Charleston Dog Bite Lawyer

Your first priority should be getting the necessary medical attention you need to ensure you don’t get any infections or contract any diseases. Make sure you take photos of the injury, the dog, any other evidence, and identify the owner. Your attorney will collect any additional information that can help your case and win you more compensation in settlement negotiation.

No, South Carolina does not have a one-bite rule. The state’s law favors the party who suffered the dog attack, regardless of whether or not the dog is known to be aggressive.

Unlike lawyers in many other fields, reputable personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means that you don’t pay us unless we get you compensation. It is a no-risk system that helps clients feel assured that their lawyer is doing everything we can to secure a big win. It also means that anyone can afford legal representation.

If you do receive compensation, you will pay your dog bite attorney a predetermined percentage of what you receive. On average, when a dog bite victim hires an attorney, the amount you take home after paying your attorney will still be higher than what victims with no representation receive.

You may need a dog bite attorney if you have suffered a dog bite injury, hiring an attorney is always going to be a good idea. A dog bite lawyer will take over all aspects of your case. We will handle negotiations with the insurance company and make sure you are being treated fairly. In addition, we will file your lawsuit with the court and prepare to fight for you at trial.

A Charleston, SC dog bite injury attorney knows all the ins and outs of a dog bite lawsuit. We can help you properly value your claim and get fair compensation for your injury. Trying to go it alone will likely result in receiving an undervalued settlement or possibly missing out on compensation altogether.

Generally, a dog owner is liable for any damages if their dog bites someone. There are certain instances in which a dog owner may not realize that their dog poses a threat. A dog with a generally pleasant disposition can lash out unexpectedly if they are sick or injured. However, even in these situations, the dog owner could still be held liable.

There are two main defenses that a dog owner could possibly use with success to avoid liability. If the person who was bit was trespassing at the time, the dog owner would typically not be liable for any injuries they suffered. Additionally, if the injured party was provoking the dog through abuse, teasing, or harassment, the owner could be released from liability for an attack.

In certain circumstances, there are additional parties who could be held liable for a loose dog attack. A landlord who allows a tenant to keep a dog but fails to provide adequate fencing to keep the dog contained could face liability charges.

Additionally, a dog walker or other party who assumes responsibility for the dog could be held liable if the dog is under their care at the time of the attack.

According to South Carolina Title 15 – Civil Remedies and Procedures, the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite lawsuit is three years. If a dog bite victim fails to file a lawsuit within that period, any later attempt to do so will likely be thrown out. While three years may seem like plenty of time to file, if you delay, you could find your window narrowing quickly. 

Filing as soon as possible after an attack will also ensure that you are in the best position to present a strong case. Witness memory grows murkier over time, and evidence can be lost or corrupted.

If a jury feels that the actions of the dog owner were particularly egregious and that they behaved in a manner that was willfully negligent, they may award a dog attack victim punitive damages as well. However, in order to receive punitive damages a plaintiff must request them in their initial complaint.

Punitive damages are not meant to compensate for any particular damage to the victim. Instead, they are intended as a punishment for the dog owner to discourage further wantonly negligent behavior.

The plaintiff must be able to prove that the actions of the dog owner which led to the attack were wilful or reckless. Examples would be encouraging the attack or getting the dog into a frenzy and letting it loose.