843-479-2865
Even if you’re not a dog person, you likely recognize the joy their companionship and loyalty bring many, many people. If you’ve been injured by someone else’s dog, however, the matter is serious. Dog bites are susceptible to dangerous infections and can cause very serious injuries – especially to children. If you or someone you care about has suffered a dog bite, you shouldn’t delay retaining the skilled legal representation of an experienced Bennettsville dog bite attorney.
A Dog’s Bite
Dogs have incredibly strong jaws and jagged teeth that allow them to gnash, tear, and crush their areas of attack, which makes dog bites extremely dangerous. Dog bite injuries are prone to infection, often require a course of antibiotics, and can be very slow to heal. Further, dogs often attack their victims’ hands, which are carefully calibrated webs of muscles, bones, and tendons that can suffer immense damage. Finally, when the bite is on or near the face, it can leave the victim permanently disfigured.
It’s also important to note that dogs are difficult to predict. An animal who may never have shown aggression before can be incited to attack for reasons humans don’t understand. To make things more difficult still, some dogs show no warning prior to an attack.
The Law in South Carolina
Some states have what are called one-bite rules. When this is the case, the dog in question must have given its owner some reason to believe it was aggressive before they can be held legally accountable for any damage their pet causes. South Carolina, however, is not one of these states.
In South Carolina, dog owners can be held legally liable for the injuries their pets cause – even when the incident takes place on private property. Additionally, if you are injured by a dog that jumps on you and knocks you over – even if it doesn’t bite you – you’re covered in South Carolina. In other words, South Carolina takes its dog bite laws seriously, which means that, although the legal path forward is complex, there are fewer roadblocks in place regarding your ability to recover compensation for the full scope of your losses.
Every Dog Owners’ Responsibility
In South Carolina, every dog owner is bound by the strict liability the state imposes. This means that dog owners are obligated to keep their pets under close control by either confining them to their own yards or by leashing them. Dog owners can be held financially responsible when either of the following applies:
- The animal wasn’t leashed when it attacked someone in public.
- The animal attacked someone on their owner’s property – when no warning sign was posted.
Reach Out to an Experienced Bennettsville Dog Bite Lawyer Today
The knowledgeable Bennettsville dog bite attorneys at Douglas Jennings Law Firm recognize the challenges associated with dog bite claims but also have reserves of impressive experience obtaining beneficial claim outcomes for our valued clients, and we appreciate the opportunity to do the same for you. Reach out for more information by contacting us online or calling us at 843-479-2865 today.