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After getting bit by a dog and sustaining serious injuries, obtaining compensation from the liable party is essential for moving forward with your life. An experienced dog bite lawyer in Rock Hill can assist you in determining who is to blame for your injuries and help you file a claim to recover the financial compensation you need and deserve.
At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, we have successfully recovered millions of dollars for our personal injury clients. Our committed team will work tirelessly to help you build a compelling case against the responsible party. Contact The Thumbs Up Guys today to schedule your free, no-obligation case consultation with one of our Rock Hill personal injury lawyers.
Financial Compensation Available After a Dog Bite Incident in Rock Hill
If you were seriously injured as a result of a dog bite, there are several types of damages you may be eligible to pursue. It’s important to understand that each dog bite case is unique, meaning the compensation available can vary significantly from one case to another.
The compensatory damages you can seek are generally divided into economic and non-economic categories.
Economic Damages You Can Recover
Economic damages are intended to compensate dog bite victims for financial losses directly related to their attack. Some of the economic damages most commonly awarded following a dog bite include:
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy costs
- Ambulance fees
- Prescription medication expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lowered earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages You Can Pursue
Additional losses stemming from your dog bite incident fall under the category of non-economic damages. Some of the non-economic damages most commonly awarded following a dog bite include:
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
If a loved one died after being attacked by a dog, a Rock Hill wrongful death lawyer can help you recover additional damages, including funeral and burial expenses.
In extreme cases, the court may also award punitive damages. These damages are granted only if the responsible party encouraged their dog to attack or showed gross negligence. Unlike compensatory damages, which aim to reimburse victims for their losses, punitive damages serve to punish the responsible party.
How a Dog Bite Lawyer Can Help You Recover Fair Compensation
Hiring a dog bite lawyer in Rock Hill provides numerous benefits. Not only does it improve your odds of receiving fair compensation for your injuries, but it also allows you to concentrate on your recovery while your attorney manages the legal hurdles of your case.
When you enlist the help of a dog bite attorney, they will typically take a variety of steps to help get you the money you need, including:
- Conducting a comprehensive investigation of the attack to establish liability and gather essential evidence
- Securing a copy of the incident report related to the dog bite
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and consulting with relevant experts
- Assessing your damages and determining how much your claim is worth
- Submitting an insurance claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party
- Building a strong case to support your compensation claim
- Handling negotiations with the liable party’s insurers or legal representatives
- Representing you at trial if a settlement cannot be achieved
Your lawyer will also safeguard you against insurance companies that will use a variety of tricks to minimize or deny your claim.
Proving Fault Following a Dog Bite Incident
Once you hire an attorney, one of their primary responsibilities will be to determine who is liable for your injuries. You cannot seek damages until you identify the party from whom you are pursuing compensation. Proving fault can be complicated, as multiple parties may bear different degrees of responsibility.
The good news is that an experienced dog bite attorney in Rock Hill will know exactly what to look for while investigating your case. Your lawyer will collect evidence to help accurately identify who is at fault for your injuries.
Comparative Negligence Laws in South Carolina
When evaluating your right to pursue compensation after suffering injuries caused by a dog bite, it’s essential to understand South Carolina’s comparative negligence laws. These laws acknowledge that multiple parties may share liability in a dog bite case. If you are found to be partially at fault, the amount you can recover will be adjusted accordingly.
The amount you can claim will be directly tied to your level of responsibility. For example, if you are deemed 20% responsible for the incident, you will only be able to recover 80% of the total value of your claim. Similarly, if your liability is assessed at 40%, you can recover up to 60% of the value of your losses.
However, if your degree of fault exceeds 50%, you will be unable to pursue compensation for the losses you sustained.
Dog Bite Lawyers Get Paid for Results
One of the main concerns that prevents accident victims from seeking help from a legal professional is the fear of high attorney fees. However, financial worries should never stop you from obtaining legal representation after a dog bite incident.
At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, we operate under a results-driven payment model. Our dog bite lawyers serving Rock Hill work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only collect a fee if we successfully secure compensation on your behalf.
With this contingency fee structure, you won’t have to pay any upfront fees or hourly rates. Instead, your lawyer will take a predetermined percentage of the amount you recover as their payment. This setup enables us to offer legal assistance to all accident victims, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Reach Out to an Experienced Dog Bite Attorney in Rock Hill Today
When choosing a dog bite lawyer in Rock Hill, it’s important to select someone with a proven track record in handling cases similar to yours. At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, we have been committed to helping dog bite victims secure fair compensation for their injuries for many years.
Contact The Thumbs Up Guys today by phone or by completing our online contact form to set up a free case review. Additionally, take a moment to read our client testimonials to better understand the quality of service you can expect from our team.
