Columbia Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog bites you, and you suffer an injury. You are worried about what it will cost to treat your injury and what will happen to the dog that attacked you if you report the incident to the police. A Columbia dog bite lawyer will walk you through the legal process, making sure you are able to hold the pet’s owner — and not the animal itself — accountable for your injury. 

The Thumbs Up Guys at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward fight tirelessly to protect the rights of those injured in our community. To date, we have helped our clients obtain millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. Discuss your dog bite case with our personal injury lawyers in Columbia. 

What to Do if a Dog Bites You

You may feel irritated and frustrated after a dog bites you. At the same time, you may get injured, bleed, and experience severe pain. Here are things you should do to take care of yourself following the incident:

• Call 911. Medical professionals will treat your injury and, if necessary, transport you to the hospital, and police officers will gather information from you and others at the scene.
• Take pictures and videos. These give you visual evidence you can use to prove just how badly you were injured. 
• Notify the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Your healthcare provider is required to report your dog bite to DHEC, or you should do so on your own if you choose not to seek medical treatment. 
• Track your expenses. You could ask the pet’s owner to cover your hospital bills and other injury-related losses. 

In addition to these things, let the Thumbs Up Guys review your case and explain your legal options to you after your dog attack. If you were hurt from a dog bite, you may be able to get damages from the animal’s owner. Reach out to our Columbia dog bite attorneys to learn more.

Damages You Can Recover in a Columbia Dog Bite Lawsuit

You can request economic and non-economic damages. A dog bite lawyer in Columbia will help you calculate your damages. Here are damages you may be able to collect in your dog bite lawsuit. 

Medical Bills

You suffer broken bones, lacerations, and other injuries in your dog attack. To get better, your doctor recommends medications, surgery, and other treatments. A dog bite attorney in Columbia will evaluate your medical bills, helping you get compensation to cover the costs of treating your injuries.

Lost Income

You have to spend days or weeks in the hospital due to your dog bite injury. During this time, you miss work, which prevents you from earning the money you need to stay afloat financially. Your lawyer will account for your income, including your current and future lost wages, as they help you determine what is reasonable compensation to request from a pet owner. 

Pain and Suffering

Your injury is serious, and it causes an incredible amount of pain and suffering. Fortunately, your lawyer understands this, and they consider your pain and suffering carefully as they examine your losses. Your attorney will build an argument to show you deserve compensation for pain and suffering, putting you in a great position to achieve your desired case results. 

Loss of Enjoyment

If a dog bite causes a permanent disability, this health issue can prevent you from enjoying the rest of your life to the fullest extent. Alternatively, an animal bite can result in scarring that impacts your physical appearance and relationships with family members and friends. You can ask for damages relating to loss of enjoyment, and your lawyer can help you secure them. 

A personal injury lawyer in Columbia will answer your questions about damages and other legal topics. They will also explain how long a personal injury case takes in South Carolina. If you decide you want to move forward with an injury lawsuit, your lawyer will submit your claim in accordance with South Carolina’s statute of limitations. 

How Much Time You Have to File a Lawsuit

The statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is three years, per South Carolina Code of Laws Section 15-3-530(5). In a dog bite injury case, you have up to three years to seek damages from the pet’s owner. If this window closes, you will be solely responsible for your injury-related losses. 

While some states have a “one-bite rule” for dog bite injuries, South Carolina does not. If your attack marks the first time a dog has bitten someone, you can request damages from the pet’s owner. Your lawyer will file your lawsuit within the statute of limitations in which you are allowed to do so and gather evidence to support your case. 

It is unlikely that the dog that attacked you will be euthanized. A dog may be euthanized if it previously attacked more than two people or has rabies. Your lawyer will focus on holding the dog’s owner at fault, which may prompt this individual to take steps to prevent their pet from attacking people in the future. 

Get Help From Columbia Dog Bite Lawyers Who Consistently Earn a Thumbs Up

You face a dilemma after a dog attacks and injures you. On one hand, you are dealing with costly medical bills, and these add up quickly. Yet, you are concerned about what will happen to the dog that attacked you if you report the incident to the authorities. 

If you want legal assistance, the Thumbs Up Guys at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward are here for you. We will address your legal concerns, ensuring you receive the help you need to pursue maximum compensation from the owner of the dog that attacked you. Contact us today to schedule a case consultation with our lawyers.