
Animal Bites/Dog Bites
Our Personal Injury Lawyers are experts at helping you claim after a dog bite injury.
While dogs are referred to as man’s best friend, they can unexpectedly become violent, and being attacked leaves both physical and emotional scars on victims. Being bit by a dog is a horrific and traumatic experience, and statistics show that 1 in 73 people will be bitten by a dog in the United States, with children between the ages of 5 and 9 making up the majority of victims.
The CDC estimates that approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur annually and 20% of those bites become infected, which can lead to long term hospital treatment along with physical and emotional therapy.
When navigating the aftermath of a dog bite you need a law firm that is experienced in helping victims recover damages both economic and non-economic.
Economic – Medical Costs, Lost Wages due to Missing Work, Future Loss of Wages
Non- Economic – Pain and Suffering, Emotional Distress, and Punitive Damages
We know that receiving the right amount of compensation can make all the difference in providing you with the support you need during recovery, and we will work hard to recover it for you.
We use our years of experience to stand up for your rights, and recover the compensation you deserve. For free and impartial advice, contact us today.
Dog Bite Accidents in Anderson, South Carolina
In South Carolina dog owners can be held liable if:
- The victim was on public property.
- The injuries were caused when the dog bites or “otherwise attacks” the victim.
- The victim did not tease or provoke the dog.
“Otherwise attacks” refers to any injury in which the dog is to blame. For example, knocking over a person while he/she walks on a public sidewalk and causing bodily harm.
South Carolina does not follow the “one bite” law like many other states, which means dog owners are liable for injuries caused by their dogs even if the animal does not have a history of being aggressive.
Hiring an Attorney after a Dog Bite Injury
In South Carolina, a victim of a dog bite has a total of three years to file a claim after the date of the attack, so do not delay in building your case. Speaking to a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury will insure that the details are still fresh and will help our team build the best case possible for you. There are certain defenses a dog owner may take during a lawsuit so having an experienced lawyer on your side to represent you is crucial to the success of your claim.
Possible Defenses of Dog Bite Injury Claims:
Provocation: A dog owner may claim that you teased, poked, or angered their dog in some way to incite an attack. Provocation of the dog releases the dog owner from liability for the attack.
Trespassing: Law states that an injured person must be on public property, or lawfully on private property, such as delivering mail or visiting the dog owner by invitation, in order for a dog owner to be held liable for the attack. If an injured person was trespassing during their injury then the dog owner is not liable.
Receive Proper Legal Advice to receive your Injury Compensation with Moorhead LeFevre, P.A.
Dog Bite Injuries can be life changing experiences. In the wake of one you need to focus your time and attention on recovery, but you don’t want to become the victim of an insurance company trying to reduce the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys use their experience, knowledge and resources to reach a fair resolution on your behalf. Once we learn about your situation, we can start to build your case immediately.