Mt. Pleasant Dog Bite Attorney

Dogs are beloved members of many South Carolina families. Unfortunately, some of them will bite someone. Dog bites have the potential to be devastating, even deadly.

Dog owners are responsible for any harm caused by their dog. If you or a loved one have been bitten by a dog, you should be compensated for your injuries and damages. An experienced Mt. Pleasant dog bite attorney can advise you on how best to do this and help navigate what is often a difficult situation.

Dog Bite Statistics

There are 90 million dogs living in 50 million households within the United States. Every year, dogs cause around 4.5 million bite injuries. Many of these are not serious and do not require professional medical attention but around 12 percent of these bites necessitated treatment in the emergency room.

Children are especially vulnerable to dog bites and their injuries tend to be worse. Kids are loud and active and more likely to scare or upset a dog. They are also less likely to notice the dog’s body language or other warning signs that it is ready to bite. Risk of being bitten peaks for kids ages three and four years old.

Dog Bites Can Be Serious

A dog might give a small nip that barely breaks the skin or a bite that becomes serious, even fatal. Dogs have powerful jaws, with around 250 pounds per square inch of bite force on average. This varies from breed to breed but no matter what the dog is like, it is capable of causing major damage.

Depending on where the dog bites, broken skin, tissue damage and broken bones are all common. Another concern with a dog bite is infection. Because a dog’s teeth are long and sharp, they create puncture wounds that are harder to clean. The transfer of bacteria from inside the mouth of the dog to the bite area can easily cause a major infection.

Infection is one reason why it is important to seek medical attention immediately after being bitten by a dog. Watch for redness, especially red streaks running away from the bite, tenderness and warmth to the touch in the area of the wound.

Moreover, a dog does not need to bite to cause serious damage. Dogs can jump and make a person fall. They can cause infection with a scratch. An attack that causes an injury to become a valid claim for a case.

Who Is Liable?

In South Carolina, dog owners are responsible for keeping their dogs under control at all times. The owner is liable for any injury caused by their pets regardless of whether or not they knew that it was capable of biting or acting aggressively or if it had previously bitten a person once before. Except for in cases of trespassing or when the dog was being provoked before it attacked, the law favors the victim.

Some of the potential damages dog bite victims can seek:
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage (if applicable)
• Permanent disability
• Pain and suffering

What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Dog

There are steps to take immediately after a dog attack which can increase your chances of being compensated for your injuries. It is important to have well documented evidence of the attack and your injuries even if you are unsure of how you will ultimately proceed.

• Get appropriate medical attention and follow all prescribed treatments — seek professional evaluation even if you think your injuries are minor. Infection and severe damage can develop with time.
• Photograph your injuries. Proper documentation is essential.
• Notify the owner of the dog if they are not aware of the incident already.
• Get names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the attack.
• Report the incident to the local police and/or animal control, especially if you feel the dog continues to be a danger to other people.
• Contact an experienced dog bite attorney.

Mt. Pleasant Dog Bite Attorney

The damage that can be caused by a dog attack injury cannot be overstated. These devastating injuries can be life changing and if you or a loved one have experienced this you deserve to be fairly compensated for the damages incurred.

The dog bite attorneys of Steinberg Law Firm can help you navigate your claim as you recover from this difficult situation. Schedule your free consultation and speak with a Steinberg Law Firm attorney who can answer any of the questions you have. With offices in North Charleston, Goose Creek and Summerville we serve Mt. Pleasant and surrounding areas. Call 843-720-2800 for an appointment.