How can an attorney from Hughey Law Firm help me with my South Carolina dog bite case?
An attorney can provide valuable services to help you with your dog bite case, such as: An estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur in the U.S. each year, and around 800,000 of those bites will require medical treatment. If a vicious dog injured you, you can trust the experienced attorneys from Hughey Law Firm to provide […]
If I was bitten by a South Carolina dog while I was working, do I file a personal injury claim or a workers’ compensation claim?
It depends on the facts of your case, so call us for more information. Generally, if the bite occurred during the normal scope of duties required by your employment—such as if you were a mail carrier delivery driver required to enter a property to make a delivery—then you would likely seek workers’ compensation benefits. Mail […]
What sort of criminal liability might a person face for a South Carolina dog that bites someone?
Criminal liability and civil liability are two very different things. The government prosecutes criminal cases with penalties including potential incarceration upon a conviction. A conviction requires guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Injured parties pursue civil cases, which do not seek—beyond awarding punitive damages in some cases—to punish the defendant, but rather to hold responsible parties […]
What happens to dogs in South Carolina that bite someone?
If a dog bite occurs in South Carolina, someone must report it to the state’s Department of Health and Environmental Control or the county health department. Generally, the physician who treats the injury will file this report. The report activates a law enforcement investigation to track down the dog’s owner and ensure that the dog […]
Is there any occasion when a dog bites someone in South Carolina, and the dog owner is not liable for the injuries?
Yes. Despite South Carolina’s strict liability for dog bites, there are several exceptions in which the dog owner would not face liability, such as:
I was injured in South Carolina by an aggressive dog that knocked me over but didn’t bite me. Is the owner liable?
Yes. South Carolina’s law states that dog owners are liable if their dog bites “or otherwise attacks” a person. An attack can involve any aggressive behavior, including biting, clawing, or knocking an individual to the ground.
What is the time limit to file a dog bite lawsuit in South Carolina?
Generally, the time limit to file a dog bite lawsuit in South Carolina is three years after the injury date. However, this deadline “tolls” or extends if the case involves a child victim whose parents do not file a lawsuit on their child’s behalf. In cases involving a dog bite resulting from a dog used […]
What damages are available to me through a South Carolina dog bite lawsuit?
Damage is a term that refers to a payment made for harm caused. South Carolina allows dog bite victims to seek both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to a payment made for the out-of-pocket expenses that you incurred as a result of your injury. Common expenses included in a damage claim are: Non-economic […]
How are South Carolina dog bite claims paid?
Generally, the dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy pays dog bite claims. Most homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies will provide coverage for dog bite injuries, and most of these policies have limits between $100,000 to $300,000. If the expenses exceed that amount, the homeowner must cover the remainder. However, some insurers will not provide coverage […]
How do I obtain compensation for my South Carolina dog bite injuries?
Individuals injured by a dog bite or attack in South Carolina can pursue compensation relating to the expense and impacts of their injuries through a lawsuit filed in civil court within three years of the dog bite. The claim seeks to show not only who caused the injury but also place a dollar amount on […]
What is strict liability in a South Carolina dog bite case?
When it comes to state laws pertaining to dangerous or aggressive dogs, some states—including South Carolina—hold dog owners strictly liable for the injuries caused by their dogs, while other states follow a “one-bite” rule. Strict liability means that the property owner is liable for injuries caused to others by the dog, even if the owner […]
Can a child receive compensation for a dog bite injury?
Yes. Children are among the most frequent victims of dog bites and can recover compensation for their injuries. When a child is the victim, a parent or legal guardian pursues the claim on their behalf. In these cases, courts take the long-term impact of scarring and psychological harm on children seriously.