Orangeburg Dog Bite Lawyer
When a person is bitten by a dog and injured, it is important to learn about filing a dog bite lawsuit. Dogs bite for many different reasons, and in many cases, dog bites involve family pets. Much too frequently, dogs that have been living with friends or family members for years bite a small child and cause severe injuries. Whether you or your child sustained injuries in a dog bite incident, an attorney can help you with your case. Contact our experienced Orangeburg dog bite lawyer to find out more.
Getting the Facts About Dog Bite Injuries in Orangeburg
Dog bites happen more often than you might expect, and hundreds of thousands of people require treatment for dog bite injuries every year. The following facts and figures come from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA):
- About 4.5 million dog bites occur every year in the United States alone;
- More than 800,000 people, or 20 percent of all dog bite cases, require medical treatment for dog bite injuries;
- Approximately 50 percent of all people who sustain dog bite injuries are children;
- Kids are much more likely than adults to suffer severe or deadly dog bite injuries;
- Most child dog bite injuries occur while a child is engaged in “everyday activities” that involve dogs that are familiar to them;
- Any dog is capable of biting, and it is important to take steps to avoid injuries.
Liability for Orangeburg Dog Bite Injuries
State laws govern dog bit claims and liability. South Carolina is a strict liability state, which means that a dog owner will be liable for any bite regardless of its previous history of viciousness and regardless of whether the dog has ever bitten anyone in the past. As long as the person who suffered the dog bite injury was on public or private property lawfully when the dog bite occurred, the dog owner will be strictly liable for injuries.
With strict liability, to be clear, there is no need to prove that the dog owner was negligent. Merely owning the dog that bites can be enough for the dog owner to be liable for injuries.
Orangeburg Dog Bite Injury Prevention
Dog bites can be prevented in many circumstances. The AVMA recommends that you consider the following to avoid a serious dog bite injury:
- Ensure that any dog you are around has been properly socialized;
- Teach your kids about the appropriate ways to approach a dog;
- Avoid approaching or trying to pet a dog that is not with its owner, or when the owner does not give you permission to pet the dog;
- Never reach your hand through a fence to pet a dog;
- Do not approach a dog that is eating, sleeping, or with puppies;
- Be careful around a dog that is sick or is injured because it could be more likely to bite; and
- Never go near a dog that is growling or barking.
Contact The Stanley Law Group Today
Dog bites in South Carolina can result in debilitating and fatal injuries. If you or your child suffered injuries in a dog bite incident, it is important to find out more about filing a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Orangeburg dog bite lawyer to get started on your claim for compensation.
