South Carolina laws favor dog bite victims. South Carolina has laws that hold dog owners and handlers responsible for injuries caused by their dogs. Under the law, a dog owner or handler is liable for injuries caused by his or her dog, even if the dog’s owner or handler did not know or could not have known that the dog would inflict the injuries. Further, liability is not limited solely to the dog’s owner, but extends to all who have the dog in their care or keeping at the time of the attack, including the person actually handling the dog at the time of attack.
Q: Some time has passed since a dog bit me. Can I still try to get compensation?
A: Under South Carolina law, you have three years from the date of the injury to file for compensation because it can take some time to tally expenses or decide on legal action. Even if several months or years have gone by, you can still seek to recover the cost of lost wages, medical bills, and other damages. With that in mind, every minute is of the essence. You can contact the lawyers at Clawson and Staubes, LLC: Injury Group by calling (843) 720-0810 to start the time-sensitive process of seeking compensation.
Q: Does the location of the injury affect my claim?
A: South Carolina law reflects the fact that dog bites can happen in public and private places to innocent individuals. If you were anywhere in public or lawfully in a private place, you owe it to yourself to seek compensation. Even if you were in the dog owner’s home, you can still file a claim. If you are uncertain about whether you were in a location with full permission when the dog bit you, you should still contact a lawyer to review your options.
Q: What if the dog’s owner did not know the dog would bite me?
A: The liability laws for dog owners in South Carolina are quite strict. Even if the owner or the person caring for the dog was unaware of the risk, they were still responsible for ensuring the safety of other people coming into contact with the animal. Some states follow the “one-bite rule,” which means that owners can be held liable for a bite only if they knew in advance that there was a risk of danger—if, for example, the dog had previously bitten someone. South Carolina is not one of those states. You can look for compensation even if this was the first time the dog has exhibited aggressive behavior.
Q: How can I tell if it is worthwhile to pursue a claim?
A: It can be difficult to determine how much compensation you deserve in dog bite cases. However, an initial consultation with the lawyers at Clawson and Staubes, LLC: Injury Group is free. Our knowledgeable legal professionals can consider the details of your individual situation and help you decide whether you should pursue a claim.
At Clawson and Staubes, LLC: Injury Group, our attorneys have significant experience in handling dog bite cases. If you or a loved one was hurt by another person’s dog, our team can help you recover compensation for your injuries. To speak with an attorney at Clawson and Staubes, LLC: Injury Group about the events that led up to your accident, please call our offices at (843) 720-0810 today.