South Carolina Dog Bite Attorneys

Dogs are generally seen as loving, loyal companions. They live in our homes, are playmates for our children, and sometimes even sleep in our beds. However, even the friendliest dog may bite or attack without warning. Apart from causing injury and pain, dog bites can become infected, thus placing the bite victim at serious risk for illness or even death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, approximately 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Sadly, more than 880,000 of these dog bite victims need medical attention, with half of them being children.

All dog owners must be responsible for their pets, and also for any harm caused by their pets. If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, a dog bite attorney from Kassel McVey can help you obtain compensation for your medical expenses and other damages stemming from the accident.

South Carolina Dog Bite Law

Under South Carolina’s strict liability dog bite statute, dog owners may be held liable for injuries or losses caused by their dogs if the following circumstances are met:

• The victim’s injuries result from the owner’s dog’s bite or attack on the victim
• The injured victim was in a public place or lawfully in a private place at the time of the bite or attack
• The injured victim did not provoke the dog

Dog owners also have a legal duty to keep their dogs from running free, and also have a duty to keep an unruly or vicious dog restrained while on their own property.

Many other states have what is known as a “one bite rule,” which means that the dog’s owner will be held liable for the injuries caused by the dog if the owner knew or should have known that the dog was potentially dangerous or was inclined to attack.

South Carolina does not have such a provision. A dog bite victim in this state may sue for damages regardless of whether the dog was known to be aggressive, and may hold a dog owner liable for any unprovoked dog attacks. Note that the law does not apply if the individual bitten was provoked or harassed the dog, or if the dog is a canine trained by law enforcement.

Common Dog Bite Injuries

When attacking humans, dogs use their teeth to rip and tear apart their victims’ flesh, and they use their jaws to crush their victims’ bones. Adults often sustain dog bite wounds on their lower arms and legs, while children are particularly at risk for face and head injuries due to their shorter physique.

The injuries resulting from a dog bite or attack may be serious or even fatal. Some of the most common injuries stemming from dog bites include:

• Puncture wounds
• Abrasions and lacerations
• Avulsions
• Hematomas and contusions
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Amputations
• Head and skull injuries
• Scarring
• Permanent nerve damage
• Secondary infections such as rabies, tetanus, and cellulitis
• Psychological damage such as post-traumatic stress disorder

Depending on the severity of the injury, dog bite victims may need hospitalization, surgery, physical rehabilitation therapy, and even counseling.

Damages in a SC Dog Bite Claim

Dog bite injuries can have a distressing physical, emotional, and financial toll on the victim and the victim’s entire family. A dog bite victim may recover economic and non-economic damages such as:

• Hospital bills
• Past and future medical expenses
• Property damage such as torn clothing
• Lost wages during period of recovery
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

If the dog attack was a fatal one, surviving family members of the victim may pursue a wrongful death claim with the help of an experienced attorney.

Statute of Limitations for Dog Bites in South Carolina

In South Carolina, a person injured by a dog bite has three years from the date of the injury to file a claim in court. If the dog bite claim is filed after the three-year deadline has passed, then the court is likely to disregard the case.

Contact Kassel McVey Today

If a dog has bitten or attacked you or your loved ones, contact Kassel McVey as soon as possible. We will thoroughly investigate your case to calculate the damage and determine the rightful compensation you are eligible to receive for your injuries and other losses.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with an experienced SC dog bite lawyer, call Kassel McVey at today at (803) 256-4242.