When a dog bite incident occurs, the victim may decide to file a civil lawsuit. This allows them to seek compensation for their injuries that resulted from the dog bite attack. It does not matter how big or small your dog bite is. Every case and injury is important to your Greenville dog bite lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm, who is available 24/7 when you need us most.
We will make sure the owner of the dog that bit you is found liable for the emotional and physical pain you have suffered. Take the time to schedule a free consultation with a Greenville personal injury lawyer to find out if you have a workable claim. We are educated and trained on the laws surrounding these types of attacks and will help you understand the process of a dog bite lawsuit when you take advantage of our no-win, no-fee guarantee.
Dog Bite Incidents in South Carolina
It is common to see at least a dog or two out whenever you leave your home, take a stroll, or even go to a community park. You may even find yourself wanting to bend down and pet the dog. However, some dogs are unfriendly, aggressive, or show signs of nervousness, which could cause them to bite.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control reported that almost 75,000 dog-related incidents occurred in the state of South Carolina since 2018. These incidents typically are the owner’s fault as it is their responsibility to keep their dog on a leash, warn if their dog is aggressive or unfriendly, and ensure that no one gets hurt by their dog. When this does not happen, the owner may be considered irresponsible for their negligent behavior.
Various Dog Bite Cases Our Greenville Law Firm Has Handled
Our firm has handled several different dog bite cases throughout the years. When these cases are presented to our legal team, we handle them with compassion, care, and understanding. The following are the most typical types of injuries that we have seen from dog bites in the Greenville area:
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Fractured bones
- Punctured skin
- Face Injuries
- Infections
- Catastrophic injury
- Emotional trauma
- Eye injuries
- Damages to the skin and tissue
- Neck injuries
- Scarring
- Lacerations
- Traumatic brain injury
How a Dog Bite Attorney in Greenville Can Help
After any type of attack or accident, feeling overwhelmed, stressed, frustrated, and hopeless is common. During this rough patch in your life, a dog bite lawyer in Greenville can help you through the legal process and ensure that you receive fairness and financial assistance to cover any costs resulting from your injuries. All you need to do is provide evidence that the dog bite happened and that it was due to the owner’s negligence.
Some of the pieces of evidence that we may want to see include medical reports from the hospital or doctor’s office, police reports, photos of your dog bite after it happened, and witness statements. By providing this type of evidence, we can tell you if you have a viable claim, if negligence was a factor that can be proven, and how much you may receive in compensation. Your dog bite attorney in Greenville will explain every detail of your case, file the lawsuit on your behalf, and prepare an argument against the defendant.
In the end, you could receive fair compensation to cover your growing bills and help with other financial and non-financial consequences arising from your attack. A few common losses filed under a dog attack are medical bills, lost wages, counseling, surgeries, physical therapy, and more. Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm for assistance with your claim, and we will ensure that you are treated fairly and justly after the emotional trauma and physical pain you have endured. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
When to Contact a Trusted Greenville Dog Bite Attorney
When you have been bitten by a dog and know that it was because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to file a dog bite lawsuit. However, you must take action within a specific time limit. According to the South Carolina Code of Laws §15-3-530, you must file a claim within the first three years from the date you received your injuries to ensure your claim is filed before the statute of limitations expires.
This is important to remember because your case will not be heard even if you are only a few days late. Therefore, your dog bite attorney in Greenville recommends acting quickly and carefully to protect your rights. We know that you need time to focus on healing your injuries, and three years may sound like a long time.
However, once you feel you are in a good place to reach out to an experienced lawyer, consider doing so as soon as possible. We are always available and ready to ensure that those who cause pain and hardships to others are held accountable. Do not miss out on the compensation you could have recovered if you had filed sooner.
Greenville Dog Bite FAQ
Do I Need to Pay Out of Pocket to Hire a Dog Bite Lawyer in Greenville?
No, you do not need to pay out-of-pocket to hire a dog bite lawyer when you choose Shelly Leeke Law Firm. We work for our clients on contingency agreements almost exclusively. Our contingency fee basis is in line with the South Carolina Judicial Branch Rule 1.5: Fees, so we only get paid if we win compensation for your damages.
You do not even need to pay for experts to analyze the evidence, filing fees, or any other miscellaneous costs that may arise. If someone else is at fault, you should not need to take out a home equity loan or tap into your retirement savings to demand justice.
Will I Be Awarded Punitive Damages for My Dog Bite Injuries?
It is difficult to say. According to South Carolina Code §15-32-530, the criteria for punitive damages is strict. Unless the defendant’s conduct is grossly negligent or egregious in some way, punitive damages may not apply.
Punitive damages may be appropriate, for example, if the dog’s owner has received multiple complaints of dog aggression or if their animal has previously attacked someone. The dog being designated “dangerous” in accordance with the South Carolina Code of Laws could also warrant punitive damages. We will know more about whether punitive damages could be expected in your settlement after having reviewed the specific details of your dog bite or animal attack.
Can I Sue for Emotional Distress After a Dog Bite?
You should absolutely sue for emotional distress after a dog bite. Emotional distress, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and other intangible losses may not have a financial value, but their impact on your life is undeniable. There is no reason you should be forced to struggle while the owner gets away with their negligence.
You can rely on your dog bite attorney to carefully evaluate the way your life is being affected by your emotional trauma. This way, we can ensure we are accurately quantifying these damages. Since non-economic damages like emotional distress may not be covered by insurance, to recover compensation for these types of damages, you may need to prepare to file a dog bite lawsuit.
What Do I Do if My Child Was Killed in a Dog Attack?
Fatal injuries to children are more common than you might think in dog bites and animal attacks. While the dog owner may face criminal charges, you can take action of your own and demand justice for your child by filing a wrongful death action against them. Your Greenville wrongful death lawyer can help you fight for compensation and ensure the dog’s owner is held accountable for their negligence to the fullest extent of the law.
Reach Out to a Reputable Greenville Dog Bite Attorney at Shelly Leeke Law Firm Today
A dog bite may be one of the most terrifying and unexpected experiences that a person can have. You not only are dealing with lost income from being out of work and growing medical bills from your injuries, but you are also experiencing the pain and emotional suffering that comes with being attacked by a canine. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we take these cases seriously.
We will ensure that justice is served and that you get the financial help you need. Call a trial-proven Greenville dog bite lawyer today or fill out our contact form for a free case evaluation. We are a team of understanding and passionate legal advocates who go above and beyond for our clients. We have the experience, knowledge, and training to get you your desired outcome.
