the person or Board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one or more of the [following] behaviors:
    • “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.”

If the dog is not classified as dangerous, the owner is only liable if:

  • The dog is older than 6 months of age; and
  • The dog is allowed to “run large” (i.e., the dog is not supervised or controlled by the owner, a family member, or someone entrusted to care for the dog) at night; and
  • The dog causes personal injury, property damage, and/or death in the course of running large in the nighttime

Establishing the liability of the owner is crucial for recovering damages in a dog bite claim. Your attorney can review municipal and county records and other evidence to determine if the dog represented a known danger, as well as the owner’s negligence in containing a dog that presented a threat to others.

Having an experienced lawyer on your side is also crucial for handling issues of contributory negligence in your case. The owner may argue that you provoked the dog, resulting in the injuries from the bite or attack. If this argument is successful and you are found in any way partly responsible, you will be barred from recovering damages.

2. Assessing Your Injuries

Victims of dog bites may suffer multiple injuries. The bacteria in dogs’ mouths also present a high risk of infection. Some of these injuries can have significant long-term effects, from scarring that alters your appearance to physical disability stemming from damage to bones, soft tissue, and nerves.

When filing a claim against the owner of the dog that attacked you, it is crucial to account for all of the ways that your injuries affect you at present, as well as issues and complications you may experience in the future. A dog bite attorney can enlist expert witnesses to review the evidence in your case and provide testimony concerning how the injuries impact your day-to-day life, your ability to earn a living, and more.

This firm has always been about people and helping them.

Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800) 785-5000

3. Calculating Damages

In addition to the physical and emotional hardships, dog attacks can take a toll on your finances. Medical bills can add up quickly, your ability to pay for monthly expenses can suffer if you are unable to work, and you may incur a number of unexpected costs in adjusting to life after the injury.

The nature and extent of your injuries will have a significant impact on the compensation you may be able to recover after a dog bite. An experienced attorney can calculate the damages in your dog bite claim. In addition to compensation for economic losses, you may be entitled to compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and more.

Costs associated with these injuries are not always obvious, and they may not be represented on a bill or receipt. Qualified legal guidance is crucial for identifying all of the damages you may be able to recover.

We are committed to the highest quality client service and one-on-one attention.

Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800) 785-5000

4. Pursuing Compensation

After investigating the dog attack and building a strong case on your behalf, your attorney can file a claim with the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance carrier. Insurance companies are not in the business of offering fair settlements, so it is imperative to have a lawyer represent you in these negotiations.

The settlement in your dog bite claim should fairly compensate you for your losses. Though it may not cover every dollar of damages you sustain, the offer will ideally help you recoup the majority of your losses.

If the insurance company refuses to negotiate or won’t budge on an unfair offer, your lawyer may need to present your case at trial. Whether in settlement negotiations or in court, it is imperative to have experienced legal counsel acting on your behalf.

Meet Our Attorneys

Contact a Dog Bite Lawyer Today

Dog bites should always be taken seriously. After getting medical attention for your injuries, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and start building your claim.

The Whitley Law Firm has extensive experience handling dog bite claims. We understand the complexities of these cases, and our attorneys and staff are committed to pursuing the full compensation you and your family deserve.

Please call the Whitley Law Firm at (919) 785-5000 today for a free consultation. Our dog bite lawyers serve clients in Raleigh, Kinston, New Bern, and throughout North Carolina.

Learn about what makes us unique and why we are the right firm to help you.

Contact Us Today For a FREE Confidential Case Review (800) 785-5000
Dog Bite Blog Posts:
Dog Bites Are No Laughing Matter

Dog Bites Are No Laughing Matter

Dog bites are no joke - they affect as many as 4.7 million people in the US every year. According to a survey done by

Dog Bites: What to do if your child has been bitten.

Dog Bites: What to do if your child has been bitten.

Children and shorter individuals are often at the highest risk for dog bites in Raleigh, North Carolina and the

Is a Dog Bite Injury Compensable?

Is a Dog Bite Injury Compensable?

When a young child or adult is bitten or attacked by a dog, the owner and the victim immediately become wary of what

Understanding the Frequency of Dog Bites in North Carolina

Understanding the Frequency of Dog Bites in North Carolina

Although a substantial amount of people in the country have invited pets into their home, treating them as if they were

Benjamin H. Whitley

Benjamin H. Whitley

Attorney

Free Case Evaluation

To contact us by e-mail, please complete and submit the form below. Your question will be answered within 24 hours.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

  • Bicycle Accident
  • Boating
  • Brain Injury
  • Burn Injury
  • Bus Accident
  • Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Claims
  • Car Accident
  • Civil Lawsuits
  • Class Action
  • Community
  • Construction Accidents
  • COVID-19
  • Dangerous Drugs
  • Defective Products
  • Dog Bite
  • Firm News
  • In the News
  • Insurance
  • IVC Filter
  • Metal Hip Replacement
  • Motorcycle Accident
  • Naturalyte
  • News
  • Pedestrian
  • Personal Injury
  • Pharmacy Malpractice
  • Premises Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Safety
  • Slip and Fall
  • Social Security
  • Talcum Powder
  • Truck Accident
  • Uncategorized
  • Workers Compensation
  • Wrongful Death
Find Yourself a Passionate Lawyer Now!
  • Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Kinston Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Greensboro Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Winston Salem Personal Injury Lawyer
  • New Bern Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Durham Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Burlington Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Chapel Hill Personal Injury Lawyer

FAQs

What Type of Damages Can Be Recovered Following a Car Accident?

What Type of Damages Can Be Recovered Following a Car Accident?

What Types of On-The-Job Illnesses are Compensable?

What Types of On-The-Job Illnesses are Compensable?

What Types of Damages are Compensable in a Wrongful Death Claim?

What Types of Damages are Compensable in a Wrongful Death Claim?

FREE Case Evaluation

To contact us by e-mail, please complete and submit the form below. Your question will be answered within 24 hours.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get our latest news and updates delivered
directly to your inbox

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Whitley Law Firm Injury Lawyers

The Whitley Law Firm believes in giving back to the communities in which we live and work.

The Whitley Law Firm BBB Business Review

Important Links

  • About us
  • Testimonials
  • Case Results
  • Community Support
  • Car Accident Lawyers
  • Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
  • Free Case Evaluation

Areas Served

  • Raleigh
  • Greenville
  • Kinston
  • Jacksonville
  • New Bern
  • Winston-Salem
  • Durham
  • Burlington
  • Cary
  • Chapel Hill
  • Fayetteville
  • Greensboro
  • Rocky Mount
  • Southern Pines
  • Wake Forest
  • Wilson

Contact Info

1000 Social St. Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27609
Get Directions
(800) 785-5000

© Copyright 2025 Whitley Law Firm Injury Lawyers.
All Rights Reserved.
Past results do not guarantee future success

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Giveaway Terms
  • Sitemap
Hennessey-Digital-Badge