Dog Bite Lawyer
Dog Bite Attorneys Serving NC, SC & GA
Dog bite injuries can be far more serious than many people realize. A single dog bite can cause deep puncture wounds, torn flesh, broken bones, nerve damage, and severe infections. Children are especially vulnerable and frequently suffer bites to the face, head, and neck. The physical scars from a dog attack may be permanent, and the emotional trauma — particularly for children — can last a lifetime. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our dog bite lawyers fight to hold negligent dog owners accountable and secure full compensation for victims.
Dog bite laws vary significantly between North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and understanding these differences is critical to building a successful claim. Our attorneys have extensive experience with the dog bite laws in all three states and know how to navigate the unique legal requirements of each jurisdiction.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dog attacks can cause a wide range of injuries:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations
- Crush injuries from powerful jaws
- Facial and scalp injuries
- Nerve damage and loss of sensation
- Broken bones, particularly in hands and fingers
- Infections including rabies, MRSA, and cellulitis
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma, fear of dogs, and PTSD
Children under 10 are the most common victims of severe dog bites and are most likely to require reconstructive surgery for facial injuries.
State Dog Bite Laws
North Carolina
North Carolina follows a combination of the one-bite rule and a strict liability statute. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 67-4.4, the owner of a dangerous dog is strictly liable for injuries if the dog has been previously declared dangerous by animal control. For dogs not declared dangerous, the common law one-bite rule applies — the owner is liable if they knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. The general negligence statute of limitations of 3 years applies. Contributory negligence is a defense.
South Carolina
South Carolina has a strict liability dog bite statute. Under S.C. Code § 47-3-110, a dog owner is liable for damages when their dog attacks a person who is in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the owner knew the dog was dangerous. This is one of the most victim-friendly dog bite laws in the country. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Georgia
Georgia follows a modified one-bite rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7. The owner of a vicious or dangerous dog is liable for injuries if the dog was not restrained and the injured person did not provoke the attack. Evidence that the owner knew the dog was dangerous (through prior biting incidents, aggressive behavior, or breed-specific tendencies) is important. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Who Is Liable for a Dog Bite?
Liability in dog bite cases can extend beyond the dog's owner:
- Dog owners — The primary responsible party in most cases.
- Property owners — Landlords who allow dangerous dogs on their property or fail to enforce pet policies.
- Dog walkers and caretakers — Anyone with temporary custody and control of the dog.
- Parents of minor dog owners — Parents may be liable for their minor child's dog.
Compensation for Dog Bite Victims
Dog bite victims may recover compensation for emergency medical treatment and hospitalization, reconstructive and plastic surgery, infection treatment, ongoing medical care and therapy, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress and PTSD, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and loss of quality of life. Our attorneys work with medical specialists and mental health professionals to document the full extent of our clients' injuries and ensure that every aspect of their damages is accounted for.
Contact Us
If you or your child has been bitten or attacked by a dog, contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today. We offer free consultations and handle all dog bite cases on a contingency fee basis.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.