Dog bites can have serious consequences. You will need to deal with the medical bills and additional expenses linked to a quick and successful recovery. South Carolina is one of the states that have specialized dog bite statutes that favor a victim. Through the selection of an experienced legal team like Fulton & Barr, you can recover the damages stemming from the medical expenses and the additional losses resulting from the dog bite.

 

Working with Greenville Dog Bite Lawyers: Know Your Rights

A Greenville dog bite lawyer will work hard to assist a dog bite victim. Luckily, South Carolina has the legal provisions that enable demanding financial compensation from the pet owner.

 

According to South Carolina statute, Section 47-3-110, the owner of the dog is liable for injuries sustained as the result of a dog bite. This liability extends to public places and private places that individuals have lawful access to. A person that is bitten or attacked by a dog on the property of the owner also has the right to pursue legal action.

 

The only situation that stands as an exception to the statute is a dog attack that is provoked by the victim. Whenever an owner can prove that the dog was provoked, they will not be liable for any injuries sustained during the attack.

 

Under US laws, domestic animals are not presumed to be dangerous. Thus, a person that gets bitten will have to prove that the particular animal was dangerous for damage recovery to occur. This is the so-called “one bite rule.” There has to be a component of negligence on behalf of the owner. Negligence stems from knowing the vicious nature of an animal and keeping it without restraining the dog and minimizing the risk of injuries to other people.

 

Luckily, South Carolina abandoned the one-bite rule in 1985 and imposed stricter regulations. Regardless of the animal’s past behavior, a dog owner will be held accountable whenever their pet attacks someone. The same applies to individuals, other than the owner, who are responsible for handling the dog. Such individuals could include a walker or a dog trainer.

 

Regardless of the legal framework that is favorable towards the victim, getting assistance will be advisable. Greenville dog bite lawyers are aware of the South Carolina statutes and the complications stemming from proving the specifics of the situation. They will know what it takes to address the case in the best way possible and to hold the owner of the dog accountable for the injuries that the victim has sustained.

 

Get in Touch with an Experienced Greenville Dog Bite Lawyer Today

Getting attacked by a dog is scary, confusing and painful. You will have to get medical assistance and deal with the aftermath of the attack. Once you have managed to recover sufficiently, however, it is very important to get in touch with an experienced South Carolina dog bite lawyer immediately.

 

There are several key steps to follow in order to ensure the successful resolution of an eventual trial:

• Identify the dog and its owner: This one is a no-brainer, but in the heat of the moment, it may be difficult to identify the owner of the dog that has attacked you. Witness information will be invaluable in such situations. People who are present during the attack will often have a good idea about the owner of the dog and how to get in touch with that person. Whenever the owner of the dog cannot be identified immediately, you will have to go through additional medical procedures like rabies shots.
• File a dog bite report: This step is imperative, regardless of the severity of the injury. If you have no idea how to complete the process, or which authority to file the report with, the time will be right to get in touch with seasoned legal representatives like the Fulton & Barr team in Greenville. We will guide you through the specifics and make the process much easier while you are coping with the injuries.
• Photograph the injuries and gather additional information: To help your attorney and to solidify the case against the dog owner, you need enough evidence. If you have called a lawyer already, you will get some guidance pertaining to the upcoming steps. The first and most obvious one is to photograph your injuries. Bruises, welts, bite marks, and torn clothing should all be photographed. Later on, you may need additional information for your claim like whether or not the dog has bitten anybody in the past and the history of the owner.
• Begin a journal: As lawyers, we recommend journaling to our clients because it helps paint a comprehensive picture. Dog bite claims can take a lot of time to complete. Writing about your thoughts, gathering additional evidence, and organizing the information you accumulate can be particularly beneficial when it comes to a faster resolution.

 

The same rules apply to individuals who have been attacked by a dog without getting bitten or wounded. A dog attack is legally classified as a menacing act. When multiple menacing acts are reported about the same animal, the chances are that the dog will be classified as dangerous. The owner will have to undertake the necessary precautions to prevent attacks in the future. Otherwise, the owner risks being sued for negligence.

 

The Most Important Factors to Consider

Dog owners have specific responsibilities when it comes to ensuring the safety of others. Still, a few legal specifics could make it difficult to hold such individuals liable and to demand financial compensation for medical expenses, disabilities, pain, and suffering.

 

Once they acquaint themselves with the specifics of the situation, your South Carolina dog bite lawyers will be much more capable of letting you know whether you have a solid case against the owner. A few very important factors will have to be taken into consideration.

 

The severity of the consequences is obviously one of the most important factors. A person that has sustained a scratch will not be capable of building the serious case that a person who has been bitten multiple times will be able to build. Dog bites can have life-altering consequences. They can lead to permanent scarring, nerve damage, infections and even limb amputations whenever wounds are not treated quickly and adequately.

 

Because of these serious consequences, the average dog bite claim across America was $37,214 in 2015. During the very same year, over 28,000 reconstructive surgeries occurred in the country because of dog bites. The average cost of inpatient stays related to dog bites was $18,200 – more than 40 percent higher cost than the expenses linked to other injury-related hospitalizations.

 

Several other factors can have an impact on the dog bite claim. Your Greenville dog bite lawyer will acquaint you with these specifics and inquire about them to build a solid case.

 

Has there been negligence on behalf of the owner? Negligence occurs when a potentially aggressive dog is not restrained to prevent injuries. If there is a previous record of aggression on behalf of the dog and the owner has not undertaken any measures to reduce the risk, the chances are that you will have a solid case against them. In such instances, a plaintiff could easily be awarded punitive damages after the lawyer manages to prove negligence.

 

What to Do in the Aftermath of a South Carolina Dog Bite or Attack

Do not underestimate the importance of your actions in the aftermath of a dog attack.

 

How fast did you seek medical treatment? Did you report the accident immediately? Did you follow through with the treatment orders and the medical procedures required by the healthcare practitioner? If you have been punctual and consistent with following through and recording everything, you will make the job of your lawyer easier.

 

Next, the lawyer will have to find out whether you had any guilt for the attack. Did you provoke the dog in any way? Were you trespassing? In the case of trespassing and other criminal activity, you will not be entitled to financial compensation from the owner. Whenever an attack occurs on private property, it will be of paramount importance to prove that you were there legally.

 

A few other smaller factors that could also impact your dog bite case include the following:

• Whether the dog owner has insurance: If the person is not insured, it can be quite complicated to get some compensation from them.
• Breed: Certain dog breeds are considered to be more aggressive than others, which will necessitate precautionary measures on behalf of the owner.
• Size of the dog: The same applies to larger dogs that may be difficult to control when they get excited or if they feel threatened.
• Training of the dog: A dog could have undergone professional training because of past behavioral problems. In such instances, attorneys will need to speak to the dog trainer. Dog trainers can be excellent witnesses in such cases because their opinion will be based on professional observations about the animal’s behavior and the causes of eventual aggression.
• Whether the dog has exhibited offensive or defensive aggression: Defensive aggression is usually provoked, and it is discontinued as soon as a perceived threat is eliminated. Offensive aggression, on the other hand, could result in much more serious consequences for the victim because it will be unprovoked.

 

Get the Compensation You Deserve for Your Greenville Dog Bite Injuries

Experienced Greenville dog bite lawyers can give you confidence and adequate assistance at a time when you are vulnerable. As already mentioned, dog bite claims can take a long period to resolve. This is why you need legal representation from attorneys who are seasoned in the field.

 

The Fulton & Barr lawyers can help you get coverage for hospital expenses and even for an eventual permanent disability caused by a dog bite. Compensation for pain and suffering can also be demanded when sufficient evidence is gathered and the plaintiff is represented in the best way possible.

 

Fulton & Barr was founded in 1993 and through the years, we have represented numerous clients in need of assistance for personal injury, workers’ compensation and social security disability cases. Our team does not discriminate between cases – whether you have a large claim or a small legal question, you will get assistance and a personalized approach that will address the specifics of the situation.

 

Our approach is honest, open and friendly. Every client is entitled to a free initial consultation. Even if you are not sure how to approach the case or whether you could sue a dog owner, you will get these answers without having to spend anything on legal assistance.

 

Experienced Greenville Dog Bite Lawyer You Can Trust

Our lawyers have over 40 years of South Carolina legal practice experience among them. They know what it takes to carry out negotiations and to approach a case so that the plaintiff is guaranteed the best possible outcome. Over the years, the team has worked with numerous satisfied clients who keep on coming back for legal advice and who also refer loved ones to Fulton & Barr. We have managed to maintain a stellar reputation through the years.

 

There is no need to suffer in silence and worry about the medical bills stemming from a canine attack. As a victim, you are entitled to assistance and to financial compensation. Getting a free consultation with the Fulton & Barr dog bite lawyer will give you a much better idea about your rights and how these are protected by South Carolina regulations.

 

Do not hesitate to contact us in the case of dog bite injuries or if a loved one has been attacked. We will be more than happy to answer your questions and suggest an effective course of action. Give us a call at (864) 235-3154 to schedule your first consultation.