It can be quite traumatic to be attacked by a dog. The majority of the time, an attack happens with little to no warning and serious injuries may be the result of this. While most dogs are friendly, some can cause harm and victims could qualify for compensation.
A dog bite injury’s healing process can take a while depending on your age, health status and the severity of the injury. Even more troubling is the post-accident expenses, the path to financial recovery, can be equally challenging. To assist you in every phase of recovery, our North Charleston personal injury lawyers are available to assist.
Which Common Dog Bite Injuries Are You Suffering From?
Depending on how they manifest, dog bite injuries can range from moderate to severe. Our South Carolina dog bite attorneys see and represent the following types of dog bite injuries on a regular basis:
- Injuries to the face: A dog biting your face could cause severe, long-lasting harm. Your eyes may be hurt, and you might need reconstructive surgery to fix them.
- Puncture wounds: The sharpness of dog teeth is well known. Almost all dog bites can result in puncture wounds. Although these wounds may just be superficial, they might nonetheless result in more significant issues.
- Permanent disfigurement/scarring: You can have lasting scarring from a dog bite, depending on how deep the wounds are.
- Nerve trauma: Serious bites may result in permanent nerve injury, which can reduce sensation in the bitten location. In extreme circumstances, nerve damage may even make it difficult for you to move some body parts.
- Emotional distress: You may experience anxiety, PTSD, or other mood changes as a result of the trauma of a dog bite incident. This may have a range of effects on your life, particularly if you frequently interact with dogs of the same breed that bit you.
What Amount of Money Is a Dog Bite Settlement Worth in South Carolina?
A dog attack can cost you a lot of money due to the complications that come with healing and the mental trauma experienced in the aftermath of an animal attack. Depending on your circumstances, your North Charleston dog bite attorney may seek the following damages for your accident:
- Health care costs like testing and hospitalization
- Potential medical expenses such as medical devices aor ongoing rehab treatment
- Lost income
- Potential earnings lost
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
What to Do After an Animal Attacks You
Getting the proper medical care should be your top concern in order to avoid contracting any diseases or infections. Take pictures of the damage, the dog, any further proof, and obtain the owner’s contact information. Any new information that can strengthen your case and help you receive more money in a settlement discussion will be gathered by your lawyer.
Can’t Afford Legal Representation?
Reputable dog bite lawyers in North Charleston work on a contingency fee basis.. In other words, you don’t pay us unless we receive payment for you. It is a no-risk strategy that gives customers peace of mind knowing that their attorney is doing every effort to obtain a significant victory.
If you do get compensated, you’ll have to provide your dog bite lawyer a set percentage of your settlement. If you are worried about budget and are wondering if you need a lawyer, it is ultimately your choice but know that retaining a lawyer typically results in larger settlements than defending yourself.
Who Is Assigned Fault After a Dog Attack?
If a dog bites someone, the owner is responsible for any resulting injuries. There are few situations where a dog owner might be unaware that their pet is dangerous. Even a dog with a usually calm nature may suddenly become aggressive if they are ill or hurt. But even in these circumstances, the dog owner might still be responsible.
A dog owner may successfully invoke one of two basic defenses to deny fault:
Trespassing
Normally, the dog owner would not be responsible for the victim’s injuries if they occurred when they were trespassing when they were bitten.
Provoked Attack
The owner may not be held accountable for an incident if the injured party provoked the dog by abusing, harassing, or bullying the dog.
In other instances, additional people may also be responsible for a loose dog attack. If a landlord permits a tenant to keep a dog but does not provide sufficient fencing to keep the dog contained, the landlord may be held liable.
Additionally, if the dog is in their care at the time of the assault, a dog walker or other person who bears responsibility for the dog may be held accountable.
In Need of a Dog Bite Lawyer Near You?
Filing a personal injury claim as soon as you can with a dog bite lawyer in North Charleston, SC will put you in the best possible position to make a compelling argument. Contact the office of MDSW Legal so that we can immediately preserve evidence and obtain witness statements.
A dog bite case must be filed within three years, in accordance with South Carolina Title 15 – Civil Remedies and Procedures. Any subsequent attempt by a dog bite victim to bring a case will probably be dismissed if they fail to do so within that time frame. Schedule a free, no obligation case evaluation today!