If you are looking for the best dog bite attorney in Charleston to represent your personal injury case, the Charleston personal injury lawyers at Leeke Law Firm can provide full legal support to assist your legal claim. Dog bite victims have the right to seek restitution through South Carolina’s civil court system.
Our team of personal injury lawyers can help you navigate past state and local laws related to laws to obtain a favorable settlement. In addition to serving papers to the pet owner, we manage negotiations with insurance, and reach out to witnesses on your behalf.
The major damage that a dog bite can cause is a horrific experience that should not be faced alone. We can make the recovery process easier for you and provide you with the attention and support required to financially recover. We offer free initial consultations whenever you are ready.
Actions to Take When Attacked By a Dog
When dog bites occur, many fail to file a personal injury claim to take legal action for justice and compensation. Here are the most critical steps to take to fight back and recoup damages:
- Get the owner’s contact and insurance information after being bitten.
- No matter how mild the bite is, seek medical treatment.
- Keep detailed records of the attack. Snap pictures of your wounds and the attack scene.
- Obtain eyewitness testimony from anyone, including first responders, who may have witnessed the attack.
- Get in touch with a dog bite attorney in Charleston to get free legal advice. Give any pertinent information, including any relevant medical records.
If you were hospitalized for a long period of time or suffered severe injuries, you will have a strong legal claim. There are only certain instances in which dog owners can avoid responsibility as South Carolina’s state laws adopt strict liability against the owners.
Dog Bite Regulations for South Carolina
Thousands of people are sent to the emergency room each year to be treated for dog bites. In South Carolina, their laws were amended to hold owners accountable for instances in which their dogs bit someone unless the dog was provoked.
South Carolina Code of Laws Title 47 Chapter 3 explains the regulations for dog attacks and lists punishment for certain offenses. There are other statutes for landlords and caretakers that your dog bites attorney in Charleston, SC can explain if your case includes such instances.
What Defense Arguments Can Dog Owners Use to Avoid Liability?
Despite the fact that the law favors victims more, owners nevertheless have rights. The owner is immune from liability if the any of the following occur:
Provocation
Many things can cause a victim to provoke a dog. They might mistreat the canine by touching it in a way that provokes an attack. The dog can be verbally teased.
Harassment
They might also harass or pester the dog. Robbing a dog of its food, water, or puppies can provoke the dog to bite the sufferer.
Trespassing
The owner is not responsible if the victim was trespassing. People performing a legal obligation, such as delivering mail, are not entitled to a trespassing defense.
Recovering Damages After Being Bitten by a Canine in South Carolina
Settlements are the primary method of resolving dog bite cases. In a single recent year, homeowners’ insurance companies paid out over $800 million in liability claims relating to dog attacks and other dog-related accidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
In rare circumstances, insurance companies may offer claimants rapid settlements, but in most situations, these offers are for significantly less than what the victims are really entitled to. Those who accept such settlements frequently learn too late that the money won’t be enough to pay for future medical expenses.
A dog bites lawyer in Charleston, SC may help you recover economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic losses include intangible forms of injury like deformity or suffering. A victim may also be given punitive damages in extremely uncommon circumstances.
If You’ve Been Bitten By a Dog, Fight Back Today
If you were lawful and did not provoke the dog, the owner is responsible for any attack-related expenses and emotional damage suffered. South Carolina has strict laws to protect the public from dog attacks, even for a first infraction, the penalties are severe. Being bitten by a dog can cause:
- Diseases like tetanus, rabies, and bacteremia
- Physical harm, including fractures of the skull, bruising, lacerations, puncture wounds, and broken bones
- Long-term psychological damage, such as phobias and anxiety disorders brought on by the stress of the event
- Death in extreme circumstances
Trust the Charleston dog bites attorneys of Leeke Law Firm to defend your rights and help you heal. Contact us today to schedule a risk-free consultation at no cost to you. If you are too injured to come into our office, arrangements can be made.
