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Dogs are popular pets and are considered by many people to be members of their family. However, in the blink of an eye, a dog can inflict a bite wound on an adult or child and cause serious injury. A dog bite can be very painful and often result in bacterial infection and scarring.
If you or a loved one were severely injured due to a negligent pet owner, do not hesitate to speak with a Bluffton dog bite lawyer and see whether there is a viable claim for compensation. Depending on where and how the bite happened, a skilled personal injury attorney may be able to hold the owner of the animal accountable for your injuries and damages. Dog owners in South Carolina are strictly liable for injuries their animals cause, meaning victims do not have to prove owner negligence or show that a dog owner had any prior knowledge of their dog’s aggressive tendencies.
State Dog Bite Law
Dog bites and other dog-related injuries that take place in South Carolina are governed by S.C. Code § 47-3-110. According to this statute, a dog owner can be held liable for any injuries caused by their animal only if all of the following conditions are met:
- The plaintiff sustained injuries when the defendant’s dog bit or otherwise attacked them
- The plaintiff was either in a public place or lawfully on private property
- The plaintiff did not provoke the animal, such as by throwing objects at it
A knowledgeable Bluffton dog bite lawyer may be able to help injured claimant’s recover compensation if they sustained injuries due to an animal attack. For example, the dog may have pounced on them causing them to fall to the ground and suffer an injury.
Dog owners in South Carolina are strictly liable for any injuries their animals cause. This means that a plaintiff in a dog bite lawsuit likely will prevail even if the animal’s owner took reasonable precautions to prevent it from attacking someone. Some states, by contrast, follow the one-bite rule, which requires the plaintiff to show that the defendant either knew or should have known about their dog’s dangerous propensities.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
While some dog bites are superficial, others can be devastating or even fatal.
Puncture Wounds
Puncture wounds from a dog do not always bleed profusely, although there is always the risk of serious infection. Anyone with a dog bite puncture wound should promptly seek medical attention and take all prescribed medications.
Infection
As dogs can be covered with soil, animal waste, and other unclean materials, there is always the risk that these can be transferred to a wound during a dog attack. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are especially prone to being infected in this way.
Nerve Damage
A dog that bites or otherwise attacks a human being can easily damage nerves in their arms, legs, face, or neck. This can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues.
Psychological Trauma
It is an unfortunate fact that dog attacks disproportionately affect young children, who account for more than 50 percent of all victims. It is common for such victims to suffer nightmares, a fear of dogs, a fear of going outside, and other forms of often debilitating psychological trauma.
Contact a Bluffton Dog Bite Attorney Today
Being bitten or attacked by a dog can be a frightening ordeal and one that can leave you forced to cope with serious injuries. Contact a Bluffton dog bite lawyer at Schiller & Hamilton today for information on whether you may be eligible for damages under the South Carolina dog bite statute.