You may be entitled to compensation if you’ve recently been bitten or attacked by a dog in Aiken County, South Carolina. The Aiken County dog bite lawyers at Hawk Law Group can help you seek maximum damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering from the dog’s owner and other liable parties.
For years, Hawk Law Group has been a source of strength and support for dog bite victims and grieving families in Aiken County and throughout the State of South Carolina. As award-winning trial attorneys, we have a proven ability to take on these tough cases and win big for our clients.
Benefit from a team with 71+ years of experience that’s won tens of millions in settlement and jury awards. Call our law office in Aiken County, SC, to set up a free consultation now. Contact us at (803) 226-9089.
How Hawk Law Group Can Help if You’re Bitten by a Dog in Aiken County, SC
What kind of evidence will you need to prove your case? Who can be held accountable for your catastrophic dog bite injuries and the emotional trauma you’ve endured? What happens if the owner tries to say that you provoked the animal? How can you know if a settlement offer you get is fair?
Take this time to focus on recovering from your traumatic injuries. Let our Aiken County personal injury lawyer handle these -and other – tough issues on your behalf.
Our attorneys are experienced, respected litigators with a reputation for going above and beyond for clients like you. We understand that this is your one shot at recovering compensation, and we’re ready to do everything in our power to hold the animal’s owner fully accountable for the financial burdens and suffering you’ve endured.
Our lawyers have received recognition as “Super Lawyers”, “Rising Stars” and “Top Lawyers”, among other top legal directories such as Justia, and more.
Count on us to:
- Help you understand all of your legal rights and explore the best options for a financial recovery
- Launch an in-depth investigation into your dog bite case
- Analyze medical records, animal control records, video footage, eyewitness statements, photographs, and other evidence related to your dog bite
- Work closely with respected medical professionals, animal behaviorists, rehabilitation specialists, and other experts as we build your case
- Defend against claims that you provoked the dog or share responsibility for your injuries
- Pursue a maximum settlement during negotiations with the dog’s owner, their insurance company, and other parties
We’ll be ready to reject lowball settlement offers and bring your case to trial in Aiken County, SC, if necessary.
Contact our law office in Aiken County to learn more about our legal representation and contingency fee services. There’s no cost to hire our personal injury law firm unless we win your case.
How Common Are Dog Bites in South Carolina and Throughout the United States?
Data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs across the country every year.
Roughly 800,000 dog bite victims suffer injuries severe enough to warrant emergency medical treatment.
Unfortunately, children are in the middle of many of these dog bite cases. Not only are children more susceptible to catastrophic and life-changing dog bite injuries than adults, but they’re also more likely to be bitten. Kids account for nearly half of all reported dog bite cases annually.
In South Carolina, 307 dog bite claims were filed statewide in 2019. In total, these claims were worth more than $13.71 million. This highlights just how catastrophic and financially devastating dog bites in South Carolina can be.
Does South Carolina Have a One Bite Rule?
No. South Carolina does not have a dog-owner-friendly “one bite” rule.
A one bite rule essentially says that a dog’s first bite is free. Under the rule, liability doesn’t attach until the dog’s owner knows or should reasonably know that the dog has a history of aggression.
South Carolina embraces a much more victim-friendly approach to dog bite litigation.
Dog owners can be strictly liable for injuries caused by their canines, regardless of the dog’s history of aggression. Strict liability means that the owner is on the hook for damages despite efforts taken to prevent a bite from happening.
What Do I Have To Prove To Win My Dog Bite Injury Claim in Aiken County?
Since South Carolina is a strict liability state for dog bites, victims simply have to prove that:
- They were bitten by a dog owned by the defendant, and
- The victim was lawfully on the premises at the time of the attack.
You may also have to prove that you didn’t provoke the dog. The dog’s owner can raise this as a defense to your claim.
Negligence as a Basis for Liability
You can also potentially recover damages for a dog bite based on negligence. Through a negligence action, you would have to prove that a party owed you a duty of care, breached it in some way, and that their actions caused you to get bitten by the dog and suffer injuries.
Most often, negligence dog bite actions are brought against property owners, landlords, businesses, and other third parties who may have a duty to protect you from reasonably foreseeable animal attacks.
Our dog bite attorneys in Aiken County can help you exhaust every legal option and strategy as we fight for maximum financial recovery.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Dog Bite Victims in Aiken County?
As the victim of a dog bite in South Carolina, you may have the right to recover compensatory damages through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Compensatory damages include economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are awarded to make up for the financial losses and burdens related to your dog bite, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disability
- Nursing care
- Rehabilitation
- Funeral expenses
Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for the difficult-to-value life changes you experience as a dog bite victim, such as:
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
You may also qualify to receive punitive damages if your dog bite lawsuit goes to trial in Aiken County. Under South Carolina state law, punitive awards can be issued if there’s evidence that the defendant’s conduct was “willful, wanton, or in reckless disregard of [your] rights.”
Hawk Law Group will work closely with respected experts and specialists as we build and value your dog bite injury case. With their help, we can construct arguments and provide evidence that helps you maximize your recovery.
Common Dog Bite Injuries in Aiken County, SC
Dog bite injuries can be catastrophic, especially when the victim is a child.
Our dog bite injury lawyers in Aiken County advocate for clients who have suffered:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Amputation
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Soft tissue damage
- Crush injury
- Infection and disease
- Wrongful death of a family member after a fatal dog attack
Always prioritize medical care after you’ve been attacked by a dog. Getting to the closest hospital in Aiken County can help to reduce the risk of complications and ensure that all of your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated. Your visit will also generate an important piece of evidence for your future legal claim. Your medical record can help to establish a causal link between the dog bite and your trauma.
What’s the Statute of Limitations for South Carolina Dog Bite Injury Lawsuits?
In South Carolina, you will typically have a three-year window to file a dog bite injury lawsuit.
The statute of limitations begins to run on the date you were bitten by the dog or the date of a loved one’s wrongful death.
If your child was bitten by a dog in South Carolina, they’ll have until their 19th birthday to formally take legal action against the owner or another liable party.
Don’t let the deadline expire without filing a legal claim for damages. Once time runs out, you will forfeit the opportunity to recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Aiken County Dog Bite Lawyers
The aftermath of a dog bite can be confusing and stressful. You don’t have to navigate this difficult time in your life on your own. Call Hawk Law Group and discover how our top-rated Aiken County dog bite attorneys can help you assert your rights and maximize your financial recovery.
When you choose Hawk Law Group, you send a clear message to the dog owner and other liable parties that you’re not walking away with less than your dog bite case is worth.
Call our law office serving Aiken County, SC, to arrange a time for your free case evaluation today. We’re always here to help – 24/7/365.
