An attack by a vicious dog is a terrifying event. You may require emergency medical care and reconstructive surgery. You may be traumatized and need counseling. Dog owners in South Carolina are legally responsible for the injuries their animals, cause. If you or your loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog in Lancaster or other surrounding communities of South Carolina, it is important to understand whether the dog owner can be held responsible. Talk to our Lancaster dog bite lawyers about your rights to seek compensation for your medical bills and other expenses related to the dog attack.

Dog bite attorney David Blackwell and the legal team at David Blackwell Law have advocated for dog bite victims and people injured in other types of personal injury accidents for many years. We understand the physical and emotional trauma a dog attack can cause and the disruption it can create. We represent good people who have suffered injuries caused by others’ carelessness or disregard for safety.  Our firm believes in supporting clients from the earliest moments after an attack and maintaining a connection even after the case has been resolved.

If you or a loved one has been attacked by a dog, you have a right under South Carolina civil law to seek compensation in certain circumstances. Contact an experienced Lancaster dog bite injury attorney at (803) 232-7274 or online today for a free consultation. We will evaluate the circumstances and details of the dog attack and explain whether filing a personal injury lawsuit is appropriate in your situation. If so, we will offer to represent you on a contingency fee basis. You will not owe any lawyer’s fee unless we secure compensation for you.

We serve clients across South Carolina, including Indian Land, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill.

What Should I Do if a Dog Bites Me?

  • If a dog bites or scratches you, you should try to remain calm.
  • Notify the owner of the dog bite promptly. The dog owner or keeper of the dog should confine the dog.
  • If the dog bite wound is bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound with a dry cloth until it stops.
  • Once the bleeding stops, wash the wound with warm, soapy water for several minutes. Dog saliva contains many contaminants that can lead to an infection. Apply first aid to the wound. Apply antibiotic ointment and dress the wound with a sterile bandage.
  • Contact your doctor and follow the guidance they provide. You should seek medical advice even if the bite appears minor.
  • Obtain the owner’s insurance information and contact information.
  • Ask the dog owner for a copy of the dog’s rabies vaccination records and the name of the dog’s veterinarian.
  • Contact the local animal county office and provide a description of the dog, the location where the attack occurred and the owner’s name, if you have it. Reporting the dog to the proper authorities can help to identify aggressive dogs and rabid dogs and prevent other people from being injured.
  • The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will investigate and make a determination whether the dog needs to be quarantined for observation. Pets and stray dogs that have never been vaccinated will need to be tested for rabies.
  • You should use your camera to take photos of your injuries. Photos will document your injuries and may be useful as evidence if you file a dog bite lawsuit.
  • You should contact an attorney who handles dog bite cases for an evaluation of your injury and discussion of your legal options. Taking advantage of a free consultation is a good way to inform yourself of your legal rights.

Can I Sue for a Dog Bite in South Carolina?

South Carolina law states that if an individual is bitten or attacked by a dog while the individual is in a public place or lawfully on private property, the dog owner is liable for the injuries.

The dog owner may be held legally responsible even if the owner was unaware of the dog’s viciousness or propensity to bite.

If a person taunts or provokes a dog into biting, then the dog owner or person in control of the dog is not liable.

The liability law does not apply to the  owners of police dogs that bite or attack command in the performance of the dog’s duties

What Types of Compensation Can a Dog Bite Lawsuit Provide?

South Carolina law allows the victim of a dog bite or attack to seek compensation from the dog owner who is liable for the injury. Through a personal injury lawsuit, the dog bite victim may seek compensation for:

  • Doctor and hospital bills
  • Physical therapy
  • Pain and suffering, emotional trauma
  • Counseling
  • Permanent disability
  • Lost income while you are out of work
  • Future lost wages if you cannot return to work
  • Property damage such as torn clothing

If you file a dog bite lawsuit against a dog owner whose dog bit you, the dog owner’s insurance company typically pays any monetary compensation. Homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies generally cover dog bite liability expenses.  The settlement of a dog bite claim can provide money to pay your medical bills and replace your lost wages if you have been unable to work.

Dog attacks and other dog-related injuries represented more than a third of all homeowners’ liability insurance claims in 2016, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). The average cost of a dog bite claim was $33,320, according to the institute.

The average cost of a settlement has increased more than 70 percent since 2003 due to increases in medical care costs and increases in the sizes of settlements and jury awards.