Being bitten by a dog can be a life altering experience for many people. Whether the dog was a personal pet, a friend’s, or a stranger’s, the accident leaves many people with PTSD in the aftermath.
Emotional damage is not the only damage that can be felt after being bitten. Hospital bills can also begin to stack up if the accident warrants a hospital visit for the victim.
If you have been the victim of a dog bite in South Carolina, here are some important factors that can influence your case:
Location of the Accident is Important
In order to have a claim against the pet owner, the accident has to have occurred on public property or private property the victim was lawfully on. In other words, those who trespass do not have the option of a dog bite claim when injured.
Injuries Do Not Have to be from Bites
Most accidents involving a dog are results of a bite but if there is another circumstance in which the dog is responsible for an injury, you still have grounds to file a claim. For example, if the dog runs and tackles a person to the ground, the injured person can file a claim against the pet owner for their injuries. Cases of emotional damage, particularly in children, can result from being cornered or otherwise threatened.
Do Not Tease The Dog
Injuries from a dog that has been provoked or teased may not be subjects for an Animal Bite Claim. The attack from the dog must be completely unwarranted for the victim to receive compensation for their injuries. There are exceptions in the case of children however, who are not held to the same standard of care as adults.
“One Bite” Law
In the state of South Carolina, the “One Bite” Law that many other states follow is not recognized. South Carolina follows a strict liability rule, where if you own or control the dog that bites or attacks, you are responsible for the damage caused. This means that even if the dog does not have a history of being violent and the dog owner had no way of knowing an accident would occur, they can still be held liable for their pet’s actions.
Animal Bite Injury cases are very complicated matters but our Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of experience in representing those who have been injured through no fault of their own. At Moorhead LeFevre, P.A., we are devoted to providing clients with the utmost level of competence, concern, and commitment. Please contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation for your Dog Bite Case in Anderson, SC.
ML Lawyers, P.A.
Helping Clients Throughout the Upstate of South Carolina
Personal Injury – Workers Compensation – Criminal Defense
Accident Lawyers located in Anderson, SC
Kirk Moorhead
Steve Lefevre
