Each year, approximately 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs, with about 800,000 bites requiring medical attention. In about 66 percent of cases, victims were on or near their property, and most victims knew the dog.
While public opinion often blames certain breeds – such as pit bulls and Rottweilers – a U.S. study from 2017-2023 revealed that the 238 fatalities from dog bites during that period involved at least 25 different breeds.
In rare instances, victims may be liable for dog bites and attacks, such as when conducting criminal activities on private property protected by a guard dog. However, in most cases, dog owners bear responsibility for their dogs, even if the victim could have avoided the incident by knowing how to approach a dog properly.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm stands out with its extensive experience and knowledge in helping victims of dog bites pursue compensation for their injuries and damages. We not only understand the physical pain and emotional trauma dog attacks cause but also provide compassionate, attentive support to each of our clients.
When you choose our team to represent you, we assure you of our favorable support at every step.
How Can Having a Goose Creek Dog Bite Accident Attorney Help Your Dog Bite Claim?
A dog bite lawyer can be immensely beneficial if you pursue a personal injury claim. These skilled attorneys are experienced in handling cases involving dog attacks and can provide worthwhile legal services in several ways.
Here are some benefits of approaching our Goose Creek dog bite lawyers:
- Determining Liability: Establishing liability in a dog bite case can be challenging. Our experienced dog bite lawyers can help determine who is legally responsible for the attack, whether it’s the dog owner, a property owner, a landlord, or another party.
- Maximizing Compensation: Dogbite lawyers aim to secure the maximum compensation possible for their clients. They can calculate the economic and non-economic damages you are entitled to, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any future medical treatment or therapy that may be required.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Dealing with insurance carriers can be difficult, as their primary goal is to minimize settlement amounts. Our experienced lawyers can handle communications with insurance adjusters and negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
- Trial Representation: Our dog bite lawyers are prepared to take your case to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations. We will represent your interests during the trial and present a compelling argument to secure the compensation you deserve.
Why Do You Need Our Goose Creek Dog Bite Accident Law Firm?
Dog attacks can range from minor inconveniences to severe, life-altering events, and in some cases, they have resulted in fatalities or significant injuries and disabilities. While dog attacks are prevalent everywhere, Goose Creek is no exception.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a dog attack, consulting with our experienced personal injury law firm is important. Our knowledgeable lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and the options available, assisting in building a strong case to secure the compensation you deserve.
After a dog attack, dealing with the dog owner’s insurance company can be challenging, as they may try to lowball you or deny your claim altogether. Our experienced attorneys know how to handle these negotiations effectively.
Dog bite cases can be complicated, often involving multiple parties, including the dog’s owner, the landlord, and the insurance company.
An attorney with experience in dog bite cases can navigate these complexities to achieve the best possible outcome for you. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer fair compensation, an experienced attorney will not hesitate to take the case to court.
Our attorneys have successfully represented clients in court so that they will stand up for your rights at every turn.
The last thing you want to worry about following a dog attack is managing the legal proceedings. You may concentrate on improving since our knowledgeable attorneys will handle all legal matters related to your case.
Speaking with a Goose Creek dog bite lawyer can guarantee that you have the knowledge and assistance required to handle your case skillfully and get to an equitable outcome.
What Do You Do Following a Dog Bite?
If you are the victim of a dog attack in Goose Creek, your first action is to get as far away as possible from the dog. Then, follow these steps:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: A puncture wound can easily become infected, and there may be a chance the dog is not up to date with its vaccinations. Remember to take a photo of the dog bite injuries before treatment.
- Obtain Owner’s Information: Get the owner’s name and contact details. Verify the dog’s vaccination history and gather as much information about the dog as possible, such as its breed and any history of biting.
- Collect Witness Information: If there were any witnesses to the attack, get their contact information. A witness’s testimony can help substantiate your insurance claim.
- Report the Incident: Contact animal control or the local police department to file an incident report. This will support your case and help prevent future attacks.
- Document Everything: Record what happened before, during, and after the attack, including any medical treatment and lost work time. Also, document any conversations with the owner or witnesses.
- Consult a Dog Bite Lawyer: An experienced animal bite lawyer can discuss your case, examine the evidence, and estimate the value of your dog bite claim. They will negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company to secure the compensation you deserve.
Why Do Dogs Bite?
Understanding why dogs may bite is important for fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and their furry friends and creating a safer environment for everyone. Dogs may bite for various reasons, and each situation is unique with its own contributing factors.
Here are some common reasons why dogs may bite:
- Fear or Threat: Dogs may bite if they feel threatened, scared, or cornered, often as a defensive reaction to protect themselves or their territory.
- Protecting Resources: Dogs naturally protect their food, toys, or possessions. They may bite to maintain control if they feel their resources are at risk.
- Pain or Illness: Dogs in pain or suffering from an illness may react aggressively if touched or approached in a way that exacerbates their discomfort.
- Maternal Instinct: Female dogs may bite to protect their puppies if they perceive any potential danger.
- Lack of Socialization: Poor socialization during a dog’s early developmental stages may result in fear or aggression towards unfamiliar people or animals.
- Territorial Behavior: Dogs can become territorial and protective of their home or property, leading to aggressive behavior towards perceived intruders.
- Predatory Drive: Some breeds have a stronger prey drive than others, which may trigger a dog to bite or chase after small animals or even people.
- Frustration: Dogs constantly frustrated or unable to cope with a situation may resort to aggression, including biting.
- Provocation: Dogs may bite in response to teasing, rough handling, or other forms of provocation.
- Lack of Training or Control: Dogs that have not received proper training or lack obedience may not understand appropriate behavior, leading to aggression or biting.
Genetics, past experiences, and overall health can influence a dog’s behavior. Responsible pet ownership, proper training, early socialization, and regular veterinary care can help reduce the likelihood of dogs biting.
Common Injuries From Dog Attacks
Animal attack injuries can range from minor scratches to severe injuries that may take months or even years to heal. Dog bites can cause significant harm to a person’s skin and soft tissues.
The powerful jaws of a dog can crush or tear muscles, tendons, and skin. Common injuries from dog attacks include:
- Infections in the puncture wound
- Nerve damage
- Tendon and muscle damage
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
If the animal is not up to date with its vaccinations, the victim may contract rabies, a viral infection that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. If not treated immediately, rabies can be fatal.
Additionally, a dog’s mouth contains bacteria. Any bite that punctures the skin, especially a deep puncture wound, can introduce bacteria that spread under the victim’s skin.
If left untreated, this bacteria can multiply and spread throughout the body, causing abscesses or tissue infections in the bite area.
Our experienced Goose Creek dog bite law firm can help you understand the severity of your injuries and the compensation needed to cover all current and future medical expenses. We work with medical experts to assess your injuries and determine the appropriate amount of compensation you are entitled to.
Damages in Goose Creek Dog Bite Cases
Dog bites and attacks can result in serious injuries that require immediate medical attention, especially when the victim is a small child, which is often the case. Victims may need hospitalization and ongoing treatments to prevent infection and other complications.
They might be unable to return to work for an extended period, and these hardships often pale in comparison to the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the attack.
Our dedicated Goose Creek dog bite attorneys fight for maximum compensation for our clients, which can include the following damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income/wages
- Lost earning ability/disability
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety, depression, and related mental health disorders
- Disfigurement
- Lost enjoyment of life
If a dog tragically kills a person, our attorneys can help surviving family members seek justice. We have successfully brought wrongful death lawsuits against responsible parties, allowing families to secure the monetary resources needed to level up the healing process.
Determining Responsibility for a Goose Creek Dog Bite
It might seem obvious that the dog owner is responsible for the attack and your injuries, but it is not always that clear. Besides the dog’s owner, other responsible parties could include:
- The property owner
- The landlord
- The person responsible for watching the dog
A dog bite can be traumatizing, and suing someone might be the last thing on your mind. However, to receive the compensation necessary to cover your medical expenses, you need to determine who is to blame.
That is where the experience of a Goose Creek dog bite lawyer can help.
Our lawyer can review your case, examine the details of the attack, and speak with other parties involved, including witnesses. Our lawyers may also determine that more than one party is to blame, which is common.
Claiming that multiple parties are responsible for your dog bite could help maximize the compensation you can recover.
Our lawyer’s goal is to hold the negligent party liable for the dog attack and your injuries, ensuring you have every opportunity to make a complete physical recovery. This often requires substantial sums of money to secure the medical treatment you need and deserve.
By working to collect compensation from the at-fault party, our lawyer helps you get back to your regular life and put this traumatic experience behind you.
Compensation Available After a Goose Creek Dog Attack
If a dog bites you and is deemed dangerous, and the owner was negligent, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical Bills: Covering the cost of immediate and ongoing medical treatment.
- Veterinary Bills: For any injured pets or farm animals.
- Lost Wages: For a time, you could not work while recovering from your injuries.
- Reduced Future Earning Potential: If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future.
- Physical Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain endured.
- Disfigurement: For any permanent disfigurement caused by the attack.
- Psychological Distress: For the emotional and psychological impact of the attack.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can help you determine who is responsible for your medical bills and other expenses after a dog bite, allowing you to seek the compensation you deserve.
Statute of Limitations for Dog Bite Claims in Goose Creek
In Goose Creek, the statute of limitations for filing a dog bite claim is generally three years from the date of the incident. This means that victims have three years from being bitten or attacked by a dog to initiate a lawsuit against the dog’s owner or other responsible parties.
Failing to file within this period can result in losing the right to seek compensation for injuries and damages.
It is important for dog bite victims to get legal representation quickly after the incident, as building a strong case requires time. Collecting evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and photographs of the injuries and the scene can be vital for establishing liability and proving damages.
There are exceptions to the three-year statute of limitations. For instance, if the victim was a minor at the time of the attack, the statute of limitations extends until three years after the victim’s 18th birthday.
Consulting with an experienced Goose Creek dog bite lawyer is essential to determine the specific statute of limitations applicable to your case and to ensure timely legal action.
How Much Is Your Dog Bite Case Worth?
Determining the exact value of a dog bite case in Goose Creek can be challenging, as each case is unique. The settlement amount can vary significantly based on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Generally, settlements in dog bite cases can range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars or even higher if the injuries are severe or permanent. An experienced dog bite attorney in Goose Creek can help you assess an appropriate settlement amount based on the specifics of your case and negotiate with the dog owner’s insurance company on your behalf.
It’s important to note that there is no guaranteed settlement amount, as each case depends on its facts and circumstances. Consulting with an experienced attorney can clarify what to expect and help ensure you receive fair compensation.
“Strict Liability” and Negligence in Goose Creek Dog Bite Cases
In Goose Creek, the dangerous dog statute imposes “strict liability” on dog owners for any medical expenses resulting from their dog’s attack. This concept of strict liability is pivotal in dog bite cases across the state.
If an animal is deemed dangerous, the owner must cover all medical costs resulting from an attack, even if the owner has taken reasonable steps to restrain or control the dog. This strict liability, however, only applies to medical expenses.
The victim must prove that the dog owner was negligent in recovering compensation for non-medical damages, such as pain and suffering. This often requires the expertise of experienced dog bite lawyers. Demonstrating negligence involves several key elements:
- Duty of Care: The victim’s attorney must establish that the dog owner had a duty of care to ensure the animal was restrained or otherwise controlled. For example, a dog owner should inform others if the dog has a history of aggressive behavior.
- Breach of Duty: The claimant, with the assistance of their lawyer, must prove that the owner breached this duty through carelessness or recklessness.
- Cause of Injury: The claimant must show that the dog owner’s negligence was the direct and proximate cause of the dog bite injury.
- Damages: The victim’s attorney must demonstrate that the dog bite caused the victim to sustain damages and losses.
An important aspect of negligence in Goose Creek dog bite cases is the expectation that an owner must warn others if their dog has a history of dangerous or aggressive behavior. Failure to do so constitutes negligence.
Consulting with our experienced dog bite lawyers in Goose Creek or other parts of South Carolina can help victims solve these legal complexities and pursue appropriate compensation for their injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Dog Bite Lawyers
After a dog bite, recovering can be a difficult task. Such an incident can cause trauma that disturbs you emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Insurance companies frequently use strategies to postpone or reject claims, and pet owners may attempt to place the blame on you.
Having a compassionate and knowledgeable dog bite attorney by your side is important during this challenging period. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we have the expertise and resources to investigate the incident, gather substantial evidence, and determine the extent of liability, whether it lies with the pet owner or other parties such as property owners.
You should be focusing on your recovery, not worrying about how to pay bills or cover medical expenses. Let our dedicated Goose Creek dog bite attorneys handle your case and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Do Contact us at (864) 664-3865. Alternatively, schedule a complimentary initial consultation via email to discuss your Goose Creek dog bite accident case and learn how we can help you!
FAQs:
- Do I Have to Report My Dog Bite?
If you have been bitten by a dog in Goose Creek, it is important to report the incident to the appropriate authorities. Reporting a dog bite helps protect public health by identifying aggressive or dangerous dogs and ensuring they receive proper training and safety measures.
In Goose Creek, it is required by law to report dog bites to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Failure to report a dog bite can result in legal consequences and may impact your ability to recover compensation for your injuries. With quick reporting and the assistance of an experienced dog bite lawyer, you can manage the legal process and seek compensation for your injuries.
- What Compensation is Available for Dog Injury Claims?
When bitten by a dog, you might expect to be compensated for medical costs resulting from the incident. However, other costs could be associated with such attacks, along with non-monetary damages. Our knowledgeable and experienced dog bite lawyer can help you secure compensation for damages such as:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Emotional trauma (leading to anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.)
- Pain and suffering
If you suffer severe injuries that lead to scarring, disfigurement, loss of limb, paralysis, and so on, you could be entitled to further compensation. In some cases, an argument can be made for the loss of enjoyment of life, depending on the severity of the attack and the lasting damage.
- What Is a Dog Attack?
Some people mistakenly believe it only counts as an attack if the dog bites someone. However, there are countless other ways dogs can cause injury to others. The owner could become liable even if the dog never makes physical contact.
For example, a dog could chase a small child, causing them to trip, fall, and hurt themselves. Similarly, a dog might jump up on an elderly person, causing them to fall and sustain severe injuries that prevent them from returning to work.
Consequently, a dog attack involves any adverse situation involving a dog. The details will determine whether the scenario and resulting injuries are eligible for personal injury claims or compensation. Only an experienced personal injury attorney can determine these outcomes.
- Can I Still Take Action if the Dog Owner Does Not Have Insurance?
You potentially have other options to recover damages. Dog bite injury claims differ from other cases because they can fall under more than one type of insurance.
If a dog owner owns a home, the claim will likely fall under their homeowners’ insurance coverage. However, it might also fall under a commercial property policy if they own a business. If the dog owner rents and carries renters’ insurance, their coverage might also benefit injury claims.
Our lawyers can evaluate the dog owner’s insurance policies and find where you might recover damages. If the dog owner has no coverage to pay for your claim, our lawyer will likely advise you to sue the dog owner directly to seek compensation for damages.
