Being attacked by a dog is a traumatic experience. Whether you were bitten on the leg, you were viciously attacked and have scars on multiple parts of your body, or the dog knocked you down and you suffered fall-related injuries, you are likely to remember the attack for the rest of your life, and you may experience other long-term traumatic effects as well.
For children, the effects of dog attacks can be even more severe. Not only are children more prone to suffering serious injuries from dog bites, but they can also experience severe emotional trauma. For adults and children alike, recovery can be a long-term process, and the financial costs involved can be substantial. Learn more below, and contact us today to request a free consultation with a knowledgeable attorney.
Attorney Marc Brown provides experienced legal representation for dog bite victims in South Carolina as well as for families whose children have been attacked by vicious dogs. He is a skilled and unwavering advocate for his clients who brings big law firm experience to serving clients in central South Carolina. As a client of the Marc Brown Law Firm, you can expect to receive personalized and diligent representation, and you can feel confident knowing that Marc is fighting to help you recover maximum compensation when you file a personal injury lawsuit in Columbia.
South Carolina’s Dog Bite Law Is Favorable to Victims of Attacks
South Carolina’s dog bite law provides important protections for adults and families of children who have suffered severe injuries in dog attacks. The law embodies the concept of “strict liability,” which makes dog owners liable for injuries caused by their dogs without proof of negligence. For example, in order to hold a dog owner liable in South Carolina, it is not necessary to show that the owner failed to properly restrain his or her dog. In addition, South Carolina does not follow the “one bite rule” that protects dog owners against liability the first time their dog engages in an attack.
In fact, dog bite victims in South Carolina just need to prove three elements in order to establish a claim for financial compensation. These elements are:
- The victim was in a public place or lawfully on private land at the time of the attack;
- The victim suffered injuries as a result of the attack (either dog bite injuries or injuries sustained in a fall); and,
- The victim did not provoke the attack.
If it is possible to prove each of these three elements, then the victim (or the victim’s family) is entitled to recover full compensation for all losses incurred as a result of injuries sustained in the attack. This includes (but is not limited to) injuries such as:
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Bone fractures and dislocations
- Concussions and other brain injuries
- Eye, ear, and facial injuries
- Loss of digits and limbs
- Nerve damage
- Post-traumatic stress and emotional trauma
- Puncture wounds
- Rabies and other infections
- Soft tissue damage
Recovering Financial Compensation After a Dog Attack in South Carolina
Despite suffering severe physical and emotional trauma, many dog attack victims still have reservations about seeking financial compensation for their injuries. Typically, this is because they assume that filing a claim means seeking financial compensation directly from the dog’s owner, who may be a neighbor or friend. However, similar to other types of accident claims, dog attack cases are usually resolved through insurance. Homeowner’s insurance policies cover liability for dog attacks, and many dog owners purchase additional coverage specifically to ensure that compensation will be available in the event that their dog attacks unexpectedly.
Homeowner’s insurance covers all financial and non-financial losses resulting from dog attacks. This includes current and future:
- Diagnostic, treatment, surgical, rehabilitative, and other medical costs
- Medical supplies, prescription pain, and antiviral medications, and other out-of-pocket expenses
- Psychological and psychiatric counseling costs
- Loss of income and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life and other forms of non-economic harm
Have you or your child been attacked by a dog in South Carolina? If so, we urge you to seek medical treatment right away, and we invite you to contact us for a free consultation about your legal rights. The long-term effects of dog attacks can be substantial, and seeking professional help is the first step toward getting back to your normal life in the event of a catastrophic injury lawyer in Columbia.
Contact Our Columbia Dog Bite Attorney
A dog bite can be traumatic and life-altering. To speak with Columbia dog bite lawyer, Marc Brown about your case, please call or contact us online. We will schedule your free initial consultation as soon as possible.