Experienced Dog Bite Attorneys Serving Greensboro, NC
Help For Victims Of Dog Bites
Our most recent dog bite case was heartbreaking. A family was visiting their neighbors home, and they had a pit bull. The pit bull had never attacked anyone, never bit anyone, and had been a family pet for ten years. The family took their five-year-old daughter with them. She had petted the pit bull many times over the years. However, something was different this time.
This time the pit bull attacked her and bit her repeatedly on her hands and face. She was not near the dog’s food, and she just tried to pet the dog. She needed countless stitches and plastic surgeries to help close the wounds. The girl will physically and emotionally be scarred for life. The neighbors were great friends of this family and they too were devastated. They filed a claim on their homeowner’s insurance policy. The insurance company would not pay the claim. It took more than a year of litigation to pay the claim to help pay for the child’s medical bills and future scar revisions.
Even though many people will disagree, pit bulls can be dangerous. At Roane Law, we have handled many dog bite cases and the vast majority of severe injuries involve pit bulls. While smaller dogs bite more often, they don’t do the damage that pit bulls can cause. Just because a person is bit, this doesn’t mean that there is a case. Usually, it takes fairly significant injuries to pursue a dog bite case. Our Greensboro dog bite lawyers have litigated many serious dog bite cases.
We Will Talk To You For Free To See If You Have A Case Or Not
Although most domestic pets are friendly, there is always the possibility that something might change the behavior of an animal. In North Carolina, dog bite liability primarily arises when the owner of a dangerous dog doesn’t keep it contained. Across the state, news stories describe dog attacks on children waiting on the school bus or someone walking down the street. Dog bite injuries can result in serious injuries such as permanent disfigurement and scarring, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe blood loss, and even paralysis or wrongful death. If the dog has a history of biting or attacking people, then the owners must take precautions. Dogs are man’s best friend, but sometimes man is not their best friend and chains them up too long or mistreats them.
These dogs can become vicious and innocent people pay the price. There are specific laws dealing with dog bite cases and certain dogs are considered by statute to be dangerous dogs. Call our office if you would like more information. We would love to talk to you for free so that you at least know where you stand. In order to obtain a Greensboro dog bite lawyer that is familiar with the laws in these types of cases, it is best to find one that really understands the laws. At Roane Law, we have the skill and resources to provide you with the type of representation you need to pursue your claim in settlement or at trial.
Current Dog Attack Case
A suit was filed in Alamance County Superior Court for the suffering of John Richard from the attack of a neighbor’s pit bull. In order to prove that the dog owner was negligent, Attorney Roane had to prove that the owner should have known that the dog was dangerous. He built a case based on several principles. First, the breed of the dog was considered, and since the dog was a pit bull, it fit the categorization of an aggressive breed. Second, if there is a background of aggressive behavior, such as aggressive growling. In this case, the pit bull allegedly killed and ate a deer. The plaintiff is pursuing a large settlement on the grounds that the defendant should have been aware that the dog was dangerous and that the fence was not sufficient protection.
Case Results
$100,000 Settlement
Dog Bite Attack While Pet-Sitting
In September, we resolved a case for a client who was attacked by a friend’s pit bull while caring for the friend’s two dogs. The settlement compensated the client for medical care, scarring, and related losses.
People often want to know if the dog owner is automatically responsible for injuries caused by their pet. North Carolina follows a combination of strict liability and the “one-bite rule.” Owners are strictly liable if the dog is deemed “dangerous” (e.g., has a history of aggression or severe bites) or was running at large at night. Otherwise, under the one-bite rule, liability may depend on whether the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. Victims may also face challenges due to the state’s contributory negligence law, which bars recovery if they provoked the dog or were partially at fault. Learn more about who is held liable in North Carolina.
This question arises as victims seek guidance on protecting their health and legal rights. Recommended steps include seeking medical attention to prevent infection or rabies, reporting the bite to local animal control or the health department (required by law), documenting injuries and the incident with photos, gathering witness information, and consulting a personal injury attorney. North Carolina law mandates a 10-day quarantine for the dog to check for rabies.
Victims frequently ask about the time limit for pursuing legal action. In North Carolina, the statute of limitations for dog bite cases, classified as personal injury claims, is three years from the date of the incident. Missing this deadline typically results in the case being dismissed.
This question stems from confusion about the one-bite rule. In North Carolina, if a dog has no prior history of aggression, the owner may not be liable unless they were negligent (e.g., violated leash laws) or the dog was running at large at night. Proving negligence or exceptions to the one-bite rule often requires legal expertise, making this a common inquiry.
Both victims and owners ask about the consequences for the dog. State law requires a 10-day quarantine to monitor for rabies, which can occur at the owner’s home, a veterinary hospital, or an animal control facility. If the dog shows no signs of rabies, it is typically released. However, if classified as dangerous due to severe injuries or repeated aggression, the court may order stricter containment or, in extreme cases, euthanasia.
Why Choose Roane Law for Your Dog Bite Injury Case?
Dog bite claims demand speed, precision, and courtroom credibility. At Roane Law, we’ve spent nearly three decades fighting for injury victims across Greensboro and North Carolina. Led by founding attorney James M. Roane III, our trial-ready team builds cases the right way from day one—so insurers know we’re prepared to go the distance if they don’t deal fairly.
Over 50 Five-Star Reviews: Do to our commitment to excellence, we have received numerous five-star reviews across Greensboro; see some of them here.
Successfully Tried and Won Close to a Thousand Cases: Throughout our experience, we’ve handled hundreds of cases, nearly a thousand, and have prevailed in the great majority we’ve taken to trial. See some of our case results here.
Trial Strength in Greensboro That Moves Cases: With jury wins across Piedmont counties and appellate-level experience, we prepare every dog bite case as if it will be tried—giving you leverage at the negotiating table. Our lawyers have decades of experience serving specifically in Greensboro, so we know the area and the residents well.
Rapid Evidence Preservation: We immediately secure animal control reports, medical records, photos of wounds/scars, and witness statements—and track down prior complaints or incidents to prove dangerous behavior.
Liability Built on the Facts: Our attorneys connect the dots on owner negligence, leash-law and ordinance violations, prior knowledge of aggression, and homeowner/renter’s policy coverage to open the right insurance doors.
Personal, Attorney-Led Attention: You’re never a file number. You’ll work directly with our lawyers for clear guidance, steady communication, and a plan tailored to your recovery.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee—you pay nothing unless we win. While you focus on healing, we focus on results.
If you or a loved one was bitten or attacked by a dog, don’t wait. Evidence goes stale and deadlines apply. Contact us today to protect your rights and start building your case.
Meet Our Founding Attorney: James M. Roane III
Attorney James Roane turned a life-changing 1995 car crash—and firsthand frustration with insurance companies—into a career of relentless advocacy for the injured. Since earning his J.D. from Wake Forest in 1999, he’s secured results for clients in courtrooms across North Carolina and is known for meticulous case prep, persuasive negotiation, and a trial-ready mindset that benefits every dog bite client.
James’ credentials include:
Experienced Trial Attorney: Represented only plaintiffs since 1999, with jury wins throughout the Piedmont.
Respected Legal Leader: “Most Outstanding Advocate” (NC Academy of Trial Lawyers) and AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Dedicated Educator: Long-time trial advocacy instructor at Elon University School of Law, mentoring the next generation of litigators.
Trusted Advocate: Known for high-value settlements and verdicts in challenging personal injury cases, including dog bite and animal-attack claims.
James is supported by our tight-knit team of proven litigators who share his commitment to hands-on representation and results for injured North Carolinians.
Schedule A Consultation With The Firm
Greensboro dog bite lawyer, James Roane is an experienced attorney who has handled cases with injuries from animal attacks. His legal team at Roane Law will thoroughly investigate and interview any witnesses. Even though our office is in Greensboro, we can drive almost anywhere to come and meet with you. We have handled cases all across Piedmont including Lexington, Reidsville, High Point, Winston-Salem, Burlington, etc. Dog or other animal bites can be a serious matter, contact an attorney at our firm to discuss your personal injury claim.
