Summerville Dog Bite Lawyer
Nobody expects to sustain serious injuries in a dog bite, especially when they are around a family dog or spending time with a friend or co-worker who has a pet. Yet studies routinely reveal that most dog bites involve dogs that are known to the person who is bitten. And in most dog bite cases in South Carolina, the dog owner will be liable for injuries from a dog bite regardless of whether they had previous knowledge of the dog’s propensity for violence. If you or your child sustained a dog bite injury, it is important to seek legal help. Contact our experienced Summerville dog bite lawyer today.
Getting the Facts About Summerville Dog Bites
How common are dog bites, and are some types of dogs more likely to bite than others? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are about 90 million dogs as pets in the United States, and more than 4.5 million people sustain dog bite injuries each year. Annually, there are more than 300,000 emergency department visits for dog bite injuries, and around 9,500 hospitalization. Approximately 30 deaths occur on an annual basis from dog bites.
A large number of injuries and fatalities involve children, yet adults also sustain dog bite injuries. Although any breed of dog can bite — and it is important to remember that there is no breed of dog where bites are completely preventable — more than 60 percent of reported bites involve pit bulls.
Injuries in Summerville Dog Bite Cases
Dog bites can cause a wide range of injuries, including but not limited to the following:
- Minor cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds;
- Severe cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds;
- Disfigurement;
- Traumatic amputations;
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs); and
- Bitten person did not provoke the dog.
Depending upon the severity of a dog bite incident, it may be necessary to seek immediate medical attention at an emergency department. Some people require hospitalization due to the severity of their wounds.
Summerville Dog Bite Liability
Who is responsible when a dog bites? South Carolina is a strict liability state as far as dog bite injuries go. What this means is that anyone who is bitten by a dog does not need to prove that the dog owner was negligent and does not need to show that there is any existing history of the dog’s propensity for violence in order for the owner to be liable. To be clear, the following elements are all that South Carolina law requires for an injured person to hold the dog owner liable:
- Injuries resulted from a dog bite;
- Dog bite occurred while the bitten person was in public or lawfully in a private place; and
- Bitten person did not provoke the dog.
Contact The Stanley Law Group Today
Dog bite injuries can be debilitating, and they can require extensive medical treatment. You should know that it may be possible to obtain compensation to help cover your losses and to pay for the care you need in the aftermath of a dog attack. Contact our experienced Summerville dog bite lawyer to find out more about your options for filing a claim.
