Rising serious injury medical bills are the main reason the average dog bite settlement has more than doubled since 2013. Dog bite victims in South Carolina have multiple legal options, mostly related to dog owner or caretaker negligence. For example, if an owner or caretaker knows that an animal is potentially dangerous, that person is liable for damages. The “one-bite rule” might be the most common legal theory in dog bite cases. Even pet owner jurors often hold tortfeasors (negligent actors) liable for damages in these situations.
Because the average settlement has shot up, insurance company lawyers know their backs are against the wall in these cases. So, a Columbia dog bite lawyer is often able to negotiate a favorable out-of-court settlement in these situations. Such resolutions end cases sooner and give the litigants more control over the outcome. This outcome usually includes compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.
Physical Injuries
Animal attacks usually cause three layers of physical injuries: the knockdown, the bite, and a medical infection.
Typically, a pit bull or other large animal leaps at a small child or other vulnerable victim. The extreme force of the knockdown usually causes severe broken bones as well as head injuries.
Generally, doctors must use metal plates, pins, and other components to set these broken bones. These invasive procedures mean more down time and longer, as well as more difficult and expensive, physical therapy. Broken bones regenerate, but dead brain cells don’t regenerate. So, a brain injury is a permanent injury. At most, doctors can manage the symptoms.
Incidentally, even if the victim is young or has another inherent vulnerability, like a pre-existing physical condition, an attorney can obtain maximum compensation. Defendants cannot use victims’ vulnerabilities as an excuse to reduce or deny compensation.
When dogs bite, their teeth usually cause deep puncture wounds as well as severe tearing lacerations. The puncture wounds often pierce internal organs and cause massive internal bleeding. The tearing lacerations require specialized treatment at regional trauma centers.
Finally in this area, dog bites have high infection rates. That’s especially true if no one found the victim for several minutes. Usually, a Columbia personal injury attorney must file a separate legal claim to obtain compensation for infection-related injuries. These infections include sepsis bacteria, or flesh-eating bacteria, infections.
Emotional Injuries
Dog bite victims, especially younger victims, often sustain Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Hypervigilance, depression, anger, and other PTSD symptoms make it almost impossible for these victims to function at home, school, or anywhere else.
We put PTSD in a separate category in this blog, but that’s not medically correct. PTSD is a physical brain injury. Extreme trauma alters brain chemistry and causes the aforementioned symptoms. Since PTSD has a chemical cause, it has a chemical solution. Therapy only goes so far. Almost all PTSD victims also need medication.
Once again, since PTSD and other brain injuries are permanent, medical only manages the symptoms. However, at this point, that’s the best possible result.
Count on a Dedicated Richland County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Columbia, contact the Marc Brown Law Firm. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start fighting for you.