Have you or a loved one been bitten by a dog in Edgefield County, South Carolina? Don’t hesitate to call Hawk Law Group. You may have the opportunity to take legal action and demand compensation for your resulting medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering. Our Edgefield County dog bite lawyers are ready to help you demand accountability and fight for the maximum financial award you deserve.
At Hawk Law Group, we’re proud to offer top-tier legal representation to dog bite victims in Edgefield County, SC. As award-winning trial attorneys with over 71 years of collective experience, we’ve helped our clients win tens of millions in compensation – including some of the top verdicts in the state.
Today, we’re here to make a difference in your life as you work to recover from your dog bite injuries. Contact us to arrange a free, no-obligation case assessment to get started.
How Hawk Law Group Can Help If You’ve Suffered a Dog Bite in Edgefield County, SC
Is a dog’s owner automatically responsible for injuries caused by their dog? Can anyone else be held accountable? What evidence will you need to win your case? How can you be sure that any settlement offers you receive are fair? What if the owner or insurance company tries to say that you provoked the animal or caused the attack?
Take this time to focus on getting better. Let our Edgefield County personal injury lawyers handle the rest.
Count on our top-rated legal team to:
- Be available to answer questions about your case and keep you updated on the status of litigation throughout the claims process
- Promptly investigate your dog bite case
- Determine if the dog that bit you has a history of aggression and/or has bitten anyone in the past
- Gather vet records, complaints to the local animal control department, video footage of the incident, photographs of injuries and torn clothing, witness statements, police reports, and other evidence
- Enlist the help of highly qualified specialists as we identify your damages and determine what your dog bite case is likely worth
- Handle all administrative aspects of your case on your behalf, including preparing and filing claims with the insurance company and/or local court
- Aggressively pursue a maximum settlement during negotiations
- Represent you at trial if the dog’s owner and/or other parties refuse to accept responsibility for your injuries
Dog bites can be catastrophic. They can inflict incredible pain, prevent you from working, and interfere with your ability to live your life. Treatment for your injuries can also be costly – which can put you in a really difficult financial situation. Hawk Law Group is here to make things easier as you move forward.
We work on contingency. You don’t pay for our help unless our dog bite attorneys in Edgefield County, SC win your case.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our law office to set up a time for a free consultation. We’re here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Does South Carolina Have a One Bite Rule?
Some states have laws on the books that protect dog owners if their animals attack or bite another person. These are known as “one bite” laws and essentially say that a dog’s first big is free. Liability doesn’t attach automatically until the second time the animal is aggressive.
South Carolina does not have a one-bite rule. Instead, South Carolina Code Section 47-3-110 provides that a “dog owner or person having the dog in the person’s care or keeping is liable for the damages suffered by the person bitten or otherwise attacked.”
Liability attaches as long as the victim is lawfully on the premises and has not provoked the animal.
Can I Sue Someone Other Than a Dog’s Owner?
Yes. Liability isn’t just limited to a dog’s owner. In fact, many dog bite cases are a matter of premises liability.
In South Carolina, property owners are responsible for protecting guests from known risks or hazards.
If a property owner knows or should have reason to know that a dangerous dog is on the premises, they have a legal obligation to protect guests from getting hurt. If an owner fails to take adequate action, they can potentially be liable if that dog attacks someone and causes an injury or death.
Potentially liable parties might include a:
- Landlord
- Business
- Restaurant
- Doggy daycare center
- Hotel
- School
Hawk Law Group can help you evaluate your case and determine who, other than the dog’s owner, might be on the hook for your costs and suffering. If we determine that someone else’s negligence put you in harm’s way, we can aggressively seek financial accountability on your behalf.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Dog Bite Lawsuit in Edgefield County, SC?
South Carolina law gives you the option of bringing a dog bite lawsuit on one of two grounds: strict liability and/or negligence.
Strict liability refers to situations where a dog’s owner is automatically responsible for injuries caused by their animal, regardless of care taken to prevent an attack.
In these situations, you’ll have to prove:
- You were bitten by a dog owned by or under the control of the defendant
- You were lawfully on the premises at the time of the attack, and
- You did not provoke the animal.
As long as these things are true, the defendant will be legally responsible for your resulting damages.
You can also potentially bring a claim based on negligence – the owner’s or another party’s.
In these situations, you’ll have to prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached it in some way, and, as a result, caused you to get hurt.
Regardless of the basis for your lawsuit, you’ll need evidence to support your claim, such as:
- Video footage of the dog attack
- Proof that the dog was not properly leashed or housed behind a fence
- Medical records
- Veterinary records
- Prior complaints about the dog’s behavior or aggression
- Statements from witnesses to the dog bite
Our dog bite lawyers in Edgefield County have extensive experience handling complex legal matters like these. Benefit from our in-depth knowledge of South Carolina dog bite law and experience holding negligent dog owners accountable for devastating attacks. Call us for help putting together a compelling legal claim so that you can recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Common Dog Bite Injuries
Every year, roughly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs. More than half of these victims are children.
Some of the most commonly reported resulting injuries include:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Puncture wounds
- Soft tissue injury
- Broken bones
- Infection
- Illness and disease
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injury
- Chest injury
- Eye injury
- Blindness
- Amputation
- Degloving injury
- Catastrophic injury
- Wrongful death
Do not delay seeking medical treatment if you or a close family member have been bitten by a dog in Edgefield County, SC. Immediate attention to your wounds can reduce the risk of complications and prevent life-threatening infections. Your visit to the emergency room will also help to formally document your injuries and generate a critical piece of evidence for a future legal claim.
How Much is My Dog Bite Injury Case Worth?
Every dog bite victim will have a different story to tell. It’s the details of those stories that will drive the potential value of a related claim for damages.
- How old is the dog bite victim?
- Are the victim’s injuries debilitating?
- What specific injuries has the victim suffered?
- Can the victim continue to work?
- Has the dog attack shortened the victim’s life expectancy?
- Does the victim share responsibility for the dog attack in any way?
- What types of insurance benefits are available?
- How has the victim’s life changed since being attacked by the dog?
- Does the victim suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues?
The more of an impact the dog attack has on your life, the more you can generally expect to recover in a dog bite lawsuit. You can learn more about your rights – and increase the odds of a meaningful financial recovery – by calling our experienced Edgefield County dog bite attorneys for help today.
What Types of Damages Can Be Awarded to Edgefield County Dog Bite Victims?
Through an insurance claim or dog bite lawsuit, you can generally seek economic and non-economic damages for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and income
- Rehabilitation
- Disability
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Physical scarring
- Emotional distress
- Chronic physical pain
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
Expect the dog’s owner (and other liable parties) to try to downplay your injuries or blame you for the attack. When you’ve hired Hawk Law Group, you won’t have to worry about these tactics. Our dog bite attorneys in Edgefield County will dedicate the time necessary to build a compelling legal claim that highlights your damages and drives home just how much your life has changed since you were bitten by the dog. When it’s time to negotiate, we’ll be ready to force meaningful conversations and leverage a life-changing financial recovery on your behalf.
How Long Will I Have to Bring a Dog Bite Lawsuit in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a three-year statute of limitations that applies to dog bite lawsuits. This is true for cases resulting in personal injury or wrongful death.
You must file your legal claim before the applicable deadline expires. Once time runs out, you’ll be left to deal with the financial burdens of your dog bite on your own.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Edgefield County Dog Bite Lawyer
Call Hawk Law Group if you’ve been bitten by a dog in Edgefield County, South Carolina. You may be entitled to compensation, and our award-winning legal team is prepared to help you fight for every cent you deserve.
Our Edgefield County dog bite lawyers have 71+ years of combined experience and a proven ability to help clients win life-changing results. We’ve won tens of millions in settlements and jury awards. Today, let us stand up and fight for you.
Call now. Your first consultation is free.
