Many families welcome dogs into their homes and consider them an essential part of their lives. Even if you do not own a canine, you may still encounter them while shopping, walking, or dining outside. While they are usually friendly, tragedy can strike when a dog bites a person.
Understanding how the law and insurance policies apply to these situations in the Lowcountry requires a skilled Goose Creek personal injury lawyer. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we specialize in personal injury claims, including animal attacks. To learn more about how our personal injury firm after a dog bite, schedule a free consultation today.
Why You Should Choose Shelly Leeke for Your Dog Bite Claim
Whether a dog has a past of biting people or not, you must find out who is to blame and hold them accountable. This can be challenging when you are not an attorney, but the team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm is ready to take on this task for you. We offer years of experience managing insurance claims and lawsuits to secure the compensation our clients deserve for their injuries.
Trust us with your dog bite claim because:
- We listen compassionately to your story, educating you on how the law can support your claim.
- We investigate your situation to determine who is liable for the attack.
- We develop the evidence against the at-fault parties to hold them accountable.
- We negotiate for a fair and appropriate settlement with insurance companies.
- We present your case with a compelling narrative to persuade a judge and jury of your claim.
- We answer your questions and are by your side throughout the process.
- We work on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay us until and unless we win for you.
Our clients rely on us for superior legal representation in a wide range of cases, including holding negligent dog owners accountable. We have an impressive record of settlements and jury awards from over a decade of providing counsel to the communities we serve.
Determining Liability in a Goose Creek Dog Bite Case
In some cases, it is easy to identify the owner of the dog. They may have been walking the dog when it bit you, or it could have jumped over the fence of its home to attack. However, when a dog is running loose in a neighborhood, park, or trail, it can be more difficult to establish who is to blame.
Liability is not limited to just the dog’s owner. If the harness, leash, or collar breaks, you may have a claim against the manufacturer. If the owner’s fence was poorly made or installed, you could seek damages from the company that produced, sold, or installed it.
Your Goose Creek dog bites attorney from Shelly Leeke Law Firm will investigate all potential avenues for compensation. We will file insurance claims where applicable and pursue legal action when required to seek justice for the negligence of others. Dog bites can cause significant injury and scarring to victims of all ages, and you will need financial relief for your medical expenses.
South Carolina Laws Governing Dog Bites
Across South Carolina, any owner whose dog bites another person will be held accountable for the injuries and damage caused by the attack. There can be other parties who are also liable, but the dog owner will be the primary source of compensation. South Carolina law provides this relief for victims no matter where the bite occurred or the breed of dog involved.
The state also maintains a “dangerous animal” statute that requires the owners of these animals to keep their dogs well contained. Their pens must be properly constructed to keep the dog from escaping, and the owner must post signs indicating the dog is dangerous. These animals cannot be allowed to run loose, even in the owner’s home or private property. Doing so puts the owner at risk of fines and jail time.
There Is No One-Bite Rule in Goose Creek, SC
Some states allow a dog one bite without any consequences for the owner. South Carolina does not follow this practice. The owner is responsible for every bite, every time.
Potential Injuries from a Goose Creek Dog Bite
Dog bites can be extremely damaging, especially to small children or infants. Even an adult can be severely injured when a dog is large or vicious. Some breeds are more prone to attacks, but all dogs can be prompted to bite in the right circumstances.
Your dog bites lawyer in Goose Creek, SC, has handled cases with substantial injuries, including:
- Hand and foot injuries
- Loss of limb due to the bite or emergency amputation
- Facial wounds
- Scarring
- Puncture wounds on the arms, legs, and body
- Internal bleeding
- Trauma from being shaken, especially with infants and toddlers
- Loss of eyes, lips, ears, or nose
Those responsible for allowing the dog to attack must compensate victims for these devastating injuries, even if the attack was unintentional.
Recovering Financially for Your Damages After a Dog Bite
A dog bite can be minor physically, but you could suffer significant emotional and psychological trauma afterward. When an attack causes severe medical injury, you could face a lengthy recovery. In the most catastrophic cases, the victim may be permanently disabled or die.
Every penny of your losses must be repaid, from doctor bills to pain and suffering. Your first option will likely be to file an insurance claim against the dog’s owner. Homeowner’s insurance is usually responsible for paying dog bite claims since the dog is technically property that hurt someone.
Who to Sue
If other entities are responsible, such as a fence or harness manufacturer, your dog bites attorney in Goose Creek will aggressively seek to hold them accountable. While Shelly Leeke and her team are highly skilled at negotiating satisfactory settlements with insurance companies, we prepare for court from the beginning. If they do not meet our demands, we will file a lawsuit to secure what you need.
We help you recover both economic (monetary) and non-economic (subjective) damages, such as:
- Medical bills
- Surgery costs
- Emergency transport costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Amputation
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Physical and emotional therapy
Our team will work tirelessly to assist you with your physical, emotional, and financial recovery from a dog bite. You should not have to face a life-altering injury like this without appropriate compensation from those responsible.
Hire a Qualified Goose Creek Dog Bites Lawyer Today
You do not have to suffer the aftermath of a dog attack without support. While you recover from your injuries, a Goose Creek dog bites lawyer can manage every aspect of your insurance claim or lawsuit so you can rest.
South Carolina only allows three years for you to file a lawsuit against the dog owner. Do not delay taking action, or you could risk losing your chance to obtain justice. Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm for a free case evaluation today.
