A dog owner failed to keep their dog restrained, and you are suffering as a result. As a trusted, experienced, and dedicated Myrtle Beach dog bite lawyer, you can count on our team to help you get results. At the Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer, with more than a decade of experience, will take your case seriously.
The Importance of a Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Attorney
Dog bite injuries can occur without warning. Many individuals and families in the Lowcountry love their canine companions. Yet dogs are always capable of inflicting serious bodily injury on others.
Senior citizens and children are the two groups of people that are most likely to suffer dog bite injuries. All dog owners should make sure to keep their dogs on a leash when they are out in crowded areas. Some individuals may adopt a dog and be unaware of the dog’s violent behavior.
Our team has more than a decade of experience representing clients in dog bite injury cases. It can be difficult to know where to turn if you suffer a dog bite injury while you are going about your day. Speaking with a knowledgeable Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer can help you learn more about the legal options available to you.
The Most Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs are capable of causing serious bodily injury. The CDC no longer tracks dog bite injuries. However, independent sources are dedicated to collecting state and national data.
Dog bite accidents are serious and lead to numerous losses among victims. How many people are injured by dog bites each year? According to national dog bite sources, quick statistics:
- Nearly 1,000 people are treated in the ER for dog bite injuries every day.
- More than 4.5 million people are seriously injured by dog bites each year.
- In the last reporting year for CDC dog bite fatality data, there were more dog bite fatalities recorded than ever before. According to data, 81 people lost their lives in dog attacks.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
If you have any dog bite injuries, our attorney can provide you with the help and support you need. Sometimes, dog bites can cause permanent injuries that require lifelong medical treatment. The following are some of the most common types of dog bite injuries suffered by injured victims:
- Bacterial infections
- Disfigurement
- Amputations
- Puncture wounds
- Severe lacerations
- Injured ligaments
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Bone fractures
Many other types of injuries may occur due to a dog bite. The owner of the dog may also be liable for the injuries a victim suffers while attempting to flee from an attacking dog. Many dog bite accident victims do not realize the extent of their injuries until they are in a safe place away from the dog that attacked them.
The More Evidence You Have, the Better
It is important to document the injuries you suffer due to a dog bite. Photographs, videos, and injury journals can all be helpful forms of evidence in a dog bite injury case. It may be necessary for you to be assessed by different medical specialists so your injuries do not become more severe.
Damages in Dog Bite Injury Cases
The types of damages an injured victim can claim in a dog bite injury case will depend on the nature and extent of their injuries. However, many dog bite injury cases feature the same types of damages claims. You may be owed compensation for any damages you have suffered.
Damages are generally divided into economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages include lost wages, medical bills, and lost future earnings. Non-economic damages are more subjective and include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The following are some of the most common types of damages claimed in dog bite injury cases:
- Long-term medical treatment
- Prosthetic devices
- Medical equipment
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation services
- Medical testing
- Hospitalization costs
- Physician’s fees
- Lost future earnings
- Lost wages
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Psychological suffering
- Physical pain
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What Happened to You?
This is not a comprehensive list of the types of damages dog bite injury victims can claim. Every dog bite case is unique, and the facts of each case often dictate which types of legal claims can be brought against the defendants. When you speak to our dog bite lawyer in Myrtle Beach, we will provide you with insight into additional potential losses you have and what rights you have to recover them.
Suing Multiple Parties
It is also possible that many claims can be brought against multiple parties. You may have suffered injuries at an apartment complex or in a retail store. If so, the legal entities that own or lease the property may be liable to you for your injuries.
A Myrtle Beach dog bite lawyer will perform research and determine if the owner or occupier of the land has a duty to provide a warning or to make an area safe from harm. Having an experienced dog bite lawyer in Myrtle Beach on your side can help you determine which parties may be liable for your injuries. Let us offer the insight you need during this difficult time.
If you believe more than one person is responsible for the injuries you have, we strongly encourage you to reach out to a team that knows how to help you. Put your trust in our professionals so you get the best possible outcome. Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm now to speak to our dog bite attorney in Myrtle Beach and review our case results to see how we have helped people just like you.
The Steps to Take After Suffering a Dog Bite Injury in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Suffering a dog bite injury can be traumatizing. Many individuals suffer dog bites when they are petting a dog, approaching a dog that is unfamiliar to them, or going near a dog’s toys or food can also cause a dog to react violently. The following are the steps an injured victim should take after a dog bite:
- First, document the attack by filing an official report with the local animal control organization in your area.
- Second, contact a local law enforcement agency to report the incident.
- Third, reach out to the dog’s owner to obtain their name, address, and telephone number. If the dog is alone, then you should photograph the dog and seek out the contact information of all witnesses who observed the incident.
- Fourth, seek immediate medical treatment if you are suffering from severe bodily injuries. If you have minor injuries, then you should schedule an appointment to see your primary care physician.
You may not believe you suffered serious bodily injuries during the attack, but it is possible that noticeable symptoms may not appear until weeks or months after the date of the injury. Therefore, it is always best to go to the hospital or make an appointment with a general practitioner after a dog bite injury. Also, photographing your injuries and keeping an account of the progression of your injuries can strengthen your dog bite case.
Why Trust Our Myrtle Beach Dog Bite Attorney with Your Case?
We have over a decade of experience representing clients in dog bite injury cases. We understand how difficult it can be to deal with the trauma and pain associated with being the victim of a dog bite, so you can rest assured that the Shelly Leeke Law Firm will protect your interests and enforce your legal rights. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your dog bite injury case.
- Outstanding support: Our attorneys have worked hard to develop a strong history of providing exceptional service to our clients, and we are passionate about meeting every clients’ needs.
- Proven results: Throughout our history, our dog bite attorneys in Myrtle Beach have helped people recover millions of dollars from losses they had due to another person’s negligence.
- A strong reputation: We have worked hard to become a noted personal injury attorney within the community, and that means we know how to navigate the courts in a meaningful way to help our clients get the best possible outcome.
You can depend on our Myrtle Beach dog bite attorney to provide you with transparent, accurate information about your rights in this case. We will always provide you with insight into the challenges you face as well. If you were hurt by a dog bite, you deserve help, and we are here to offer it, so read our frequently asked questions to learn more.
Contact the Shelly Leeke Law Firm Today
If you need to speak to a dog bite attorney in Myrtle Beach, reach out to the Shelly Leeke Law Firm. The sooner you retain a dog bites injury lawyer, the sooner medical records, police reports, and other documents can be used to substantiate your legal claims. Set up a free consultation with a Myrtle Beach dog bite lawyer now to discuss your case.
