Have you suffered devastating injuries after being attacked by a dog in Spindale? Have your injuries had a significant impact on your life financially, physically, or psychologically?
If so, you may have grounds for legal action against the dog’s owner or other liable parties. A Spindale dog bite lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC could help you get justice. Contact our office for a free consultation today and learn more about how you can get the most out of your insurance and civil claims.
Common Dog Bite Injuries to Sue For in Spindale
Spindale dog bites have been known to produce devastating injuries. Under the worst conditions, it is possible for dog attacks to cause virtually any type of injury.
However, there are some types of injuries seen more frequently in Spindale civil courts. Some of the more common types of injuries caused by dog bites include:
- Lacerations leading to sepsis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Disfigurement
- Dismemberment
- Loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression and anxiety
- Internal bleeding
- Organ failure
- Head, neck, and back injuries
These are just a few of the more common types of injuries you could be diagnosed with following a dog bite. If you have suffered another type of injury after being attacked or bit by a dog, be sure to contact our office to discuss your legal options going forward.
Dog Owner Liability Exclusions
There are some instances in which dog owners may be able to avoid being held accountable for the actions of their dogs.
First, it is important to note that individuals who are trespassing or committing a crime when they are attacked may not be able to recover total compensation from the dog’s owner. If a dog attacked you while you were trespassing on the dog owner’s property, it is unlikely you could recover compensation for your damages.
Further, individuals who are found to have provoked a dog into acting aggressively or biting also find it difficult to hold the dog owner accountable. Kicking, hitting, scratching, throwing objects, yelling, and other acts of violence or aggression towards a dog may be considered provoking behavior.
North Carolina is a contributory fault state. If you are partially at fault for your injuries due to trespassing or provoking a dog, you may lose your right to be compensated in Spindale civil courts.
North Carolina Statute of Limitations
Although bringing your case to court or filing a claim with the insurance company may be the furthest thing from your mind while you heal from your injuries, it is important to act quickly. The sooner you get an attorney on your case, the less likely it is that the statute of limitations will affect your ability to move forward with your dog bite claim.
Under North Carolina law, personal injury lawsuits, including dog bite claims in Spindale, must be filed before the three-year statute of limitations expires. If the statute of limitations deadline passes, and your lawsuit has not been filed, you may lose your chance to have your case heard in Spindale civil courts.
Dealing With the Insurance Company
One of the top ways to recover compensation following a dog bite is filing a claim with the dog owner’s insurance company. Dog owners often have homeowner’s insurance policies, renters’ insurance policies, or general liability insurance policies that protect them in the event their dog attacks or bites someone.
If the dog’s owner has such insurance, you may be able to file a claim with their insurance company to recover certain types of damages. However, depending on the amount of coverage purchased by the policyholder, the amount of compensation you can require through insurance settlement may be limited.
For this reason, you should be prepared to file a lawsuit against the dog’s owner, even if you are awarded an injury settlement, if you hope to recover maximum compensation for your suffering.
Recovering Maximum Compensation for Your Damages
Dog bite claims have been known to affect injury victims’ lives in more ways than one. You have the right to be compensated for every loss you suffered as a result of your dog bite injuries and the incident itself.
Your attorney will need to closely evaluate all of the ways your life has been affected to accurately calculate the value of your claim. Some of the damages you may be able to recover in your Spindale dog bite insurance and civil claims include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Loss of companionship in love
- Medical expenses and equipment fees
- Emotional distress
Get Help From a Dog Bite Lawyer in Spindale Today
You have the right to be compensated for every way your life has been affected when a dog bites you or a loved one.
Get help holding the liable party accountable for their negligence when you contact a Spindale dog bite lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC. Schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation by calling our office or completing our online contact form.