Lexington Dog Bite Lawyer
Having a dog is common in today’s America. In fact, over ⅓ of all households in our country host at least one canine. And what’s more, many will gladly tell you that a dog is their favorite animal, and that their dog is more than a pet, but instead considered to be a member of the family.
While our Lexington dog bite lawyers love dogs, we also know that dogs can be dangerous, too. We’ve helped victims of dog bites recover compensation for damages following a dog attack, and are here to serve you if you’re a dog bite victim.
Dog Bite Law in South Carolina
States usually approach dog bite rules in one of two ways: strict liability rule or “one bite” rule. In a one bite rule state, a dog essentially gets one “free” bite before its owner can be held liable for damages, as an owner should have known of the dog’s propensity for aggression in regards to any secondary or subsequent attacks. In a strict liability state, on the other hand, a dog’s owner can be held liable for damages regardless of whether or not the owner had prior knowledge of the dog’s viciousness. South Carolina is a strict liability state.
To be sure, as found in South Carolina Code of Laws Section 47-3-110, a person who is bitten or otherwise attacked by a dog in a public place or in a private place where they are lawfully allowed to be can hold the dog’s owner strictly liable for any damages that result. This is true unless:
- The victim was harassing or provoking the dog at the time of attack; and
- The dog was working with law enforcement.
Defenses to Dog Bite Liability
As the victim of a dog bite in South Carolina or another injury caused by a dog (i.e. a dog jumps up and knocks you down), you can bring a claim against the dog’s owner without proving the dog owner’s negligence, so long as you were not trespassing and not provoking the dog at the time of the attack. A dog’s owner could escape liability by claiming that you:
- Had no right to be on the property at the time of the attack; or
- You were teasing or harassing the dog at the time of the attack.
How Our Lexington Dog Bite Attorneys Can Help
If you have been bitten by a dog in South Carolina, our lawyers can help you by:
- Calculating your damages related to the bite;
- Explaining the difference between a strict liability claim and a negligence-based claim;
- Filing a claim against the dog owner, dog owner’s liability insurance, etc.; and
- Negating any defenses to dog bite liability brought against you.
We have experience handling claim like yours and understand best practices for recovering your maximum compensation award.
Call Our Law Office Today
To request a free consultation with our Lexington dog bite attorneys at The Stanley Law Group, please call us directly today or send us a message telling us more about your situation and the damages you have incurred. We are here to serve you.
