In 2012 there were 38 Americans killed by dogs; 23 of these deaths were caused by pit bulls. Between 2007 and 2012, at least 15 children were killed by pit bulls. Put simply, if these dogs are not properly trained and raised, they can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt by an American pit bull terrier or other dangerous animal, you have the right to hold its owner(s) accountable. To speak with a North Carolina dog bite lawyer, call the Raleigh law firm of Maginnis Law at 919.526.0450.
The statistics on dog bites show that the majority of serious attacks involve pit bulls. This chart shows fatalities caused by different breeds of dogs between 2005 and 2012. Ten of the deaths during that period occurred in North Carolina. Whether a death or serious injury is involved, the owner of the pit bull can be held liable, but this is usually difficult to do without the assistance of a knowledge personal injury attorney. With automobile accidents, you’ll usually be contacted immediately by the at-fault party’s insurance company with a chance to negotiate for fair compensation. This is not the case with pit bull attack cases. In many instances, you’ll need an attorney to file a lawsuit and conduct “discovery” to build the case against the owner and to discover whether there is applicable homeowners’ insurance coverage.
If you can successfully prove that a pit bull owner acted negligently, there are variety of damages that are available to compensate you for your harms. Those include damages for medical and pharmaceutical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent impairment or disfigurement. This last category is important, as dog bite attacks often times leave scars that never completely heal.
Maginnis Law handles all pit bull attack cases on a contingency basis. This means that you do not pay attorneys’ fees unless and until we obtain a jury verdict or settlement on your behalf. The firm offers free consultations and will travel throughout North Carolina to meet with you and your family.
If you have been seriously injured by a pit bull attack, or have a child that has been hurt, you should immediately contact an attorney. These cases can be complicated and should be investigated early. To speak with the Raleigh pit bull attack attorneys of Maginnis Law, contact attorney Shawn Howard at 919.526.0450 or send a confidential email inquiry using our contact page. The firm represents animal attack victims throughout North Carolina, including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, Greenville, and Garner.
