Dog bites are traumatic, life-changing experiences. They can make it difficult to move on, especially if you suffer from emotional distress, scars, and even permanent loss due to their attacks. With Orangeburg dog bites, it is critical to be aggressive in the pursuit of compensation for any losses you have. At Marc Brown Law Firm, we take these types of claims very seriously. Through our offices in Columbia and Sumter, we represent those injured by a dog bite all across the state of South Carolina, including Orangeburg. Our personal injury lawyer in Orangeberg knows what you are facing, and we want to help you. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Types of Injuries Occur In Orangeburg Dog Bite Cases?
Dogs have very sharp, jagged teeth intended for tearing meat. Dog bite injuries are measured by a scale based on the depth of the bite, whether one or more bites occur, and the severity of the injury, including torn or consumed flesh, traumatic amputations, or death. Common injuries in South Carolina dog bite claims include the following:
- Abrasions and contusions
- Lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Soft-tissue injuries to skin, muscles, and nerves
- Degloving (flesh peeled away from hands or feet)
- Facial and scalp lacerations
- Injuries to the throat or neck
- Fractures
- Traumatic amputation of digits or limbs
Unfortunately, infections, disfigurement, and PTSD frequently result from dog bites. If a dog attack causes fatal injury, a wrongful death attorney from Marc Brown Law is ready to help the decedent’s legal representative recover compensation for the family’s financial losses and emotional anguish under the state’s wrongful death laws.
Victims of Dog Bites in Orangeburg Have Rights
Under the state’s laws, a person who owns a dog is responsible for that dog’s actions, even if they are on a leash. As long as there are no indications that the dog has been provoked into attacking or biting, the owner may be responsible for any losses you are suffering.
This is called strict liability for dog bites. That means that there is no need to prove negligence in this matter, but instead, the owner is liable no matter what occurs unless you take actions to provoke the animal in some way.
To prove that the dog’s owners are liable for the accident, there are three components that the victim must show:
- The victim was where they were at the time of the accident, lawfully on private land or in a public area
- The victim did not provoke the dog in any way
- The victim suffered injuries that led to medical expenses or other losses you can prove occurred
If you feel you should qualify for compensation as a result, our dog bites attorney can offer insight and create a strategy for maximizing your compensation claim.
What Causes Dog Bites In Orangeburg?
Dogs are our loyal companions and are often regarded as furry family members; however, a vicious attack by a snarling dog with sharp teeth and powerful jaws is a terrifying reminder that dogs are animals, with motives and instincts we cannot always understand or predict. Dog training experts suggest that common motives for dog attacks include the following:
- The dog perceives the victim as a threat to their owner, food, territory, bedding, or favorite toy
- The dog has puppies nearby
- It is a sick or wounded dog
- The dog was startled awake or surprised from behind
- The dog is a guard dog with inadequate training
- The dog feels trapped or threatened
Sometimes, dogs attack for no clear reason, even if they’re familiar with the attack victim and have shown no previous signs of aggression. If the dog belongs to someone else, its owner has a legal obligation to cover the injury victim’s damages. Compensation in South Carolina dog bite claims is typically paid through the pet owner’s property liability insurance.
Compensation for Dog Bites Is Comprehensive
As dog bite attorneys, our legal team pursues full compensation for any losses you incur as a result of a dog bite in Orangeburg. This may include:
- Medical bills from the date of the incident
- Any costs for follow-up care, surgeries, or cosmetic procedures to reduce scarring
- Infection and complication treatment
- Lost time at work
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
There are times when dog bites lead to permanent nerve damage, or, in situations where the victim falls, it may cause traumatic brain injuries. Children, who are very prone to dog bites because of their size and trusting disposition, may even suffer permanent damage or death. Many people need psychological and psychiatric counseling after these events as well. Do not discredit the impact of your personal mental health and emotional turmoil after these events.
Who Can Be Sued for a Dog Bite In Orangeburg?
Under South Carolina’s strict liability laws, a dog’s owner takes responsibility for all damages the dog may cause from the moment they take ownership. The state’s modified comparative negligence system allows injury victims to seek compensation from all parties that contribute to the cause or severity of an injury. Depending on the individual circumstances of a case, the most common defendants in dog bite cases in Orangeburg include one or more of the following:
- The pet owner
- Dog walkers, keepers, trainers, and handlers
- Property owners (for instance, the owner of a rental property who knew, or should reasonably have known, their tenants had a dangerous dog)
- The parents of a minor who owns a dog
- Commercial property owners, if a guard dog causes harm to an individual who was not trespassing or committing a crime
An experienced dog bite attorney pursues all available avenues for compensation to maximize a dog bite victim’s financial recovery while they focus on their physical and emotional recovery.
Determining Liability for a Dog Bite In Orangeburg
Insurance companies, such as property liability insurers in dog bite claims, often deny liability or attempt to shift liability to the injury victim in order to protect company profits. It may take an experienced investigation into the circumstances of the attack to prove liability for a dog bite in Orangeburg. Proving liability may require demonstrating with the available evidence that you did not provoke the attack, were legally on the property, and suffered significant economic and non-economic damages from the injury.
Set Up a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Orangeburg Dog Bite with Our Legal Team
As a trusted and experienced dog bite attorney, we are here to guide you on what to do next for your Orangeburg dog bite claim. Do not speak to the insurance company until after you contact us. The Marc Brown Law Firm recognizes what is on the line, and we want to ensure you receive fair compensation after such a difficult situation. Set up a free consultation to discuss your case with our team by calling our office.